Here’s what a parent with a special needs child or a child with a disability will NOT tell you:
“There are times when I really need a babysitter for my child. Occasionally I need a night out, a break, some one-on-one time with my other children, or some quality time with my spouse. But I need a babysitter who can handle my child; someone who knows about her health challenges, her behavioral struggles, and her daily care. Where am I ever going to find someone like that?”
The answer is… nowhere. Parents are not going to find anyone who knows how to take care of their disabled child exactly like they do. That’s why they are going to have to train someone. Someone like YOU.
What you Should Know About Disabilities?
There are all sorts of child disabilities. They include autism, down syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cystic fibrosis, asthma, and many more. Some children are born with a disability, some develop a disability early in life, and others have a disability due to an accident or illness. You cannot “catch” a disability from someone else.
Just because someone has a physical disability (trouble moving) doesn’t always mean they have a mental disability (trouble thinking).
Chances are, you already know someone with a disability. Most children with disabilities are like you and me in that they want friends, respect, and to be included.
In my book I explain that you should always look for good behavior and reward it. That goes for disabled children too. I also teach you how to be encouraging. Children with disabilities need encouragement too.
You need to be trained by the parent. And only when you feel comfortable taking care of the disabled child by yourself, and the parents feel comfortable leaving their child alone with you, should you agree to take care of the child when both parents are away.
In my book I show you 5 steps to help you get started. I also show you 4 different ways you can help parents who have a disabled child, and I teach you 12 questions you need to ask parents about their disabled child.
I read a post in a blog called Ten Tips for Babysitting an Autistic Child you might be interested in. It was that article that inspired me to write this one. Here is the link:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/7703102/ten_tips_for_babysitting_an_autistic.html?cat=25