Special needs children / myLot

United Kingdom

August 1, 2009 8:44am CST

My toddler son goes to a play group for children with special needs. Since he began going there the other parents have given me a wealth of knowledge. My son has spina bifida. He is unable to walk and he needs catheter care. His condition was diagnosed when I was 36 weeks pregnant with him. I feel sorry for the parents that haven't had their child's condition diagnosed yet. One of them knew something was wrong with her son when he was 6 months old and she has seen so many professionals that haven't been able to give an answer. She has finally found out now he is 3 years old. She went to see a genetic adviser. Her son has a rare condition and only 37 cases of it in my home country are known about. One other child was premature and born in the back of an ambulance. He isn't able to talk or walk. He goes around in a very special looking wheelchair. I am a primary school teacher. I have experience of teaching Down syndrome, Aspergers syndrome and autism. Do you think it is better to know a child's condition. why? How might parents feel when they are concerned something is wrong but they do find out for years? Has your child got any special needs?

1 person likes this

3 responses

TLChimes

@TLChimes (4822)

• United States

3 Aug 09

I have had it both ways... known and not known. I would rather my child have a condition that we KNOW what's to come or what to expect (at least in general terms as each child has their own set of issues with their disability) With our baby we don't know what is to come. He wasn't going to be born, never going to walk, and and who knows how many birthdays he'd have. We just celebrated his second. It kind of means more then the other kids' because he wasn't supposed to have one let alone more then one. Not knowing what is coming is hard. I guess it's just balancing each day with what we are dealing with TODAY.

indahfth

@indahfth (11161)

• Indonesia

2 Aug 09

I also have children who have special needs, but my child does not have a problem with the physical situation. my child needs special attention is necessary and more concentration, because my child is difficult to concentrate and perform commands. my child will tend to themselves.

Foxxee

@Foxxee (3650)

• United States

1 Aug 09

I believe it is better to know your childs condition & I believe this because once you know the condition you can do all you can do to try to help your child for the better. I think its better to know, then be left in the dark. I have a son who was diagnosed with Autism at 27th months. I believe getting a diagnoses early helped us get him the help he needs, plus gave us time to research things. Although I still believe that if I would have known, somehow at birth that it was Autism, I could of been more prepared & maybe he could of got the help he needed sooner & maybe, just maybe we would be a step forward not behind. But it is what it is... we do what we can for our children.. :D