Most people want the best for their children and hope that they will remain happy and healthy throughout their lives. However, this is not always the case, and some children, just like adults, are disabled. If you are the parent of a disabled child, this can be scary, overwhelming, and stressful. Then, here is a quick guide that can take you through the basics of caring for a disabled child.

1.   Find a Good Doctor

A good doctor will be able to give you the right diagnosis for your child and do all they can to ensure that their standard of living is extremely high. They will be able to give you pastoral support, including therapy for you, and refer you to alternative and specialist therapies that might be able to help your child as they grow up.

A good doctor will have knowledge of the latest therapies that could help your child, and will check in as much as possible to ensure that you feel as if you are not alone during your journey. This will also take some of the stress off you, meaning that you do not have to push and advocate for your child’s welfare as much as you would if you had a doctor whose opinion you did not trust.

2.   Make Your Home Accessible

Your child should feel just as comfortable in your home as you do. Remember, it is their home as well. To ensure that your child feels fully independent at home and that they are able to navigate it just as well as their brothers or sisters, you should consider making your home accessible right from the very start.

This can include adding in grab rails and a wet room. Most importantly, though, if you have a two-storey house, you should look into a wheelchair lift for your child. In some circumstances, you may be able to get help with the costs of these adaptations.

3.   Speak to the School

You also need to make sure that any school that your child goes to has the correct policies in place to provide an inclusive and accessible environment for all. In some cases, you may need to speak to them about your child’s specific needs. If your child is not happy and struggling at school, you might look for schools that provide specialist support for those with disabilities, or you could decide to go one step further and homeschool your child. However, if you are homeschooling, you should look into extracurricular clubs that can allow them to make friends and socialize.

4.   Look at Your Finances

Your financial situation can be difficult when you have a disabled child, especially if you are unable to work due to the level of care that they need. If this is the case, you should look at the money that you could receive from the government for childcare and even your car. This can allow you to stay afloat while focusing on your child, ensuring that you can give them the best care and childhood possible.