Community support for children with special needs is repaid many times over through the benefits that develop for every child in the community.

Something delightful that you may find if you take risks in putting yourself and your family into mainstream activities and programs is that there are already folks in your neighborhood and city who are welcoming and knowledgeable about disabilities and they have learned from unexpected potential other children with special needs have shown them.

Most of us were 'civilians' when our sons and daughters were diagnosed, or started to show the extent of their challenges. Many of us had little or no contact with children or adults with disabilities before our own children were welcomed into the world. We may have the same expectations of people we meet in our community, but many other families have loved ones who were born with or developed disabilities, special needs, developmental delays or chronic health conditions.

I hope that you find many wonderful neighbors and friends who will benefit from your family's participation in the community, and that you will be the delight of many families who do not yet know they will be welcoming a child with special needs into their lives.

Sibling Support and Rivalry - Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art33375.asp

Cousins of Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art44239.asp

Lifetime Video Health Corner Series -
Parents Who Are Caregivers - Lifetime Video Health Corner
Caring for the Caregiver - Lifetime Video Health Corner
Stress and Caregivers - Lifetime Video Health Corner
Too Much? Siblings and Stress - Lifetime Video Health Corner
http://healthcorner.walgreens.com/display/129.htm

Max Lewis - Notes on a Scandal
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com

Film Clip Max Lewis - Notes on a Scandal
http://www.foxsearchlight.com/NOAS