Special needs children- speaking sensitively

[Mypark]

Parents of children with special needs-

How can family and friends support you more?

What is helpful?
What is supportive?

Please no negativity. Just what you would like from those around you.

Thank you so much for listening on this thread, it means a lot

Don't harp on about 'cures' or treatments and have we tried xyz, sometimes (all the time), we are exhausted. And when we try something new, it gives us hope. And when it doesn't work, it's depressing

I always try to ask a parent "What are you proud of about your child? What are they good at? What do they like? " Positivity is always best, I think. Certainly true from personal experience.

This is a great image showing what we have to put up with from other people. Try not to say these sorts of things! And don't offer solutions just listen.

@CMTCP yes, I think that's what won it for me yesterday, apart from a wonderful mum.

@paradyning that's a brilliant picture!

Don’t minimise issues or compare to others.

examples;
he will talk when he’s ready
he just likes being on his own
aunties postman’s next door neighbours teachers friend has autism and he’s a barrister

@CMTCP

I hated being asked what I'm proud about as when we were having a particularly difficult time as a family as when your child is routinely violently attacking you and their siblings, refusing to leave the house and controlling EVERYTHING because their anxiety is through the roof or they have unidentified or unmet needs -proud is the last thing you are feeling but it's highly unlikely an outsider would know those things were happening

My advice would be remember my child is entitled to their privacy -you don't need to know everything about their lives so if I'm skirting a subject back off

If I'm telling you that I'm finding it hard then I don't need reminding that it is harder for my child -I know that, I witness it everyday, so please recognise that if I'm asking for help or saying things are hard, then it's bordering on impossible to keep going and translate that as 'hello is on her knees, perhaps offer her a coffee'