Six Ways to Support Families With a Special-Needs ChildSample

2 | Ask about their child

Sometimes we avoid topics of conversation that we have little experience with or make us uncomfortable. You may know very little about their child’s diagnosis, but let that spark conversation to learn more.

With compassion in your heart, ask how their child is doing. They want to talk about their child, and it helps to know you are interested and that you care. Parents of special-needs children have ups and downs; they want to process with someone, and you can be that person.

Ask what you can celebrate with them about their child. Ask how you can pray for their child. Ask to see pictures on their phone (every parent has pics of their kids on their phones, and if you are like me, you have to buy more storage just to keep up).

Don’t let their child or their diagnosis be an unspoken topic of conversation. Become a safe place, a caring friend with whom they know they can share and be real.