Nayi Disha Editor, Author at Nayi Disha

Preventing Caregiver Burnout in Parents of Children with Special Needs

Posted on November 15, 2022 - 10:39 am by Nayi Disha Editor

Caregiver burnout is a real concern among parents of children with special needs who are, in most cases, the primary caregivers of their children with special needs. Caring full-time for their children with special needs can be mentally and physically taxing on parents, and can lead to caregiver burnout, especially in the absence of adequate self-care and support.

Risk factors for caregiver burnout:

Being the primary caregiver for your child
Lack of emotional and physical support
Lack of self-care
Lack of coping skills
Social isolation
Marital problems
Financial difficulties

Signs of caregiver burnout:

Feeling helpless and hopeless
Feeling anxious and overwhelmed
Feeling sad and lonely
Feeling irritable and angry
Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy
Withdrawing from family and friends
Being unable to take care of yourself and your child
Wanting to hurt yourself or your child
Gaining or losing weight
Sleeping too much or too less
Having headaches and body aches
Falling sick often

Checklist to Avoid Caregiver Burnout

Here are some things you can do to avoid caregiver burnout:

Ask for help – Everyone needs help. Don’t hesitate to ask for it when you need it. Enlist the help of your partner and family members to take care of your child, or explore other options like day care, respite care, or hiring a nanny or a nurse to look after your child. If it’s difficult to delegate your child’s care to others, delegate other responsibilities, such as cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, and other household chores.
Take care of yourself – You can’t pour from an empty cup. Make sure to take care of yourself so that you can take care of others. You can do so by practicing self-compassion, taking breaks, doing things that you love, socialising, eating well, exercising, and getting adequate sleep and rest.
Have realistic expectations – You are only human. Know, acknowledge, respect and work with your limitations. Have realistic expectations from yourself and be kind to yourself if you are not able to meet them.
Set realistic goals – Taking care of a child with special needs is like running a marathon, not a sprint, so it’s important to set realistic goals, not just for your child, but also for yourself. Be sure to pace yourself so that you are able to sustain yourself in the long run.
Celebrate the wins – Parenting a child with special need can feel like a never-ending series of battles with more losses than wins. That’s why it’s important to celebrate your child’s and your wins, no matter how small they might seem. Every achievement is a big achievement when it comes to raising a child with special needs so be sure to pat your child’s and your back when you achieve something.
Join support groups – Parenting a child with special needs can be a very lonely journey because no one in your life understands what it’s like to be a parent to a child with special needs. Joining parent support groups is a great way to connect with others going through the same journey so that you don’t feel alone anymore. You can join Nayi Disha parent support groups to connect with other parents here.

If you think you might be suffering from caregiver burnout, please talk to your doctor or a mental healthcare professional for further help.

You can read more about caregiver self-care here:

If you have questions about Autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD, or other intellectual disabilities, or have concerns about developmental delays in a child, the Nayi Disha team is here to help. For any questions or queries, please contact our FREE Helpline at 844-844-8996. You can call or WhatsApp us.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that this article is for information purposes only. If you require professional counselling or any medical help please consult a qualified practitioner for immediate guidance and support.

7 Tips to Enjoy a Sensory-Friendly Diwali with Your Child

Posted on October 14, 2022 - 2:58 pm by Nayi Disha Editor

It’s that time of the year where we gather with our family and friends to celebrate the festival of lights. While all of us look forward to this time of the year, the festival season can be daunting for our children with special needs, who thrive on routine and consistency, and have sensory sensitivities. Here are some things we can do to enjoy a sensory-friendly Diwali with our little ones:

Plan ahead – Festival time is a busy time. Plan ahead for anything your child might need during this time, so that you can relax and enjoy it with your child.
Prepare your child – Prepare your child for the upcoming holiday by letting them know what to expect during the holiday. This includes informing your child beforehand of any events that will be taking place and any guests that might be visiting. You can use visual schedules and social stories to help prepare your child.
Prepare your guests – If you have any guests visiting you during the holiday season, be sure to sensitize them to your child’s needs. This will ensure that they don’t upset your child inadvertently.
Stick to a routine – Festival time can be a chaotic time for children with special needs, who thrive on routine and consistency. It is, therefore, important to stick as closely as possible to your child’s usual routine, and inform your child beforehand if there are going to be any changes in routine.
Stick with the familiar – The festival season comes with new experiences for your child. Avoid introducing your child to anything else that is new during this time, be it new foods, new clothes, new skills, new activities, or new routines to keep your child from feeing overwhelmed
Take care of sensory needs – Festival time is filled with new sights, sounds, textures, and smells, and can be overwhelming for your child with sensory sensitivities. Here are some things you can do to have a sensory-friendly Diwali with your child –
- Prepare food that your child likes along with the Diwali sweets and savories.
- Use earplugs or noise-cancellation headphones to protect from loud sounds.
- Avoid bright or flashing lights if your child is bothered by them.
- Avoid strong scents if your child is sensitive to smells.
- When buying new clothes, make sure your child finds them comfortable to wear, and let your child wear comfortable clothes during the festival season.
Give your child space – If you notice that your child is feeling overwhelmed, please take him or her away from all the activity to a quiet place where he or she can unwind and recharge.

Wish you and your family a Happy sensory-friendly Diwali!

To know more about how to manage sensory issues, you can check our articles on ‘Sensory issues in children with Down syndrome’.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that this article is for information purposes only.