Finding Friendships

Credit: SisterLisa at Pixosphere

As homeschoolers, we take on all of the responsibilities of our children’s education, including the social aspects. I am talking about the “S” word, yes, but there is a different view of it when we’re discussing children with special needs. There is no lunchroom full of kids, or friends on the playground at recess twice a day. Although these environments aren’t always healthy, the fact that it is a social time remains. Friendships are important, but they are even more so for a child with special needs.

Our family has struggled with the friendship issue also. Special needs kids don’t make friends as easily as others do. Although difficult, there are several reasons why it is worthwhile to make the effort to find friends for your challenged child:

• Friends make them feel “normal”, especially as they enter adolescence
• Friends enrich their lives in a different way than family can
• Friends share their interests

Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.  Ecc. 4:9-10

The effort you put into finding friends for your child will pay off, but where do you find these friends?  Many of the same places any child finds them, with some modifications. If you are like our family, you spend time in therapies each week. There are unique opportunities, possibly right in front of you! Keep your eyes open and remember to seek out things like:

Join a playgroup or a homeschool co-op that is friendly to special needs families. Being with a group of kids on a regular basis opens that door wide for developing friendships!

Let your child try out a non-competetive sport through Upward or the YMCA. The sessions are short, the atmosphere is all about fun and teamwork, and it strengthens their self-confidence.

Ask your child’s therapist or social worker if you have one, to refer you to a family with similar challenges. Often  they will know who may be a good fit.

Throw a block party in your neighborhood and set up games or a face painting table for the kids. (Your kids will love you for this too!)

Get to know other parents in the waiting room at their therapies! This is a great chance for not only your kids but YOU to make a friend who understands your unique life.

Ask about  joining or starting a therapy social group if your child struggles with social norms and attends therapies. Our son had great experiences with a Speech/OT group he attended for four years. It helped him tremendously, and he made a couple of really great friends.

Above all, continue to be open to opportunities for your child to make some friendship connections.  Everyone needs friends!

 Join Dawn at her new blog The Momma Knows!