2012’s Top Special Needs Posts Countdown, #5

by JoleneDec 26, 2012Books and Resources, Special Needs Parenting0 comments

Kathy Guzzo's back with suggestions about how to use words to encourage parents of adults with special needs. She talks about what to say & what not to say.

The 2012 top ten special needs posts countdown continues today after a break for Christmas yesterday. Today’s post once again confirms the popularity of the Different Dream blogging team. Fifth in the countdown is Kathy Guzzo’s post that offers support for parents of adult children with special needs. Kathy’s the parent of an adult child who lives with lupus.

Posts #6–10

For those of you who missed the first half of the top special needs posts countdown, perhaps distracted by Christmas cheer, here are the posts featured thus far:

#10: The Welcome to Holland Thing and The Big Bad Thing
#9: Handwriting Help for Kids with Special Needs
#7: Down Syndrome: A Teacher of Life
#6: Teachers Who Loves Our Kids with Special Needs, We Thank You

Post #5: Support for Parents of Adults with Special Needs, Pt. 2

In part 2 of her series, Kathy Guzzo shares two lists. One features what not to say to support parents of adult children with special needs. Things like:

Everything’s going to be okay.
Don’t worry so much.
I know how you feel.
You look awful.
Call if you need something.

The second gives examples of what to say, such as:

I care about you.
It’s okay to cry, to feel sad or even angry.
You’re a great parent.
I have no idea how you feel, but I’m available to listen.
Whatever happens, I’m here for you.

She goes on to explain why parents need special, very understanding friends. The whole article can be found at Support for Parents of Adults with Special Needs, Pt. 2. (FYI: Kathy shared her top ten list of practical ways to encourage and support parents of adult children with special needs in Part 1 of the series.)

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By Jolene

Jolene Philo is the author of several books for the caregiving community. She speaks at parenting and special needs conferences around the country. Sharing Love Abundantly with Special Needs Families: The 5 Love Languages® for Parents Raising Children with Disabilities, which she co-authored with Dr. Gary Chapman, was released in August of 2019 and is available at local bookstores, their bookstore website, and Amazon. See Jane Dance!, the third book in the West River cozy mystery series, which features characters affected by disability, was released in October of 2023.