3 Myths And Misconceptions About Foster Parenting
August 14, 2020
3 Ways To Help Your Foster Child Successfully Navigate Distance Learning
September 11, 2020
All foster children need a safe and stable home with someone to support and care for them. With that said, there are some in foster care who require a little bit more. Here, we’ll discuss helpful tips for fostering children and teens with special needs.
Do your homework.
If you are fostering a child or teenager with learning disabilities, developmental delays, and/or behavioral challenges, it will be helpful to learn as much as you can about their specific situation and struggles. This knowledge will help you to better understand their condition and how to best offer support. Your caseworker can help with information, but be prepared to do some of your own research as well, whether through reputable online resources or through books at your local library.
Seek assistance when needed.
Children and teenagers in foster care receive a wide variety of services based on need. Whether it’s social and communication skills through therapeutic mentoring, counseling to develop skills and strategies to improve daily functioning, or help setting up an IEP or 505 plan at their school. Accept that a large part of parenting is committing to support your child in all their endeavors. You may also want to consider finding support groups or scheduling playdates and activities with other special needs families. Sometimes assistance and advice from others in the same boat can be invaluable.
Adjust your expectations — and your reactions.
Whether caused by environmental factors, trauma or a biological condition, many children with special needs act younger than their age. This is sometimes overlooked or forgotten, especially when dealing with invisible disabilities. As with any child or teenager, challenges will arise, and how you react when they do will make all the difference. Remember that much of this behavior is beyond their control. Instead of getting angry, impatient or frustrated, model the proper way to handle difficult situations. In other words, remain calm and adjust your expectations.
While fostering a child or teenager with special needs comes with it’s own unique set of challenges, know that every child deserves to grow up feeling safe, supported and loved, including the most vulnerable. Fostering a special needs child or teenager requires a special person — just like you! If you live in the state of Illinois and want to learn more about becoming a foster parent, contact Camelot Care Centers today.
Every child needs and deserves to grow up safe and protected from abuse and neglect, and caring foster parents offer children support and stability when they need it most. At Camelot Care Centers, we specialize in higher-level foster care for children and adolescents that need extra support. We partner with our foster parents/homes to provide trauma informed care and additional services, including in-home counseling, parent support and training, tele-psychiatry, and therapeutic mentoring, to maintain children at the least restrictive, yet most appropriate level of care. Camelot Care Centers (“Camelot”) is a Child Welfare Agency.
