Parents of children with special needs not only have to manage the day-to-day challenges that their child physically faces, but they also have to navigate the emotions that come with the child’s limitations.
For example, your child may have a visual impairment that makes getting dressed frustrating, so your child refuses to get dressed in the morning, and you end up handling tantrum behavior. These situations can be extremely frustrating and challenging for a parent, especially if they have a full-time job and a schedule that they need to adhere to.
The good news is that support and guidance are available for children with special needs. Pediatric physical therapists can meet your child emotionally and help develop coping skills as part of their comprehensive treatment plan.
Your time with the physical therapist can be just as beneficial for you as it is for your child with special needs. If you are looking for a pediatric physical therapist, please contact us at Mark Their Words!
Anxiety in children with special needs
Dealing with anxiety as an adult is difficult, so imagine how difficult it can be for children living with special needs who struggle with sensory issues. Bright lights, new environments, and loud sounds are all things that can trigger stress in children with special needs.
According to AvazInc.:
“Anxiety is a common and natural emotion we feel in response to stress. We all feel anxious from time to time. But when anxiety disrupts our everyday lives, it becomes a cause for concern. Children with special needs may be prone to anxiety more than their neurotypical peers. Managing anxiety is an important skill that enables children to take control of their environment and gives them a sense of self-worth.”
Anxiety can also manifest through your child complaining of pain, having difficulty sleeping, crying or screaming, stimming, or avoiding social situations.
Physical therapy methods for improving coping strategies
You may be wondering, “How can physical therapy help my child with coping skills? Isn’t physical therapy just that – physical therapy?”
Nope!
Pediatric physical therapists are trained in helping children understand what they can accomplish physically and what they can accomplish emotionally.
Let’s look at a few strategies to help in different scenarios that might be stressful for your child.
- Routine – Your child’s physical therapist will start with a given routine during sessions and slowly phase in changes to assist your child with coping with unexpected events.
- Social situations – Your child’s physical therapist will initiate therapy in a room with only your child. Then, as the session progresses, they will have your child join the larger therapy gym where other children and therapists work.
- Sensory threshold – Once your child’s physical therapist understands your child’s sensory needs, they will gently push the boundaries to expand tolerance of new sensory experiences.
- Triggers – You and our physical therapist can identify your child’s triggers and plan therapy activities with those in mind.
- Anxiety – Children with anxiety are keenly aware of similar behaviors in others. Your child’s physical therapist can gradually have your child engage others during sessions to help them adapt to being in social situations.
Tips for calming an upset child
Working with your child’s physical therapist to develop a list of your child’s favorite activities will be a valuable step in managing your child’s anxiety.
What are the activities or objects that comfort your child? Some children enjoy swinging or jumping on a trampoline. Other children enjoy sitting quietly at a table and coloring.
Next time your child feels stressed or out of control, remind them that they can make themselves feel better. Suggest one of the calming activities and support that activity if needed.
Letting your child know you are always a source of help
If your child expresses fear, worry, or anger about not being able to do certain physical activities as well as they’d like, remind your child that help is available from their physical therapist.
You can tell your child, “Let’s talk about what you learned in your last physical therapy session.” This helps your child remember their progress, and it helps them cope when they’re feeling overwhelmed.
Remind your child that they grow stronger and more capable with each visit to their physical therapist, too. It can turn the situation from scary to hopeful very quickly.
Make an appointment today
Are you looking for a pediatric physical therapy provider for your special needs child? We want to help. Contact Mark Their Words to schedule an evaluation for your child.
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Tags: Health, wellness, pt, naturalpainrelief, healthytips, achesandpains, healthandwellness, pediatrictherapy
