During these challenging times, I've witnessed a transformation in the way parents and professionals approach the development of children with special needs. Here's my analysis: Hope for Parents: Parents who once feared their child's lack of cooperation and heavily relied on rehabilitation services have discovered that the key to progress lies within the walls of their own homes. They've learned that a slower pace, patience, and a deeper understanding of their child are invaluable. More importantly, they've realized that focusing on the individual needs of their child is far more critical than an all-encompassing diagnosis. These parents have found innovative ways to incorporate Occupational Therapy, Language Development, Special Education, and behavioral goals into daily chores, often without the need for extensive equipment or materials, contrary to the previous beliefs of many professionals. The prioritization of self-help skills alongside academic teachings has been a game-changer. As we move forward, these empowered parents will become strong advocates for their children, ensuring that they can function more independently, particularly within the comfort of their own homes. Hope for Professionals: Professionals in the field have also gone through a significant shift in their approach. They now understand that they can better serve their clients by empowering the entire family, not just focusing on the child. It's clear that every session involves working with unique and diverse children, each with individual needs within their specific family and community context. Excessive support systems that were inadvertently disempowering have been phased out. This shift has pushed everyone out of their comfort zones, enabling children and parents to reach their full potential. In this process, parents have assumed competence in their children, and as a result, children have performed at their best. Hope for Families: Families have come together during this transformative journey. Children have blossomed like never before, and it's evident that inclusion and acceptance of diversity start at home and within families before seeking it elsewhere. Families now firmly believe that they are the best therapists, and their homes are the best therapy centers.
