Richard Engel writes, “Kids with special needs are not OK right now. Neither are parents. Let’s drop the act that this pandemic affects us all equally.”
I second that. Checking in my my friends who have special needs kids, it’s clear that they’re operating in a different stratosphere. It’s one thing to keep your preschooler occupied 24-7, but it’s another thing entirely to keep your special needs child occupied and engaged and safe from harming himself or others 24-7. That means constant vigilance at all times. Without school. Without help from outside caregivers. Without regular therapy sessions. Without respite. And without any end in sight. It’s draining physically and mentally and it’s taking a toll on parents and children.
Reach Richard Engel’s article here.
We may all be in this together but it’s clear that some of us can use a hand. If you know a special needs parent, please think about what you can do to lighten their load. It may be as simple as checking in with a phone call and listening to them vent or more concrete like dropping off a meal. From the looks of things, we unfortunately have a long way to go before this pandemic is over. Please look out for one another.
I’m a Grandmother and Guardian of my 8 year old amazing little boy with special needs. We have been home together now for over 6 months with very limited contact with the outside world. The meltdowns have increased, my patience is very thin and that only escalates the problem. Therapy session once a week on zoom is doing little to no good. People need people and children with special needs go to public schools for the much needed social skills learnIng through experience how to navigate the world. My anxiety is up, my little guy is anxious about everything right now and oh boy his obsessesIons. We are in California in the middle of a heat wave and here in the Central Valley we are surrounded by fires. Our air is unhealthy and ashes are falling from the sky all day long. The smell of smoke and fire is so strong and my little guy can’t stand for a door to be opened before he runs to shut it so the fire doesn’t come in. Daily he’s more than bothered that we are in fire season and he continues to ask God in prayer Everyday to “please just make these fires go away”. I think I may just do the same I’ll say a little prayer for all the parents struggling and the children who desperately need better days ahead.
So many challenges all at one time. May you and your family stay safe.