Grandparents raising their grandchildren has become increasingly common in recent years. Over 7 million grandparents lived with at least one grandchild under 18 in the United States in 2020. This represents one in 10 American children. Of these grandparents, 2.5 million were the primary caregivers for their grandchildren. However, even if grandparents are not the primary caregivers, they still play a vital role in their development.
While not all of these are special needs children, some are, as over 7.3 million special needs children in the United States make up 15% of public school enrollment. Since households of special needs children already have a unique set of challenges they face, it’s no wonder the parents of these children may turn to grandparents for additional support.
Grandparents are in a unique position to offer the kind of support that not only fosters a great family environment but also contributes to the overall well-being of their grandchild. So, here are some ways grandparents can play a part and contribute.
1. Learn More About the Grandchild’s Needs
The most obvious thing for seniors to consider is to learn more about the needs of their grandchild. They should educate themselves and ask questions. Attending therapies, meetings, and appointments whenever possible is recommended. The key is to become familiar with the knowledge necessary to deal with a special needs grandchild. But, nothing more than formal education can equip seniors with the skills and knowledge needed to provide specialized care.
There’s a common misconception that a graduate degree is only something professionals need. A senior with a special education background can provide invaluable insight and support to their special needs grandchild. Thus, having an online masters in special education can transform them into well-rounded individuals with a versatile skillset. A master’s in special education can help grandparents offer their grandchildren effective homework and learning assistance. They can adapt teaching techniques and materials to make learning more enjoyable.
Online degrees like these are also suitable for seniors because they provide flexible schedules, allowing them to work at their own pace without worrying about the courses interfering with their responsibilities.
2. Promote Social Interaction
Another way seniors can help their grandchild’s development is by helping with their social skills. One way to do this is by being a good role model for the children. If a grandparent demonstrates the right social skills, the child is likelier to emulate them.
Another way would be by organizing playdates for their grandchild. Playdates can expose special needs children to social activities with their peers. Community activities like joining clubs, attending local fairs, and volunteering are also helpful.
Positive reinforcement can be a helpful tool, as well. If the children behave in desirable ways, praise them. This is likely to reinforce their behaviors. This makes it so they’re much more likely to initiate social interactions. Positive reinforcement is not reserved for social skills and can help improve self-esteem, focus, and learning. When they receive constant praise for their efforts, they’re more likely to develop a higher sense of self-worth and self-confidence.
3. Create Special Routines and Activities
A great way to establish a bond with a special needs grandchild is by setting up special routines and rituals. These rituals are something that both the grandchild and grandparent must enjoy. Routines and rituals can help a special needs grandchild feel safe in the presence of their grandparents. It also creates a predictable routine for them to look forward to because such routines can help these children manage their time and behavior and keep them engaged.
Similarly, even if a grandparent lives far away, they can still find a way to be engaged and present. Depending on their needs, regular phone calls or video calls can be good to keep up with them.
4. Financial Planning and Support
Grandparents can also help their children and grandchildren with financial support. A more future-oriented strategy would be setting up a Special Needs Trust (SNT). An SNT ensures that the assets (usually money or a life insurance policy) held in the account are used specifically for the child’s benefit without affecting their ability to receive help from government assistance programs. Instead, an SNT is considered supplemental to government benefits.
Financial support can open new avenues for the grandchild and increase access to resources the child may otherwise be deprived of. This support can include covering educational expenses, like special needs programs and materials. Grandparents can also contribute to medical expenses or any childcare expenses.
5. Advocacy
Seniors can also play a crucial role in advocating for special needs children. If appropriate, grandparents can participate in Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, medical appointments, therapy sessions, etc.
Grandparents can also help by advocating for the inclusion of their grandchildren in mainstream classrooms. It also helps to be aware of their legal rights. For example, knowing their rights and entitlements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Raising awareness in the wider community can help reduce stigma and help many other individuals in similar situations.
Finally, joining support groups can also put them in touch with like-minded individuals, creating a network of support that will no doubt aid the children in their development.
6. Set Realistic Expectations
Caring for a special needs grandchild can be a rewarding but exhausting experience. Therefore, grandparents must remember to prioritize their well-being to avoid being burnt out and overwhelmed. Prioritizing their health, including their mental health, will make them much more able to take good care of their grandchildren.
After all, self-care is not selfish; it’s necessary for maintaining physical and emotional health. Grandparents in this situation should not be afraid to ask for help or support from other family members or friends. Sharing responsibility can provide respite and a much-needed break.
How The Experience Can Help Seniors
We’ve been focusing on ways that grandparents can help their grandchildren, especially if these children have special needs. However, relationships are rarely one-way. The experience of supporting or raising a grandchild comes with its own benefits for seniors.
A crucial one is an increased sense of purpose. Supporting a grandchild gives the senior something to focus on and brings joy into their life. This can be crucial, as having a sense of purpose contributes to a fulfilling life and this is sometimes lost when people retire.
Supporting their grandchildren also provides increased connections between the generations, which is also powerful.
Conclusion
Grandparents can support their special needs grandchildren in a lot of ways. This support does not have to be completely practical; sometimes, emotional support is all needed. If grandparents ensure they are present, supportive, and, most importantly, accepting of their grandchild’s disability, they can contribute tremendously to the child’s development.
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