Parents of special needs children typically experience depression and exhaustion, living a life full of intense feelings and difficult decisions, and the constant fear of what the future holds for their child in an inflexible world.
Picking a school for your child is a difficult decision. Picking one for a neurodivergent child is a whole different ball game.
I have written about neurodiversity and special needs in previous editions of First Steps. A wide range of conditions require that such children be provided with supplemental attention and assistance due to the physical, mental or psychological issues they experience. Furthermore, some children struggle with anxiety attacks, dietary intolerances, delayed growth or learning challenges. These conditions make participation in activities—even something as simple as school—difficult, adding another layer of special requirements.
I have heard stories of ordeal …
Arati is an early childhood education specialist who is passionate about working with young minds in their formative years. Before joining the education sector in 2015, she had stints in the corporate world and was a full-time parent briefly. Currently, she is handling the school excellence function at a leading pre-school chain, where she helps build curricula, trains teachers and audits centres, besides conducting parenting workshops.
newsletters+arati@themorningcontext.com