Don't Turn a Blind Eye if You See Your Child May Need Some Extra Help

Whether we are talking about a learning disability, speech delay medical or physical condition, mental, emotional health issue or any other special need, anything caught and addressed early enough can be corrected or at least maintained.  As parents, it is our job to observe when something just does not seem right.  Having worked in the education field for many, many years, I have seen countless children who had mental, emotional, developmental, or physical needs that went untested, thus causing major frustration for both the child and parent.  A large percentage of parents noticed early on that their child may not speak, act, think, see, hear, learn, move or think like other children, but allowed shame, embarrassment and /or fear to prevent them from seeking help. 

As parents, it is our job to be our kids biggest and most assertive advocate.  There is NOTHING to be ashamed of if you have a child that may have a slight delay or need a little extra help. The key is addressing the problem as soon as you see it surface.  You may not know where to begin, so I suggest you always start with your child's pediatrician.   Whether the concern is mental, physical, educational, speech, motor skill, or developmental, your child's doctor should be able to lead you to the right person(s) who can better serve you.  But people can not help you if they do not know about the problem. The longer you wait to address the concern, the more damage you could potentially be causing your child.  Time is of the essence. 

When I was a middle school Principal, I remember seeing numerous students who had some form of learning or emotional disability that was causing them great frustration.  This greatly impacted their self-esteem.  Many of their problems, had they been addressed early on, could have had specific plans developed to aid the process.  Let me ask you a question?  If you notice your child is squinting their eyes every time they read something, what is the first thing you think?  It is not, to spank them to make them see better.  It is not to yell or punish them to make them see better.  No, you would say, "son/daughter, I am going to set you up an appointment with the eye doctor ASAP!"

Why not do the same for any mental, emotional, motor skill, or physical need you notice?  Good parenting is noticing all things and addressing all things in the right way.  You are not a failure and neither is your child.  For some of you, when you were young, you may have needed some extra help, but unfortunately, for whatever reason, your parents did not seek help for you.  How different would your life have been?  Now think about your child and the life you want them to have.

Keep plugging and doing your best.

Much Love,

Angela