Caring for a child with special needs

Strategies for newcomer families

Learning that your child is born with a chronic illness or has special needs can be devastating for all families. But it can be isolating and extremely challenging for newcomer families as they navigate an unfamiliar health-care system, without their traditional sources of community support.

The terminology, diagnosis, treatment options, hospital visits and assessment or therapy appointments can be overwhelming in a new country. Language and cultural barriers may also lead to helplessness and lack of trust in health professionals. Remember, you are not alone and can find the support you need.

To navigate this situation in a new country and manage your family’s well-being, here are a few strategies that can be helpful.

1 Register for early intervention services. Canada offers a lot of services to children with disabilities and supports for the families. Programs offered by early intervention services in your region can help in providing necessary support and services.

2 Research and collect information. Educating oneself and reading books or articles written by professionals and other parents can help you learn and manage the everyday challenges you experience with your child. Talk to a specialist with an interpreter if you have language barriers or need support during the meeting. Asking questions and understanding the condition will help you support your child effectively at home.

3 Contact settlement services for newcomers. Sharing the diagnosis with a settlement worker can help you connect and develop a family settlement plan by assessing your family’s needs, strengths, resources and supports. Newcomer child care programs can support a kid with special needs while you are enrolled in language classes or undergoing any trainings.

4 Enroll in parenting skills classes. Enhance your parenting skills and learn how to manage difficult situations that you may encounter while caring for a child with special needs. You can also learn how to keep your child safe both at home and also outside. Many nonprofits and government agencies offer these programs.

5 Register for respite care services. Caring for a child with special needs can be stressful and exhausting. If you qualify for respite care (keep in mind, some providers have age requirements), you may get short-term, temporary relief. Respite care workers may visit you at home or take a child to a park and give you the much-needed break and support you need.

6 Share your emotions. Caring for a child with special needs can be physically and emotionally draining. Do not bottle up your emotions. Share with a parent or friend in your home country, join a support group or you could even seek support from a mental health professional.

7 Accept help when it is offered. If your spouse or a neighbour offers to help with cooking, cleaning, chores or taking turns playing with the child, be open to considering the help offered as it may give you time to do something different.

8 Support your marital relationship. Caregiving responsibilities may not always be equally shared, especially if one partner must work to provide for the family and the other partner is home to take care of your child with special needs. In this situation, it is important that partners listen and support one another to strengthen the marital relationship. Settlement stress coupled with caregiving responsibilities can contribute to relationship breakdown in newcomer families.

9 Avail disability benefits. Both federal and provincial governments offer disability benefits for caring for a child with special needs and provide financial support. You can find information on the government’s website, or you can ask a professional or a tax consultant for more details.

10 Connect with yourself. If you are religious or spiritual, prayers may help you cope with the situation. For others, it could be taking a walk, meditation, painting or listening to music.

Research indicates that even if two children have the same diagnosis or disability profile, there will be individual differences in the symptoms, in their progress and in health outcomes. Similarly, each family has its own unique strengths, resources and skills in managing a child with special needs. Maintaining realistic expectations, accessing support and being open to learning are beneficial in raising a child with special needs.

Be a strong advocate for your child and support them to develop skills, become independent and participate fully in society.