Parents and a dentist share tips on how to get dental care for children with disabilities or special health care needs.
Related content: Navigating Daily Life, How to talk to your Doctor
A diagnosis is often the first step on your path to the right support for a child with a disability. For Patty, it took years to find the right healthcare experts who could pinpoint the root cause of her daughter Jessica’s health challenges. Patty’s friend insisted that Patty get a genetic test for Jessica. Once Patty had a diagnosis, she gained further clarity on how to navigate life with Jessica and she found a network of parents going through the same challenges.
When Alan turned 19, his mother Rosalba noticed a change in his mental health. With the help of their doctor, Alan was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This diagnosis was a critical step in caring for Alan and helping him reclaim his zest for life. Along the way, Rosalba and her family received support from other parents of children with disabilities that let her know she was not alone.
What if your child’s disability isn’t immediately obvious to the world? Here, experts and parents of children with “invisible disabilities” discuss their unique challenges—and how they deal with them.