March 2022

How to Prepare When You're Expecting a Child with Disabilities
 
If you’re expecting a child with physical or mental disabilities, it can be hard to know what to expect, which can make traversing early parenthood with a special needs child extremely confusing. It can be hard to find resources and information.
 
Having a child with disabilities is a lifelong adjustment. Here, we share a few things you can do at the beginning that will make the changes easier.
 
Preparing Your Home
 
A baby with disabilities might need special accommodations in their room and the home.
If they have a physical disability, this might be quite obvious. But, children with mental disabilities will likely need accommodations as well.
 
Every child with special needs is different, however. You will need to learn about your child’s particular disorder and determine what accommodations they might need.
 
If your child has a physical disability, it’s important to speak to their doctors about possible accommodations. Some children might not need any accommodations at first, while others might need special sleeping situations or extra implements to help them eat.
 
Even if your child doesn’t need accommodations right away, you should look toward the future and consider saving upmoney now for future accessibility improvements. You should start researching the possible cost of modifications now so you can know what to expect in the future. 
 
Insurance
 
Many families have questions about insurance when they learn that their child has disabilities. Many states have passed laws requiring insurance companies to cover childhood disabilities, but the required coverage can be minimal and might not help much.
 
It is essential to take specific steps to maximize your possible insurance benefits and keep yourself from paying more than you have to. Research which providers are in-network to reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
 
You should not be afraid to challenge an insurance company if a service is denied. In some cases, all it takes is a phone call or two for an insurance company to approve a previously denied claim.
 
If you need extra help paying for your child’s expenses, you might qualify for specific programs that can help. Even if you think you might have too much income to qualify, it is important to check. Having a child with a disability can make you eligible for coverage, even if you make a significant amount of money.
 
Plan for Additional Expenses
 
Checking out programs you might qualify for and reviewing your insurance policy are the first steps to planning financially for the future.
 
But, it is also important to review your budget. While you might not know exactly how much your child’s disability might cost, you can somewhat plan ahead and figure out how much you can afford.
 
Take Care of Yourself
 
Taking care of yourself can be incredibly important when you have a child with special needs. Often, when you have a child that requires a lot of attention, you can forget that you have individual needs too.
 
Practicing self-care can help keep you at 100 percent so you can tackle whatever life throws at you. Psychology Today recommends recognizing your limits and cutting back if you begin to do more than you can handle.
 
Having a child with disabilities can mean heading into unknown territory. While we can’t provide you with a detailed map of the way ahead, some careful research will provide you with a few key landmarks that can help you find your way.
 
If your child needs early education support, Family Factor can observe and support your child and help find the best academic environment for their needs. Sign up for a free consultation. 
 
Photo Credit: Pexels
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