It has been said that a worried mother does better research than the FBI. This is especially true of mothers of a child with special needs. They want to know about their child’s disability, what treatment is most effective and how they can support their child in all areas of life. And, to improve their ability to help their child, they will want to become part of a parent support group.
A parent support group can provide members with several advantages. First is information. The most effective parent support groups are founded by or supported with evidenced based research, which is available to all members. An example of this is Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (CHADD). The general format of their support group meetings usually includes an educational presentation followed by group discussion. Local support groups have access to the National Resource Center on ADHD.
Also, in most groups, there will be more experienced members as well as the parent of the recently diagnosed child. There will be the opportunity for parents to communicate with someone who has been through what they are currently experiencing. Different perspectives will also be presented that can help parents with challenging situations. Sometimes you are too close to the crisis to make wise decisions. You benefit from taking a step back and viewing the situation from a different viewpoint. Another parent can help provide that new perspective.
The most powerful benefit is the emotional support. There is strength in knowing that you are not alone. It can be so sustaining to have someone to reach out to when you feel you are at the end of your rope. As a parent, you will need to make some difficult decisions. You may even begin to second guess yourself or waver in your resolve. Having someone you can call for emotional support at a critical time will be your lifeline. Being available to provide the same service for them will give you strength.
Choosing the right parent support group is one of the keys to its effectiveness. Look for a group with positive energy. While it is important to have a safe place to vent, it will be more effective to join a parent support group where there are more solutions than complaints. Membership in this group should move you to take action. It should inspire you to stretch further than you thought you could and become your best self. The ideal parent support group will not only leave you feeling empowered at the end of the meeting, but will also provide tools for you to use when you get home and a plan of action.
There is no group that can teach you how to change other people, you can only control yourself. However, an effective parent support group can teach you how to interact with extended family members who may not understand your child’s special needs or your struggles. Belonging to a support group will not change your child’s disability, but it will help you learn how to deal with and manage it. The success stories of group members will help you see how you can maximize your child’s abilities to help them become their best self. You will learn how to take care of yourself as well as your child.
Use the links in my last blog to find a parent support group in your area. If there isn’t one geographically close enough, consider an online group. It may sound like one more detail to take care of when you already have so many, but it’s like shopping for food. It’s a bother sometimes, but you can’t eat if you skip this step. Take some time now to research the parent resources available to you and decide how you can best access them, especially a parent support group.