In this conversation, Shanda Deo-Bickaroo and Dr. Debra Bartholomew, two parents of children with autism, discuss their experiences as special needs parents and advocates.

They share their challenges in finding appropriate education and support for their children, as well as the stigma and judgment they face from society. Despite the difficulties, they demonstrate resilience and determination in advocating for their children's needs.

The conversation highlights the importance of community support and understanding in the lives of special needs parents and their children. The conversation explores the challenges and experiences of being a special needs parent and the importance of building a supportive community.

The speakers discuss the difficulties of navigating societal attitudes and the need for empathy and understanding. They share personal stories of interactions with the community, both positive and negative, and highlight the power of advocacy and education.

The conversation emphasizes the importance of love, strength, and self-acceptance in the special needs parenting journey.

Keywords

special needs parents, autism, education, support, challenges, advocacy, resilience, community, special needs parenting, challenges, community, empathy, understanding, advocacy, education, love, strength, self-acceptance

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Importance of Community

02:29Challenges in Education and Individuality of Autism

06:43Differences in Support Systems Across Countries

11:33Finding a Place for Children with Autism in Education

16:31Navigating the Challenges of Special Needs Parenting

22:09Importance of Non-Academic Aspects of Education

29:43The Impact of Labels and Building Resilience

38:12Dealing with Seizures and the Emotional Toll

41:37Sleeping Challenges and Sensory Sensitivity

43:42Interactions with Society and Lack of Support

44:29Public Reactions and Stigma

45:20Advocacy and Bullying

49:24Educating and Sensitizing the Community

55:17Building a Supportive Community and Embracing Differences

01:13:30The Power of Love and Community

About our guests

Dr. Debra Bartholomew is trained in Ophthalmology but says she has always been an educator. Thus when her first child was diagnosed with autism, it became the norm for Debra to seek to educate everyone with whom they built relationships. Why? Because she wanted her child to be treated as human, she says. Debra works alongside her two sons, one of whom has an autism diagnosis, to educate and support persons with autism and their families.

Shanda Deo's first son was diagnosed as autistic, and after extreme challenges to find primary school education access for him, she began working in a pre-school and took her son with her to give him the tailored support he needed. With her son now an adult while still dependent on her and her family, Shanda now runs her own micro-centre to help special needs children develop social, academic and other skills.

About the podcast host

Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a special needs parent and coach to parents, a podcaster, author, and strategy lecturer. She runs the Special Needs Parent Podcast because she aims to make special needs parents feel valued, connected, and supported.

Get her Amazon bestselling book, Lighting the Path, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://books2read.com/lightingthepath⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find Marcia on Facebook at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/MarciaNB8/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on Instagram @specialneedsparentjourney

Join the FREE Lighting the Path Community for Special Needs Parents at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/jG6JEHafR3TWTyqG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠