Accent the character traits that make your child unique. Compliment good manners, encourage a good sense of humor, help style a little girl’s lovely hair, appreciate a love of animals, and celebrate what makes your child’s personality. And accept your child’s disability or illness as part of who he is.

Find inner strength. Raising a special needs child is far from easy and parents need to find their own core strength to rely upon. Courage in the face of possible medical emergencies is vital. A firm foundation in faith or a strong support group of friends and relatives can also help.

Parents need a break. Being a primary caregiver for a special needs child 24/7 can be daunting and stressful. Take time for an occasional respite. Let a trusted grandparent or sitter be with the child while you go out for a meal, to a spa, or even for a weekend getaway. Even a trip once a week to the library or mall can help parents stay grounded.

Have fun. Involve the family in fun activities as much as your child’s special needs allow. Many amusement parks are more than happy to accommodate special needs children. A visit to the park, a magic show, or other event that the child will enjoy can be an outing for the entire family to share. Laugh together and lighten the load.

Hold onto hope but be realistic. Offer your child encouragement and celebrate the small milestones. If your child doesn’t learn to walk until he is four or five, celebrate the occasion and be glad that he can walk at all.

Be involved as a family in the community, at church, in a playgroup, or in a support group for parents. Be connected to others and allow a special needs child to grow into who he or she may be.

Having a special needs child can change lives forever but it doesn’t have to be considered a disaster. With information, patience, support, and love, parents can help special needs children to excel to the best of their abilities and to be happy, the most important consideration of all.