Each September, we publish our annual “Special Needs” issue! Like all of our issues, this is truly a community effort. We hear from businesses, organizations, parents, and relatives who continue to share stories and resources with us to share with you! We have gathered these resources into the Special Needs Resource Guide that can be found in this issue. The guide is filled with therapists, financial resources, recreational activities, support groups, and much more!
Over the years of publishing this particular directory, our family has found itself referring to it a few times as we have navigated the roads of speech therapy and ADHD. The speech issue was a very clear, obvious diagnosis; however, ADHD presented in my daughter in ways that were not as obvious. She was very driven academically, made great grades, and never got in trouble in school. However, during the lockdowns of 2020, she began to display some new frustrations with her schoolwork. We would find her in her room crying because she “could not finish” her work. This was not typical for her. In talking with her, she relayed that she was not having trouble understanding the work, but struggling to stay focused and motivated long enough to complete the work. We decided to make some calls to investigate things further.
After some appointments, research, and testing, the diagnosis did come back with ADHD. It was interesting to discover that the reason these signs had not shown up earlier was that she was unconsciously implementing coping mechanisms. When she was studying with her friends pre-lockdown, she was unconsciously “body doubling”. This is a tactic some use to help focus. Once we knew what the issue was, she was able to gain the tools she needed to manage her ADHD.
While this article mentions ADHD, I think all families could benefit from checking out Kerrie McLoughlin’s 9 Tips to Help ADHD Kids Get and Stay Organized. Who would not love more organization in their life? Yes please! (As a side note, I just have to say that not all kids who are unorganized have ADHD, and not all kids with ADHD are unorganized.)
While we were very fortunate to find quick answers and simple tools to navigate ADHD, many families are dealing with diagnoses that are much more severe. These families are managing extra medical visits, surgeries, therapy appointments, additional financial demands, and so much more. Walking that path can be incredibly overwhelming. Whether you are looking at a more manageable diagnosis or one more severe, hopefully, Sarah Lyons can provide a little encouragement in her feature, Navigating Special Needs.
Not only are we including these special resources, we also have our regular columns and news in this issue, plus our Family Calendar! As fall gears up, so do the community events! This month’s calendar includes concerts, charity events, festivals, and more.
As we close out this special issue, I also want to thank all the families, medical professionals, and community members serving these families for helping us find resources for this issue. Each of you is a huge inspiration to me. I meet parents with a strength I can only imagine, kids who are loving and determined, siblings whose protection and support show no bounds, along with individuals and medical professionals whose compassion is endless. These individuals and families are great examples of what can happen when people come together for a common good. We hope you have a wonderful month!
Author: Lynn Knighton
Lynn has called the Gulf area home since 2006 with her husband Brad and their 3 daughters. Following the sale of her Abrakadoodle franchise, Lynn still wanted to serve families and help them thrive. Becoming the Publisher of Greater Pensacola Parents was the perfect opportunity. Now she invests into family's lives each month by providing the area's #1 go-to resource for moms and dads.
