by John Campbell

Created on: June 18, 2008

When you are the parent of a Special Needs Child/Developmentally Challenegd Child there is a great deal of unsurety how developmental changes will occur on a daily, weekly,monthly or even a yearly basis. If you, as the caregiver, have the determination to see that the child develops to their optimum ability, you must be able to guide and lead your child into and out of life's every day situations at home and away from home as well, and that path of leading and guiding is not an easy one to follow.

Initially, you may waste time beating yourself up and placing the blame for your childs condition where it does not need to be...on you. Life is not fair and that is a given, and all too many times, events take place that have no defining point of origin, and you must take those events and make the very best of them. It is also a given that as the parent of a developmentally challenged child that you are scared, confused and not a little angry, but you must put that fear, that anger and confusion aside and get your focus on the childs development. Nothing else matter.

You can take a modicum of comfort from the fact that there are resources out there to help you and your child. There are faith based support groups, and there are secular support groups, you must choose which ever one best suits your needs and personality. There are also organized resource groups that have teaching and nursing staff on hand twenty four seven and ther are also organized resource groups that have group homes and developmental technicians if, you as the parent, decide that you cannot care for your child because of overwhelming financial or emotional problems.

There are also resources that can educate you on a one to one basis with home visits, literature and guidance to support groups if you decide to take the reins in hand and not place your child in a group home.

No one person can say what is best for you, your family or your child, and do not allow yourself to be swayed by well intentioned suggestions, or apprehensive family members or friends. You as the caregiver, can be the only one to decide what is best for you and your child, and that decision is not easy and cannot be made lightly.

Admittedly, training at home is difficult, and often frustrating, but, the shining, defining moments`come when a breakthrough with a particular set goal or developmental skill is reached by your child. Those shining, defining moments offset the frustration and setbacks and difficulties. Love, patience and

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