Support Groups for Families With Special Needs

What Are Special Needs Support Groups?

Support groups are a way for children with special needs and their parents or caregivers to receive emotional support. Medical professionals are not always trained to offer emotional support. Additionally, although family and friends usually provide this kind of support, they may not be familiar with caring for a child with special needs.

As a result, support groups can be especially beneficial since they allow families with common experiences to share their emotions, coping strategies, and knowledge. This can be invaluable for parents who wish to learn about the benefits and drawbacks of various management and treatment strategies for their child’s disability.

There is a wide range of support groups, and the internet has made them more accessible than ever before. While traditional in-person support groups still meet in physical locations, many of today’s support groups gather on the internet, including Facebook groups and online forums.

7 Reasons Why Special Needs Support Groups Are Important

Caring for a child with special needs can be a full-time job. Support groups are a powerful and productive outlet for anyone facing the stress of being a caregiver.

The emotional support provided by support groups can positively impact your mental health and overall outlook on life.

Types of Support Groups

Several types of support groups exist for children with special needs and their parents and caregivers. The best kind of support group for you and your child will depend on individual needs, geographic location, and personal preferences.

Support Groups for Parents and Children

Support groups offer a number of benefits to children with special needs and their parents. Below are some options to consider.

Parent-to-Parent Support Groups

Caring for a child with special needs can be challenging. Support groups for parents and caregivers allow families the opportunity to get emotional support and discuss their experiences.

While some support groups are focused on specific conditions, others are more general. Trying out various options may be needed to find what works best for your particular situation.

Here are some parent-to-parent support groups to consider.

• Autism Speaks offers extensive resources to families affected by autism, including parent-to-parent support groups. Search for local support services here.
• The Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) is a central hub of resources for families with special needs. Explore your state’s Parent Training and Information Center (PTI) to locate parent-to-parent support groups near you.
• Raising the Future provides free emotional support by phone to parents across the country. While it is not specific to families with special needs, helpline counselors are trained to provide a safe space for any parenting concern. Call their toll-free National Parent Helpline for support at 1-855-427-2736.

Support Groups for Children

There are many support group options for children with special needs, both in-person and online. The groups are often focused on discussions about living with a disability. Additionally, they provide motivation and inspiration for staying positive and encourage rehabilitative treatments.

You can talk with your child’s pediatrician or special education teachers to get specific group recommendations.

Support Groups by Disability

Below are some support group options for cerebral palsy (CP) and Erb’s palsy, which are some of the more common disabilities that affect children. However, virtually every condition has support group options that offer in-person and online emotional support.

Local health care institutions and nonprofit organizations can help you find support groups for rare illnesses and birth injuries.

Cerebral Palsy Support Groups

Cerebral palsy support groups give parents, caregivers, and children an outlet for emotional support. Members often exchange personal experiences and treatment stories.

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is an example of a national organization that offers in-person cerebral palsy support groups. However, these types of groups can also be found online by searching Facebook.

Popular CP Facebook groups include “Cerebral Palsy Support Group,” which has almost 30,000 members, and “Mild Cerebral Palsy Parent Support Group,” which has nearly 11,000 members.

Erb’s Palsy Support Groups

Erb’s palsy support groups give members emotional support and provide them with hope for brachial plexus injuries. The real-world information offered in these groups can help parents and children find additional resources and treatments for Erb’s palsy.

Several national organizations help parents and caregivers find Erb’s palsy support groups. The largest is the United Brachial Plexus Network (UBPN).

Finding a Support Group

Support groups are often associated with local hospitals, medical facilities, or nonprofit health organizations. National groups such as The Arc, Easter Seals, and Parent to Parent USA also offer affiliate programs and support groups around the country.

Often, the best place to start is to talk to your physician and child’s pediatrician to get their recommendations.

Finding a support group may take a bit of research, and you may have to try out a few options to find a good fit for you and your child. However, many families of children with special needs find that support groups make all the difference in coping with day-to-day challenges.