Strengthening Families, Empowering Children with Special Needs

By Diane Landsberg

 Being a parent is both the most rewarding and challenging role you can ever have. If you are a parent of a child with “special needs,” you are in great need of consistent support and assistance. If we are to provide the highest level of care to these special children, we must first support their parents. When parents and families are cared for, the child has the opportunity to truly thrive.

Families often experience judgment, opinions, and unsolicited advice. There is no single solution, as each special child is unique and requires different forms of support. Connecting families to resources can play a critical role in pointing them toward reputable organizations. Miami Kids Magazine conducts ongoing research on this topic and regularly shares advice, studies, and valuable information about important local, state, and national resources.

Children with special needs often require countless appointments and therapies. Without assistance, parents are forced to navigate this journey alone while trying to secure the best resources for their child. Financial aid and respite care can greatly lighten the burden parents are asked to carry. Providing transportation, meals, or child care for siblings are all forms of help that are deeply needed and appreciated.

Parents must also focus on self-care. As we are reminded every time we fly: “If loss of cabin pressure occurs and oxygen masks drop down, place your mask on yourself first before assisting others.” The same principle applies here. Parents must prioritize their own well-being in order to better care for their child. It is important to ask for and accept help from friends and family—but too often, parents only hear the vague offer, “Let me know how I can help.” What they truly need are specific acts of kindness. For example, tell them you will handle carpool next week, bring dinner on Tuesday evening, or take their other kids for a Saturday night sleepover. These thoughtful gestures go a long way.

It’s also essential to remember that siblings of special needs children often feel neglected, jealous, or even embarrassed. These are all normal feelings but can add to the family’s challenges. Offering extra care and attention to siblings can provide balance and ease tension in the household.

Friends and extended family play a vital role. What these parents need most is compassion, concern, kindness, and understanding—never judgment. Simply knowing that someone is there for them can make an immeasurable difference.