Q7: My Child Needs Special Education, but I Refuse To Get Him Help. Am I Doing The Right Thing?

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

PARENTAL RESPONSES:
(My response is at the bottom)

• If the majority of people only knew how common this was...
• That is so sad. So the kid gets short-changed because of the adult's ego?
• Nothing wrong with special education, get him everything he needs to succeed in life.
• It's called neglect. By asking whether the right decision was made makes me think that the parent(s) may also require some assistance.
• If I had a quarter for every time I hear this...
• Sounds like she needs help first.
• The other option is to give him special education services on your own.
• Decide by clearing everything out of the way of your thinking...and prayerfully look at the situation and do whatever is in the child's best interest regardless of where your feelings are in the matter.
• Some parents are in denial.
• The parent's ego is destroying the child's future.
• In my opinion, she should get him help because she may not be able to give him what he really needs by herself.

DR. LISA'S RESPONSES:

• No, you are not doing the right thing for your child.
• Special education is not a parental failure.
  • If you do not do the best that you can for your child, then you will not give your child a chance to become the optimal person that he can be in life.
• If your objections are not in reference to the delivery of services that your child will receive, then I am going to assume that it is something within you that is blocking your child educational progress.
• We all have dreams for our kids.
  • Recalibrate your vision for your kid.
  • Special education is not a weakness.
  • Therapy can help you make your way through this emotional process.
  • Maximize your child's talents instead of focusing on negative thoughts.
• No one wants to admit when things are wrong. I am glad that you asked this question.

SUMMARY
This is a common question (and feeling) regarding special education services for many parents. The difference here is the refusal to move forward with obtaining help for your child. It's not fair to your child and there are many professionals at his school who can help. Gather all of your questions and ask them to guide you through this process. If you continue to refuse special education services for your child, then your child is the one who suffers. I hope that this answers your question, and good luck!

OF NOTE: The comments that reference hearing this type of question, repeatedly, are from educators, FYI.