Special parents, special children in the new norm - surviving the spectrum: inspirational stories by parents of special needs kids

• Other Authors: Mokhtar, Aida
• Format: Book
• Language: English
• Published: Support Association for Parents of Special Needs Children 2024
• Subjects: HM Sociology; HT Communities. Classes. Races
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/114309/1/114309_Special%20parents%2C%20special%20children%20in%20the%20new%20norm.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/114309/

With regards to COVID-19 as of mid-July 2023, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had reported 767,726,861 confirmed cases and 6,948,764 deaths. The numbers are indeed alarming. The series of lockdowns, the use of face masks, social distancing and home schooling faced by parents in Malaysia encouraged us to adapt to a different kind of life. My son could not attend college and therapy sessions in person which he was accustomed to encouraging us to adapt to the new context. The editors and authors of this book are parents of children with special needs, that encounter both good times and challenges in life as they raise their children while having careers at the same time. Dr. Tanja Jonid and I as Editors were intrigued by the experiences of these parents during the COVID-19 pandemic, endemic and new norm spurring us to come up with this book. The new contexts have encouraged us to adapt our life to them shaping our problem-solving skills. In events, organisers often welcome parents to share their experiences in raising their children with special needs in person as they are useful for us to learn from and to empathise with, but for this book, the sharing of experiences has been carried out in writing. The compendium of stories from 14 parents strongly echoes the undercurrents of determination, optimism, and resilience felt by them with the hope of inspiring others not to give up and feel let down by the challenges while raising their children with special needs in the new norm. We hope it is an invaluable read for readers who are facing the same circumstances or for the public who are intrigued to know more of what parents of children with special needs go through in the new norm. The key message of the book is not to give up raising your children with special needs under any circumstances and believe that there is wisdom behind all that happens. Enjoy reading!