Caring for a child with special needs can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with unique challenges that can lead to significant stress for parents.
A UNICEF report published in 2021, suggests that 240 million children worldwide live with disabilities, and that figure is increasing by the day .
Russ Solomon is a music therapist and a parent to a neurodiverse son with anger issues, sensory issues, and ADHD. He is also a wellness mentor who helps parents of children with special needs, to eliminate stress, deepen their connection with their kids in a peaceful way, create harmony at home, and ignite their children’s potential.
His motivation to help parents stems from his own experiences growing up with relatives who had cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and developmental delays. He witnessed his relatives struggling to cope with their family members, which inspired him to support other parents in similar situations.
We discussed the triggers that cause parents to struggle and feel overwhelmed, particularly when they believe they must sacrifice their careers to care for their neurotypical children.
Russ says parents need to become knowledgeable about their children’s condition to reduce anxiety. Additionally, he suggests that parents simplify and delegate daily routines, using adaptive technologies to assist in daily care and empower their neurotypical children. He emphasizes that parents should prioritize their own health and well-being by getting enough sleep, eating well, and finding time for activities they enjoy. He believes that having a positive mindset, focusing on the positives, and celebrating small victories can make a big difference in managing stress. He also advises seeking professional help when feeling overwhelmed and advocates for finding therapists and counsellors who can offer strategies to cope with stress and improve mental health, as well as accepting help from friends and family to lighten their care responsibilities.
Russ is available for consultation at http://intuneparents.com/
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