Thank you for this great question! In order to answer this one, I went straight to the pros – the moms of children with special needs.  Their insights about what has been helpful and what others have done for them is great and will help you to be a supportive friend to a parent of a child with special needs.

Here are some of the responses I gained:

• Listen. Just listen without judging and fixing
• Offer to baby sit her/his child so that she/he can have some quiet and alone time.
• Offer to baby sit his/her child so that she/he and her/his spouse can have some ‘couple time’
• Show a genuine interest in your friend’s child
• Remind your friend that there is a beautiful, amazing, perfect and lovable child in there
• Invite a fellow mom to a girl’s night; invite a fellow dad to a boy’s night
• Encourage your friend to find a support group
• Encourage your friend to find a good therapist
• Encourage your friend to be patient. Very., very patient
• Suggest that your friend research and advocate for his/her child
• Offer to help out with other children in his/her home
• Welcome your friend and his/her child into your home even though the child may make a mess
• Support your friend to support her/himself
• Remind your friend to trust his/her instincts

Answered by Dr. Elizabeth Matheis

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