How do I support my child with emotional disability at home?

Actively accepting a child’s emotional disability and seeking out supports within both a child’s school and their broader social world can make a huge difference in the long term.

Applying the same kinds of accommodations that a student receives at school in the home helps establish a consistent system for their learning and mental health. Some services that are easy to adapt to the home are giving children movement or play breaks between homework assignments, for example, or allowing them to do their work with music on. Parents should also remain in contact with educators and IEP team members outside of scheduled meetings as their schedules allow.

Some of the biggest obstacles for students with emotional disabilities are not necessarily the manifestations of their disabilities, but the anxieties, stereotypes, and self-fulfilling prophecies that come with the ED label. Outcomes improve immensely with early and active intervention, when parents are engaged with their child’s IEP team and school. There is nothing to lose by speaking up, asking questions, and learning more.

For additional resources for families, see our full article about emotional disability.