A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Including Your Child - April 1997

Chapter 1

A Family Is the Most Important
Support a Child Can Have

Being a Parent Is a Very Important Job

Parent-
in this guide is anyone responsible for the care and well being of a child. Included are single parents, parents by birth or adoption, guardians, grandparents, foster parents, surrogate parents, and caregivers.
You help your child learn and develop every day. You are your child's first teacher. You are there to give help and support when it is needed. When you have a child with special needs, it is sometimes hard to know if you are doing the right thing. Your love and concern for your child is a good beginning.

As the parent of a child with special needs, you may be making decisions for your child that other parents don't face. You may meet with many different people who will provide the services needed by your child. You will need to know what kinds of services are available so you can make decisions that you think are best for your child and your family. This booklet is a good place to start.

All Families and All Children Have Strengths

Family-
a group of people close to you and your child. This may include parents, husband or wife, grandparents, in-laws, aunts and uncles, brothers or sisters, legal guardians, caregivers, or friends.
People with different strong points can help each other. Discovering your child's strengths and interests is important. Knowing them will help as you plan for your child's education and development.

Make a list of your child's strengths and successes. Keep a file with photos, videos, notes, artwork, and school work to show what your child likes to do. Let others know what your child can do.

Make a list of your child's strengths and successes. Keep a file with photos, videos, notes, artwork, and school work to show what your child likes to do. Let others know what your child can do.

Make a list of your child's needs and what can be done to meet these needs. You play an important role in getting the services that can be provided for you and your child.

There are places to go for help and support. Some of them are given in the next chapter.


-###-

[Introduction] [Table of Contents] [Chapter 2]