“Children with special needs face enormous challenges every single day! But how do we define a child with special needs? By understanding them better, we can better comprehend the challenges faced by parents of seriously ill children, the responsibilities of our society towards these children, and what each one of us can do to help.” (Terry Pomerantz)
What Is a Child With Special Needs?
A child with special needs has one or more conditions that result in them developing differently from most children of the same age.
A child with special needs may exhibit some of the following characteristics:
- Physical impairment (such as an amputation)
- Sensory impairment (partial or complete blindness, varying degrees of hearing loss)
- Intellectual disability (for example, trisomy)
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Attention deficit disorders — ADD/ADHD
- Speech or language difficulties.
Depending on the nature and severity of their primary condition, a child with special needs may experience an overall delay in intellectual development along with varying challenges related to adaptation and learning.
Challenges a Child with Special Needs Faces
A child with special needs may face challenges in:
- Development
- Socialization
- Learning
- Integration in daily life and activities.
On a daily basis, such a child might need assistance with:
- Basic activities (eating, dressing, hygiene, time management)
- Medication administration
- Adapting to environmental changes
- School integration
- Interpersonal relationships to avoid social isolation due to atypical behaviours
- Accessing the specialized resources (education, healthcare, financial supports) they are entitled to.
Challenges Faced by Parents of a Child with Special Needs
While a child with special needs can be a great source of love for parents, they also represent significant daily challenges, including:
- Fatigue caused by the demands of caregiving, constant worry, a lack of professional services, and numerous administrative and medical processes.
- Financial concerns due to a parent having to miss work for medical appointments, the additional costs associated with raising a child with special needs, and the expenses of specialized care and equipment when required.
- Social isolation, as having a child with special needs can complicate outings. Schedules become stricter, and those around them may feel uneasy about the situation. Over time, opportunities for social interaction may dwindle.
Solutions and Support
To promote the well-being, autonomy, and development of the child, both parents and the child’s close circle should:
- Take advantage of government programs that support these children along with specialized services offered by many community organizations.
- Encourage the child to participate in educational, cultural, sporting, and social activities suited to their needs.
- Join a group of parents whose children face similar conditions to build a robust network of support.
- Work closely with teachers, involved professionals, and healthcare providers to adjust interventions and ensure continuity.
- Ensure that peers interacting with the child understand their situation and show empathy.
- Take care of yourself—with balanced nutrition, regular exercise, good sleep, outings in nature, and cultural activities (music, reading, cinema) to stay centred.
- Foster your relationship by setting aside quality time together.
How to Foster the Development of a Child with Special Needs?
For the sake of the child’s development and inclusion, both in school and in society at large, parents, teachers, and the child’s immediate circle should consider the child’s specific abilities, provide opportunities for success, and recognize their contributions to the family, school community, and society.
It is important that those closest to the child create an environment that nurtures autonomy and self-confidence while helping them regulate their emotions and build resilience.
Helpful Resources for Parents of a Child With Special Needs
Consult your local CLSC or your child’s physician to find out which community and government resources are available. Here are some examples of community support resources:
- La Coalition de parents d’enfants à besoins particuliers du Québec ‒ representing parents of children with special needs on school and educational matters to defend their interests.
- Solidarité de parents de personnes handicapées (SPPH) ‒ assisting parents of children with any type of disability to build their capacity and adapt to the situation.
- Quebec Government Programs ‒ offering information on numerous government initiatives to support children with special needs and their families (financial aid, tax measures, technical support, education, and schooling).
FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 7 fundamental needs of a child?
Most specialists agree that a child’s fundamental needs include:
- Health
- Education
- Emotional and physical security
- Identity
- Social relationships
- Self-esteem
- Behavioural and emotional development.
What challenges does a typical child face?
- Physical challenges and motor skills: learning coordination for running, holding a pencil, dressing.
- Socialization: learning how to interact with others and make friends.
- Managing emotions (fear, sadness, frustration)
- Adjusting to changes (changing schools, moving, establishing a new routine)
- School and cognitive challenges (independence with homework, understanding instructions, concentration, test-related stress, adapting to learning pace).
What challenges do children with special needs face?
- Physical development challenges
- They often struggle with mastering motor, language, and cognitive skills (walking, handling objects, reasoning, following directions).
- Social and emotional challenges
- These children may have difficulties establishing relationships, managing inclusion, and regulating their emotions in social settings or unexpected situations.
- Challenges in autonomy
- They require appropriate assistance and supervision to function adequately at home, in school, or during leisure activities.
The Pomerantz Foundation
Since 1991, the Pomerantz Family Foundation has been supporting both children facing serious illnesses and children with special needs, along with their families.
Over the years, the foundation has provided substantial financial aid to organizations such as Altergo, le Phare, Starlight and Myra’s Kids.
“Today, just as in the past, sick children and children with special needs rely on your generosity to help them integrate smoothly into our society and contribute to it.” (Terry Pomerantz)
Entrepreneur and prominent figure in Montreal's real estate and manufacturing sectors, Terry Pomerantz approaches every aspect of life with heart and character. At the helm of Domfoam and T.R.A.M.S Property Management, he carries on his late father's legacy while dedicating his philanthropic commitment to the Pomerantz Foundation, which has been actively supporting children's causes since 1991.