The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Parents Raising Children with Special Needs

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
Assalamu alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Parents Raising Children with Special Needs by Sharon Gabison (modified from Stephen Covey's The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People)

1. Be Proactive. You will end up becoming your child's best specialist and your child's best advocate. To be your child's best advocate, you need to learn what it is you need to advocate for. Educate Yourself.
2. Begin with the end in mind. The "end" can reflect the next 10-minutes, the end of the day, or 20 years down the road. Regardless of where the "end" is, plan. You would never venture out on a road trip without a map. A map is a plan. The future, whether immediate or long term is a ride that needs a plan. Your child's roadmap to the future is your plan.
3. Put First Things First. Try to maintain a sense of "normalcy" as best as possible. Your life does not have to be completely defined by your child's disorder. You are still a family. Don't forget other family members. Don't forget the "others" in your life.
4. Think Win/Win. Learn how to get what your child needs by helping others understand how helping your child will help them. If others understand how they will benefit by helping your child, then they may be more apt to help.
5. Seek first to understand then to be understood. You can't expect others to understand and help you or your child if they don't understand the disorder. You may need to educate other parents/family members and those interacting with our children on a day to day basis.
6. Synergize. Connect with Other Parents/Families. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
7. Sharpen the Saw. Take care of yourself. Look after yourself spiritually, mentally, physically and socially.