September is a wonderful month for many reasons! School is back in session, so routines are getting back to normal. Football (and parties with football food) has kicked into high gear. The hot Alabama temps are finally moving in the other direction. And…you’re holding the River Region Parents Special Needs Issue!
This month, we hope to honor and encourage the special needs community, plus offer advice on how you can support them along their journey! A few feature articles you’ll want to check out (and possibly share with a friend) are Amy Scott Lorton’s 5 Tips to Ensure a Successful School Year for Your Special Needs Child and Amy Baskin’s How to Keep Your Relationship Strong When Raising a Special Needs Child. Also, our Special Needs Resource Guide is full of local, regional and national resources to help families navigate the challenges they face in providing the best care for their special child. You’ll find businesses and agencies providing education support, recreation, therapy, early intervention and more.
If the phrase “it takes a village” applies to parenting in general, consider how much more our special needs moms and dads need us to embrace this idea. Whether watching a friend’s son for a few hours so Mom can have a much-needed break or speaking a kind word to Dad when you see him struggling with his daughter in the grocery store, we can all play a part. And that includes our kids! Compassion doesn’t always come naturally to children; however, it can be caught by our children watching us, and it can also be taught. Read Jan Pierce’s article, Raising Compassionate Kids, for practical ways of teaching your children to be more aware of the feelings and needs of others.
Finally, outdoor events and festivals are back on the scene this month, so check out our Bits and Pieces and Family Calendar and make plans to make memories with your family. Have a great September!
