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Parent Resource Center

 

Parenting Children with Special Needs

The usual challenges of parenting are compounded for parents and primary caregivers of children with special needs.

Among the many challenges are:

  • Learning about the disability
  • Researching, locating and accessing effective treatments and resources
  • Coping with the emotional and physical demands of caring for an individual with a disability
  • Getting to the innumerable appointments with medical providers, therapists, advocates,  and school personnel
  • Advocating for appropriate school interventions, accommodations, and/or placements
  • Paying for the many treatments and interventions not covered by health insurance or the school system

Below are some articles to help Parents coping with the struggles of being a special needs parent.

Mental Health Self-Assessment

(The information and link below are provided by bewellindiana.com)

It can be hard to put a finger on a feeling, especially if you’re struggling with mood swings, loss of sleep, uncertainty and more. A simple self-assessment can help direct you to support services that can help.

If you’d like to know more about your own level of mental wellness, Mental Health America offers a variety of screenings that can help guide you in the right direction. The immediate results are meant to provide a quick snapshot of your mental health and not to be used as a medical diagnosis.

Take a Mental Health Test Here

  • The Depression Test is for individuals who are feeling overwhelming sadness. (Also available in Spanish)
  • The Anxiety Test is for people who feel that worry and fear are affecting their ability to function day-to-day. (Also available in Spanish)
  • The Psychosis Test is for young people (age 12-35) who feel like their brain is playing tricks on them. (seeing, hearing or believing things that don't seem real or quite right).
  • The Bipolar Test is for individuals who have mood swings - or unusual or extreme shifts in mood and energy.
  • The Eating Disorder Test can help explore eating related concerns that have an impact on your physical health and overall well-being.
  • The PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) Test is for those who are bothered by a traumatic life event.
  • The Parent Test is for parents of young people to determine if their child’s emotions, attention, or behaviors might be signs of a problem.
  • The Youth Test is for young people (age 11-17) who are concerned that their emotions, attention, or behaviors might be signs of a problem.