Since the 1 970s, numerous federal and state laws have been passed to ensure that children with chronic illnesses or disabilities have the same educational and developmental opportunities as other children. Many states have initiated programs to identify children with disabilities at a young age to help minimize developmental delays and reduce the long-term dependency that could other wise afflict a special-needs child.

Children with a chronic illness or disability deserve to live with their family and to share in the everyday experiences most of us take for granted. In many states, programs for children with special health needs are inadequate and new laws are often implemented slowly. That's why you need to be an advocate for your child. Try to work within the system to obtain the services and programs that your child is entitled to.

Make your child's interests and needs known to the professionals you work with. Ask your child's doctor to help you gain access to local resources. Work with community, state, and national programs to address your child's needs, to improve access to services, and to enhance the quality of those services. Parent activism has often been the force behind increases in local and federal support for children with disabilities. Do your part by participating on boards, councils, and committees and being active in local, state, and federal legislatures.

A number of state and national groups can help parents who want to be effective advocates for their children. Protection and advocacy agencies, staffed mainly by lawyers and social workers, can help you understand specific federal laws and court rulings relating to the rights of children with special needs. Parent training and information centers are part of a national network of parent-run projects to help parents work more effectively with professionals to meet the educational needs of their children.

Support groups exist for almost every disorder, many sponsored by hospitals and social service agencies. In a support group, parents can share experiences, concerns, and practical solutions to everyday problems, and give each other emotional support. They often find that, as a group, they have more power to bring about the changes needed to increase special services for their children. These support groups typically have great resources for anyone who needs support in a particular area. One of the benefits of support groups is the fact they are also extremely knowledgeable regarding current laws that may affect your child. Typically some of these groups are run by professionals who volunteer their time and effort to support the members of these groups. Therefore in a support group, it is easy for someone to get excellent professional services in law, medical and other areas at minimal or no cost at all. Also since most of these groups are non-profit making organizations, one can count on the support that they receive to be genuine with no hidden conditions. Another great benefit that they offer is the fact that people who are facing similar issues with their children are able to help, encourage and advice each other.