
Coaching for Parents of a Child/Adult with Special Needs
“What’s next for my child?”
Are you trying to navigate the disability system or wondering what’s next for your child? “He just graduated high school? Now what?” People with disabilities have life transitions just like everyone else. As infants, they are in the care of their parents; as school-age children, they are in the care of the school; and when they graduate, they are in the care of the state’s system of care for adults with IDD. As they transition into each life cycle stage, strategies that worked when they were younger no longer apply. The challenge is to identify community resources and match them with your child’s strengths and your family’s resources to further enhance your child’s development through their adult years. Your child faces additional challenges that a typically-developing child does not. Having a coach helping you navigate your child/family’s particular needs is most beneficial to all involved.
What about you?
As a parent of an adult with disabilities, you may have spent the last two or three decades worrying, researching and wrapping your life around your child’s needs. And, you wouldn’t change that for the world! But perhaps your health has suffered and/or your dreams have been put on hold. Maybe you want to get healthier or pursue a long-forgotten interest, identify a new career path or make changes in your family/work environment. You know what you need to do, but just can’t find the motivation to do it. You’re feeling stuck.
Coaching may be the answer. Whatever your goal is, coaching will help you reconnect with your heart’s desires and vitality, and achieve goals you may have given up on. I use a technique called motivational interviewing to help get you unstuck and get motivated! Coaching takes stock of where you are now and where you want to be. Together we figure out the next step for your special needs child, or the next step for you. Let the smoke clear and envision a clearer plan for the future.