5 Essential Tips for Parents of Children with Special Needs

Posted April 25, 2025

At Children’s Behavioral Services, we know you want to be an active parent to ensure your child reaches their full potential. Since opening our doors in 2019, we have developed relationships with hundreds of parents of special needs children. We learned that many feel overwhelmed and frustrated with the lack of supportive resources available for their family. We meet many parents right after their child has received a special needs diagnosis, and many of them are unsure where to start. The following list comprises five essential tips that we believe can provide the most value and support for parents as they continue caring for their child with special needs.  

Find Support

Becoming a parent is often described as one of the most rewarding experiences of adulthood. However, alongside these joys, it can also bring significant stress, exhaustion, and concern. Studies show that parents of special needs children are at higher risk of chronic stress-related complications like depression, anxiety, hypertension, and insomnia (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2023). Research finds that among 5,169 surveyed parents of SEN (special education needs) children, the majority admitted to having problems with coping with their emotions and stress, feeling isolated, and putting their child's needs over their own (Cheng & Lai, 2023). From these findings, one can conclude that parents of SEN children need more social and physical support to reduce stress and improve their overall health.

Here's what finding support looks like:

1. Ask friends and family for help before feeling overwhelmed.

2. Join a community or virtual support group that hosts parents with similar challenges.

3. Make time for yourself to enjoy something that is just for YOU.

4. Stay educated on your child's diagnosis and treatment options. Active parenting reduces stress, guilt, and anxiety, which benefits children and parents (Obeldobel et al., 2022).

Remain Active in Parenting

An active parent listens intently, engages in conversation, and sets clear, respectful boundaries for their child to ensure a safe and protected environment that supports physical and mental growth (Obeldobel et al., 2022b). Published studies show a link between active parenting and increased independence, developmental skills, and social development in children with special needs (Widyawati et al., 2021). Active parenting styles incorporate the following:

1. Welcomed and maintained open communication between parents and child/children.

2. A clear set of boundaries is established to keep the child safe while providing opportunities for him/her to experience independence.

3. Validating and acknowledging the child's emotions.

4. Compliment the child's strengths and guide them in the areas that need refinement.

5. Stay focused on advocating on their behalf.

Use your Voice

No one knows or understands your child better than you do. Advocating on their behalf in schools, community groups, and public situations can be challenging when you don't feel supported. A supportive plan safeguards the best possible outcome for unexpected situations through consistent communication, gathering educational resources, and facilitating meetings with school staff members for your child's growth and development. Advocating for your child's rights and needs may require the following:

1. Continuous and effective communication with all trusted individuals who interact with your child through teaching, counseling, coaching, or treating.

2. Clearly explain your child's needs and goals to make sure their educational experience is customized to fulfill those needs.

3. Becoming a welcomed asset at your child's school through volunteerism or chaperone opportunities. According to Autism Parenting Magazine (LBA, 2019), parents of children with special educational needs (SEN) who establish positive relationships with their schools are more successful in advocating for changes or modifications in their child's education.

Create a Positive, Sensory-Rich Environment

A supportive environment considers the child's special needs through physical accessibility and sensory surroundings. It includes necessary accommodations to ensure the child's safety. Environments that offer flexibility and adaptability work best because every child is unique and has different goals that need to be achieved. In the article, The Power of Sensory Play in Childhood Development, the importance of incorporating a variety of sensory stimuli in a child's environment is crucial to their learning and development because the activity is scientifically proven to strengthen and build "neural pathways" in children (Palumbo, 2023). Examples of supportive environments include:

1. Well-organized, open spaces

2. A sensory-rich environment that encourages exploration and learning through sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell.

3. Home-based sensory play area that introduces tasks and skills involved in cooking, cleaning, and gardening.

4. An outdoor sensory area that allows interactions with natural elements like water, plants, and rocks.

Prioritize Self-Care

Parents often struggle with this one. The header doesn't read: "Make time for yourself." It intentionally says to "prioritize" yourself. Caretaker burnout and chronic stress from caring for children with special needs can lead to depression, anxiety, marital problems, and fatigue (Miller, 2016). Getting plenty of rest, exercise, hydration, and even some time away from your child is crucial to your mental and physical health. It's important to remember that by taking care of yourself, you are benefiting your whole family. Many parents state they cannot prioritize themselves because they lack time, financial resources, or family support. Here is a list of some possible solutions that may help even during the most challenging situations:

1. Ask for help from friends, family, church, or neighbors. Create a routine with your support network that gives you time for self-care tasks like showering, napping, walking, going on dates, etc.

2. If you don't have a support network, utilize respite care services from a local facility. Many parents do not realize this option even exists. Respite care provides temporary relief of responsibilities for parents or caretakers. Find your local respite care service provider and funding resources here: https://archrespite.org/caregiver-resources/

3. Adjust your sleep schedule around your child's sleep schedule. For example, if your child routinely wakes up at a particular time each day, adjust your schedule and get up an hour or more before they awaken to ensure you have time to focus on what you need.

4. Make time for something you enjoy, like reading, writing, walking, listening to music, etc. Even short windows, such as 10 to 20 minutes a day, can significantly impact your mental and physical health. 

   
   

   

   
   

Resources:

Cheng, A., & Lai, C. (2023). Parental stress in families of children with special educational needs: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14(14). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1198302

LBA, M. C., MEd, BCBA. (2019, February 2). How to Use An ABA Approach to Advocate For Your Special Needs Child. Autism Parenting Magazine. https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/aba-approach-for-your-special-needs/

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2023, August 1). Chronic stress puts your health at risk. Mayo Clinic; Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037

Miller, C. (2016, July 21). Why self-care is essential to parenting. Child Mind Institute. https://childmind.org/article/fighting-caregiver-burnout-special-needs-kids/

Obeldobel, C. A., Brumariu, L. E., & Kerns, K. A. (2022a). Parent-Child Attachment and Dynamic Emotion Regulation: A Systematic Review. Emotion Review, 15(1), 175407392211368. https://doi.org/10.1177/17540739221136895

Palumbo, J. (2023, October 10). The Power Of Sensory Play In Childhood Development. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenniferpalumbo/2023/10/10/the-power-of-sensory-play-in-childhood-development/

Widyawati, Y., Scholte, R. H. J., Kleemans, T., & Otten, R. (2021). Positive parenting and its mediating role in the relationship between parental resilience and quality of life in children with developmental disabilities in Java Island, Indonesia. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 112, 103911. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2021.103911

Ye, F. T. F., Sin, K. F., & Gao, X. (2021). Subjective Well-Being among Parents of Children with Special Educational Needs in Hong Kong: Impacts of Stigmatized Identity and Discrimination under Social Unrest and COVID-19. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010238