Any child is perceived as a blessing to the parent.
Whether boy, girl, disabled or healthy, it is important for the child to receive the parents' attention and to have the essential needs met.
However, some parents are not able to provide most of the basic needs due to ignorance, financial problems or even out of lack of interest in taking care of the child.
This may be a predicament facing many children with disabilities all over the world.
There have been many cases of neglect, malicious punishments or even murder by parents whose children have special needs.
One thing people need to realize about parenting is that the child's mind is developing and the situations he is exposed to will have a great impact in future.
As a result, it is important to treat this child with special needs just like the others in the house.
This will give the child the urge to live and accomplish goals he sets in life.
This may not happen if the child is segregated.
For instance, if the other children want to watch a movie or to hang out, it would be wrong to lock the disabled child in the house claiming that it is not right for him to be seen in malls or parks.
If you host parties for your other children, this one should not be an exception.
You should do so and invite his classmates or friends.
In short, let the child live like a child.
You can also try to look for things this child loves.
This will help you tap any talents that the child may not know of.
This can only happen if you spend some alone time with your child.
You can organize to have quality time with each of the children, and if you only have one child, this one, the two of you can organize some time away from school or work.
Listen to his needs and you can establish hobbies you feel will help him.
When the communication channel is open, the child will be free to inform you in case he has health or emotional issues.
This is important because the child needs protection and assurance because the world may not always be open to listen to him.
However, an important fact about parenting is that though this child needs your love, it does not mean mothering him when he misbehaves.
One area most people go wrong about parenting is thinking that talking to the child means you let your discipline guard down.
You need to inform him that there is no way out in case he is caught in mischief.
This will establish a level of accountability for his actions.
The child will also respect the boundaries you have created.
To do this, make sure the child understands what you expect from him and the consequences if he acts contrary.