Self-Care for Special Needs Parents

When you’re a parent of a special needs child, you’re likely juggling a number of different responsibilities from traditional parenting and childcare issues, to any special education or activities your child may need. Your own self-care is important not only to your child’s overall health and well-being but your own mental and emotional health, as well. Autism Awareness Shop offers a range of services for both pediatric and adult clients, as well as a blog with insightful topics and resources.

Why You Need Self Care

It’s important as a caregiver to a special needs child that you yourself are in a mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy state of mind. This will help ensure your household runs smoothly, that your children get the time they need from you, and that you are also  present for your spouse, your job, and your personal interests. You don’t want to overburden yourself or others, and you most certainly don’t want to under-treat anxiety or depression. If you find yourself at loose ends, make sure you’re staying in touch with your primary care provider, who can help you identify healthy coping techniques.

Assess Personal Fatigue Levels

It’s important you not continually operate on autopilot, as this can lead to burnout. Assess your personal fatigue levels by making an honest evaluation of your parenting effectiveness, your sleep quality, and whether you have anxiety symptoms or depression. You’ll also want to evaluate your marital happiness, how often you’re able to be physically active, how much time you’re spending on caregiving, and how your child is responding. Are they sleeping and eating well? Having behavioral issues? Level setting can help you create a plan of action.

Find Time for Yourself

Self-care means taking time away from everyday life specifically to focus on yourself. This doesn’t mean you have to be away for long periods of time, but that you find moments in each day where, according to Very Well Mind, you can meditate, perform yoga, sit in silence for a moment, or otherwise have uninterrupted attention to your own personal needs. This could also mean having a regular date night with your spouse, asking for help from family and friends as necessary, and utilizing community resources that are designed to help parents with special needs children survive and thrive.

Fulfill Your Needs

Part of self-care is not only personal care but also taking a look at what your long-term ambitions are from a personal and professional standpoint. Chidcare.gov can point you toward financial resources if you need them. You may also be interested in starting your own business to give you freedom, flexibility, and personal fulfillment. Start by forming an FL LLC, or a limited liability company. This offers tax advantages, limited liability, and results in less paperwork. All states have different rules around LLC formation so you’ll want to learn yours before moving forward.

Create a Social Support System

Everyone can use a social support system on occasion, especially if you’re juggling the varied needs of being a special needs caregiver. According to Mayo Clinic, while identifying resources is important, you also want to ensure you aren’t overburdening those you ask for support. If possible, seek out varied resources to ensure you have a safety net in place that’s comprised of professional, social, personal, and family resources. Forming co-ops with other families is another good way to create mutually beneficial alliances.

Parents of special needs children need special support themselves, particularly during the formative years, or during difficult or rough patches in a child’s development. Utilize resources at your disposal, join support groups, and make sure you’re continually monitoring your own needs and addressing them.

Autism Awareness Shop offers therapies, vocational training and employment, workshops, and support groups. The non-profit organization helps increase independence for those with autism and promotes autism understanding and acceptance to the public.

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