When a catastrophic event happens, like a terrorist attack or a natural disaster, children may be troubled by what they see or hear about the tragedy. They may react with emotions such as fear, worry, shock and grief.
And if you have a child with special needs, he may respond in ways that you don’t know how to handle. He may react right away. Or, he may not show signs of having a tough time with the news until much later. No matter the case, while we may not be able to shield our children from tragedy, there are plenty of ways to help them through and assure them they are safe.
How to Talk with Your Child
The best response is to talk with your child with a disability to help her understand what happened. It will also help her feel safe.
Take time to think about what you want to say. Ask your child what she understands about the disaster. Find out what questions or concerns she may have. Your child’s answers should help to direct what to say.
Bottom line, here are some tips to help you through:
If you feel overwhelmed and you need help, please contact us.
American Advocacy group is on the front lines every day, making positive change happen for people diagnosed with Autism, Down syndrome and a range of diagnoses across the continuum. As a leading advocate for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, and the premier provider of the support and services people want and need, we understand the system and know how to take action in regard to your best interests.
CONTACT US FOR HELP.
Dial (877) 762-0702 or email us at info@americanadvocacygroup.com.