Thrive With Your Family: Supporting Kids with Special Needs and Preventing Sibling Fights

Experts discuss how to help kids with autism and development delays cope with change, and provide communication tips for family conflicts.

4:40 PM

Author | Rachel Zeichman

A nationally recognized panel of Michigan Medicine specialists tackle stressors, concerns and difficulties families face in the ever-changing environment of the current global pandemic. With candid conversations on parenting, the group addresses child behavior, mental health and relationships. Find all the episodes here.

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Children with special learning needs, like autism or developmental delays, usually receive extra support or "different" help in schools from their teachers. For some of these students, the relationships they build with other classmates serve as important roles in their personal growth. But in this new homeschool environment, how do parents fill in these gaps?

SEE ALSO: Keeping Our Patients Safe During COVID-19

In the fourth episode of Thrive With Your Family, Michigan Medicine specialists discuss how to assist your kids during this difficult time. Questions covered include:

  • How can you homeschool a four-year-old who is resistant to school work and has a speech delay? How much do you push? (3:01)

  • What online resources are available for speech and occupational therapy for nonverbal, high-functioning autism? Do you have strategies to help fill the gaps and maintain relationships for kids with autism and their peers? (18:18)

  • What tips do you have for sibling bickering? (29:52)

 

Editor's note: Information on the COVID-19 crisis is constantly changing. For the latest numbers and updates, keep checking the CDC's website. For the most up-to-date information from Michigan Medicine, visit the hospital's Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage. 

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More Articles About: Children's Health Community Health Autism Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD and ADHD) Mental Health
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