5 Ways to Set Realistic Goals for Kids with Special Needs

by JoleneMar 29, 2013School/Education, Special Needs Parenting3 comments

Goal setting is a balancing act for special needs parents & educators. This post explains how to set realistic goals for kids with special needs.

Goal setting can be a balancing act for parents of kids with special needs and educators who work with them. How do we set goals that challenge our children to reach their full potential and be realistic at the same time? Eliana Tardio offers excellent advice in a post at www.Mamiverse.com.

What Tardio Knows about Setting Realistic Goals

Eliana Tardio is the mom of two children with Down Syndrome. She currently works for the Florida State Program of Early Intervention as a Family Resource Specialist. She frequently blogs about advocating for and parenting children with special needs at Mamiverse.

5 Ways to Set Realistic Goals

Tardio offers these five tips about setting realistic goals:

Remember that the most important part of school for your child is learning life skills that will help him thrive and be as independent as possible.
Take small steps instead of setting big goals.
Think of every experience is a learning opportunity.
Be realistic about the things you can change or improve through therapies or additional services.
Work closely with all the people involved in your child’s education.

She ends the article with this reminder to parents: “Celebrate those small things that others may let pass by unnoticed. And remember, your most important goal…is to find happiness in his everyday achievements and let him know that he is loved and appreciated.”

Good advice, don’t you think? Check out the entire post at Five Ways Parents of Children with Special Needs Can Set Realistic Goals. While you’re at the site, click on Tardio’s name to get a complete listing of her posts so you can read more of her sound advice.

How Do You Set Realistic Goals?

What helps you and the teachers who work with your child set realistic goals? Leave a comment about the strategies that work for you. Thanks!

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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 Sing!, the second book in the West River cozy mystery series, which features characters affected by disability, was released in November of 2022.

3 Comments

Jolene on April 2, 2013 at 1:26 pm

Dear Nakie,

Thanks for adding your comments. They are so true. And thanks for working with students who have developmental disabilities.

Jolene
Nakie on March 31, 2013 at 1:53 pm

I agree, but would add 2 comments:
1. Treat and respect your son, daughter or student as a person with ideas of their own.
2. Never set expectations too low.
I have taught students with developmental disabilities for over 20 years and have found they are wonderful people near and dear to my heart.
Ruth Stieff on March 30, 2013 at 3:32 pm

Very good advice.