What do YOU think qualifies as a Special Need?

desertmom · **What do YOU think qualifies as a Special Need?**

To me, this forum is for anyone who has a Special Need, adult or child, diagnosed or not, even named or not.

What do you think? Is there a line?

TommysMommy · 07-14-2007, 03:23 AM

I think a special need is anything that would hinder a person's quality of life. Whether it be mental or physical disability. I agree it should be for all. I also think those without SN should also be able to give their perspective, and be able to learn from the families who deal with SN everyday. I dont think any of us can determine where that line is. For one person, dyslexia may be considered disabling, all the way across the spectum to Tommy with muliple issues. I think the more we post about our collective disabilities, the more we can learn, and the more tolerant we can become.

Happymom · 07-14-2007, 07:01 AM

I think this forum benefits everyone. I don't really think about my family as having special needs per say. But when I think about it, they do. My dh has been severly hearing impaired since birth. I am just used to it. My 7 yr old has had speech since he was 4. And we have been trying to get my 4 yr old into speech for the past couple of years. I think this is the year!. I also have several family members who battle depression and a dd who is fighting addiction problems.

I am willing to bet that almost every family has some kind of special needs.

Claire · 07-14-2007, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happymom

I am willing to bet that almost every family has some kind of special needs.

I agree. We can all learn from this forum. Some are labeled while others remain hidden behind closed doors.

newlywed0610 · 07-14-2007, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TommysMommy

I think the more we post about our collective disabilities, the more we can learn, and the more tolerant we can become.

Beautifully written!!!!

desertmom · 07-14-2007, 09:08 PM

Thank you for your responses, and I'd love to hear more!

Do you have any wishes for this forum? What would you like it to offer? Obviously, it can't offer cures, but hopefully resources, as we find them, can be shared, as we have been doing. We have some wonderful members with wonderful experience and training willing to share their experiences, and I, personally, would love to hear more from them.

Do you have any wishes for this forum? Obviously, this is a place to question each other, our doctors, God, when needed, and life in general, but also to be, as stated a resource and a place for support is what I saw when we started this. What else would you like to see?

Thank you all, for any and all input.

I agree that to me, a special need doesn't really have barriers. It could be hearing impaired, sight impaired, autistic, inability to walk "normal", look "normal" - even think normally, such as schizophrenia, etc. Adults and children, although we do focus on the children. At this point, I don't see that we need borders or lines, do you? We may not have experts to help in all areas, of course, but sometimes just a place to talk things over helps a lot. I, personally, wish I had a magic wand for some of our tougher little ones here and make them all better. Their mommies' kisses are so good for them! And we have so many amazing mommies on here.

Shay · 09-15-2007, 11:37 PM

I agree with everyone here, there are so many "special need" children that are so unidentified. Alot of people think that special needs are just those with visable impairments, and that is almost hardly the case in this new medical technology.

Although my son does have a g tube, when he is not using it is well concealed under his shirt and in most cases people are very unaware, and even when they do find out.......their response is "He has a feeding tube?" WHY?" Well it is the feeding tube that makes him look so good, Otherwise he would not look good at all. My son is allergic to ALL food, his body rejects it..

I think that is hard for some people to remember that many illness' are not obvious to the naked eye!

mom2ame · 09-16-2007, 06:20 AM

Thank you for this post. I know my daughter has special needs but I know there are so many that need more. My daughter has tuberous sclerosis and just had brain surgery. I am very grateful she is doing so well and I know it is because of the fantastic doctors. It is important for others to share good and bad advice because when you first deal with something different it is hard to know where to start. Just from talking to others you may learn some very valuable information that can really change your life.
It is very hard to determine special needs but I believe that if YOU believe you or your child has special needs, then you have special needs and deserve help.

Country~mouse · 09-16-2007, 08:49 AM

I like this forum because i know i can come here when i'm really stressed out with my dd. It is sometimes hard for others to understand how bad she struggles in school, yet she always tests borderline on L.D. whenever the school district tests her and cannot get any help. She also has been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. So i am thankful i can come here and discuss all this with others who understand.

desertmom · 09-17-2007, 10:42 AM

Shay, is it your 5 year old that has the GTube? Do you get people trying to offer him food without knowing about his condition? I get people offering my kids candy and stuff often. Most of them are nice enough to ask for my permission, but it's usually after damage has been done; they have already seen their prey in the person's hand. Has he been taught to just say no thank you?

Panelme, would you tell us what tuberous sclerosis is? It's a new one for me, and I'm sure for others here. You're right. When hit with diagnoses, it's so overwhelming. Where do we start? I've been dealing with my son's Aspergers, known dx, for three years and still often feel lost - of course, I was even more lost before the dx.

Country Mouse, I'm right there with you about the stressed part! I've been very ill, but the only one who works with ds on homework. Plus, his stimming is worse than ever. He drives me crazy, and my being sick and in pain makes my patience very thin. Plus, my two year old is in the nasty tantrum stage and has started hitting. DH makes me feel like the worst mom on the planet, when he blows up for lesser reasons. I often feel he's my biggest stressor. The kids have an excuse; he doesn't. My son has been having distraction issues recently, and I basically have to hover over him to get his work done. His teacher wants only 20 mins a day spent on homework, but one page of 7 problems takes literally an hour or more! He CAN do it, and do it easily, if he would just stay on track and not zone out. I knew I wouldn't make a good school teacher!! It's amazing, what they do!

Thank you all, for your input!