Invisible special needs. Hidden disabilities. Call them what you will, but at some point, parents of kids with special needs not immediately visible to others, should talk to their children. Mary Mazzoni addresses the issue at her blog, Life After IEPs.

Talking with Kids about Hidden Disabilities

Mazzoni asks some thought-provoking questions early in the article: “Do we try to ‘shield’ our kids from the words that describe their struggle with reading, or their difficulty with behavioral self regulation, or their challenges interacting with others? When and how do we talk to our kids about their disability when it is not physically apparent?”

Provide Context

First of all, Mazzoni says we should provide context by helping kids:

• identify their specific strengths and challenges
• develop strategies to accommodate their challenges
• discover their passions and goals
• understand that they can attain their goals despite their challenges

More Hidden Disabilities Tips

Mazzoni offers these tips near the end of the article:

• When explaining the label, avoid passing on negative or positive emotions since kids pick up on spoken and unspoken signals. Mazzoni reassures parents by saying, “Often, among those feelings was a sense of relief—knowing that the challenges they face have a name—that they could learn more about the disability—and that there are others who face similar challenges.”
• Watch the videos created by Dr. Stephen Shore. Shore lives with Asperger’s Syndrome and has helped hundreds of youth, families, and adults on their journey with autism.

What Do You Think?

What do you think of Mazzoni’s advice and the resources she recommends? Have you thought about how you’ll approach a special needs discussion with your child when the time comes? Or have you already had that conversation? How did it go? Leave a comment to share your wisdom with the rest of us!

photo credit: www.freedigitalphotos.net

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