Special Kids Need Special Parents

Book excerpt: Parents of children with special needs face unique emotional and practical challenges everyday. These issues are seldom addressed by the medical community—and parents’ most compelling questions remain unanswered. Judith Loseff Lavin was thrust into the world of children’s hospitals and special needs when her daughter was born with a cleft lip and palate. In Special Kids Need Special Parents, she draws on interviews with health care professionals, nationally recognized authorities, and other parents of children with special needs to give readers the advice, encouragement, and comfort they crave. Raising a child with special needs can be a daunting task, but it can also be a meaningful journey—helping parents uncover reserves of strength, wisdom and love they never knew they had.  Boosting your child’s self-esteem  Coping with chronic pain, sleep problems and frequent hospitalizations  Dealing with your feelings of grief and anger  Choosing a therapist  Finding suitable, reliable childcare  How to cope with teasing  The impact a child with special needs can have on a marriage, siblings, and grandparents  Finding cosmetic help, including hair replacement  Prosthetic and orthotic options