Parents are often their own toughest critics. When the idyllic picture of what we thought our family would look like is a stark contrast to what the reality is, we add on even more stress by feeling guilty about what we did or didn't do in a a sea of very complex situations. For parents of special needs children, these instances are magnified, but they are recurring thoughts of every parent, nearly every day. Break the cycle of guilt for your sake and for the sake of your child.

Parents may often feel challenged when raising a child with special needs. But when there are other children in the family and that special-needs child has a sibling, parents often feel even greater stress when trying to give both children the time, support, and attention they need.

There are countless books on parenting, but nothing fully prepares you to be the parent of YOUR child. Every child is different, every situation is different, and every day can be different than the last. For parents of children with special needs, this is surely the case. There is no manual for how to handle meltdowns, rage episodes, and aggressive behavior and there is no clear cut answer to how you should FEEL about your children during these times of struggle.

Parents with children on the Autism Spectrum often feel isolated from their community. Very often good friends and even close family members stop visiting the home, inviting the family out or calling and checking in. On top of what parents are dealing with in order to get the right diagnosis and treatment plans for their child, parents feel confined to their homes and alone in their journey.

An Individualized Education Plan takes time to create and implement, often requiring a year or more of testing, meetings, and decision-making to determine appropriate educational instruction and supports for a student with special needs. When Angie digs into the process, she learns more about education than she ever thought possible, and wades through bureaucracy, advocating for her son.

Parents may often grow frustrated when their child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder becomes increasingly defiant over a necessary daily task, such as teeth brushing, bathing, or getting out of bed in the morning. Before frustration reaches a boiling point, or resorting to punishment, parents can work together with their child to understand and express each other’s concerns and come up with a solution that works for everyone involved.