Divorce is hard on everyone, particularly if you have a Texas child with special needs. There are countless additional considerations you have to make when you are in this situation in order to see your child through the process and tend to their well-being. Here are some of the main things to consider if you’re going through this.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
In many cases, it takes some extra help to get everyone in your family through this difficult time. With professional support, it can be easier for your special needs child to adapt and overcome after the divorce. Therapy has helped countless families find a way to make this new family situation as comfortable as possible for their children.
It’s also essential to think about the siblings of special needs children in these situations. It’s common for these siblings to find themselves put in parental roles to help out with the care of their brother or sister. This only tends to happen more and more once the parents have gotten a divorce. Parents have to be mindful that they’re not putting too much on any of their children.
When to call in the professionals
Divorced parents obviously don’t always agree with each other with respect to their parenting plan, and this is particularly true when a special needs child is involved. When parents are unable to find a compromise themselves, it’s likely that professional input is called for. Therapists, teachers and doctors who have worked with your kid can be invaluable in determining what’s best for him or her.
It’s hard for almost any child to transition from one house to another as parents split up custody. When it comes to special needs children, this back-and-forth can cause high amounts of emotional distress and tension.
Many parents in this situation opt to have their special needs child remain in the same home with parents alternating between who is on duty and who isn’t. This custody arrangement is commonly called nesting.