There are so many things special needs parents need to know!

I’ve been quite lucky in a way because I’d been working with special needs for many years before we realized my son had special needs.

So my knowledge was already pretty good. Having this added knowledge meant that when I fought against the system to get him the best help, I was able to do it with authority.

It meant that I was able to walk into the pediatrician’s office and be assertive as I already knew what I was talking about and couldn’t be fobbed off.

But for many parents I speak to, they don’t have this added knowledge. So when they’re dealing with pediatricians, psychologists, schools or doctors, they have to put 100% trust into those professionals.

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The biggest problem with this is that not all professionals are always right!

Don’t get me wrong, there are some fantastic professionals out there, but there are also many that don’t have enough knowledge or, in many countries, are too overworked and don’t have time to give your child the attention they need. To get the right diagnosis. Or to give you the right advice.

Unfortunately, teachers often don’t know anywhere near enough as the departments don’t give them enough training. And Lachlan’s first pediatrician in the UK was so overworked that every time I went back she just kept trying to shrug us off.

If you know as much information as possible then not only are you equipped with the knowledge you need to demand an accurate diagnosis or correct teaching methods.

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But also, by having a vast knowledge you will be able to do everything possible to help your child and in turn help yourself.

There are some fantastic sources of information out there.

Here’s a list of great websites that have some fantastic information:

• autismspeaks.org

• iancommunity.org

• specialneeds.com

• mayoclinic.org

Not forgetting of course, myspecialchildonline.com. I have tried to pack as much information as possible into this website, so hopefully you will find lots of useful information.

Click here if you’d like to visit my useful websites page for more great sources of information.

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