Find Childcare for a Child With a Disability

All parents want the best care for their children. When your child has special needs, they may require additional attention and assistance to be well cared for.

Special needs children need strong foundations for a bright future. Start by reading these best ways to find childcare for children with disabilities.

What Are Their Strengths?

When you're in search of a quality daycare for your special needs child, you have rights. The American Disabilities Act requires day-cares to work with you and your child to evaluate their needs and find ways to accommodate them.

That said, you probably want a daycare who is already familiar with a variety of children with disabilities. You should also be an advocate for your child when approaching a childcare center.

Rather than just listing what your child can't do, be sure to first share their strengths and abilities. It is helpful for a facility to know your child's socialization and communication skills on top of what ways they are medically fragile.

If you're not sure where to start, there are resources in every state for parents to get the information they need.

Find the Right Care For Your Child

Once you get started on your search, you will find that your child's needs are uniquely different. Don't get discouraged if care centers recommended to you by someone don't work for your child. Everyone's situation is different.

You can reach out to a variety of non-profit organizations focused on childcare for their recommendations, as well as speak with other families in online forums. It also doesn't hurt to reach out to friends and family for suggestions.

Next, you need to vet them by meeting one-on-one with the childcare providers directly.

Don't be afraid to ask questions during your visit. They should provide you with a comprehensive tour of the facility and a detailed description of the care provided. They should be willing to work with you in order to alleviate any concerns you have.

What Should You Look For?

First impressions will let you know that a childcare provider's services for children with disabilities are of high quality. However, you may need to inquire further to determine how responsive their care really is. 

Do they provide individualized care depending on the child? Do they understand the importance of knowing the differences in a child's abilities and interests? 

Safety should also be a priority as well as structure and discipline. Although you want your child to be protected, you also want the childcare provider to be able to stimulate a child's creativity. 

Lastly, what are their disciplinary methods? How are they able to handle the various challenges that children with disabilities present?

Supporting Children With Disabilities

It may be challenging to find the right care for children with disabilities, but it's not impossible. There are plenty of resources out there to help point you in the right direction. When you're just getting started, it can feel overwhelming at times. That's when it's okay to reach out to other families for their support.

Looking for more great information on support for people with disabilities? Check out more amazing articles here!