A card from Fair Play by Eve Rodsky
Special Needs & Mental Health (Kids)
Obviously, this card needs to be CPE’d with tremendous care if your child has special needs or mental health issues. From identifying the problem to finding the best resources, scheduling appointments, monitoring medication, planning treatment, handling a school IEP, and beyond, this cardholder will steer the ship that guides your child safely and with love. It takes a village, so your Planning should include how to utilize any help from your wider support system to create an environment that fosters progress.
Holding this card means owning all three
Conception
You need to take care of yourself
Planning
$1b
Execution
OTHER THINGS TO NOTE IF IT IS AN ALLERGY/FOOD SENSITIVITY:
- Working closely w/ “Health Insurance” cardholder to get coverage and medications for the issue
- Advocating & meeting with school educators to secure necessary supports (i.e., IEP)
- Supporting child
- Attending specialist appointments
- Purchasing EpiPen if needed (or coordinating w/ “Medical & Healthy Living” cardholder)
- Packing a snack bin for classroom with safe alternative snacks
- Meeting with the school nurse
- Asking school to inform other parents to let them know who your child is and what is safe and unsafe for them to eat since they may be volunteering in classroom or sending in treats
- Purchasing apps that have information for grocery shopping and restaurant finding
- Always have safe snacks on hand
Suggested Minimum Standard of Care
Do each of you feel reasonably well?
A starting point. You and your partner agree the real standard together, and the holder meets it without reminders.
Holding it well
- It’s a Daily Grind: relentless and time-bound. Make sure each of you holds a fair share of these, ideally one from each suit.
- The holder owns all of it: noticing, planning and doing. No “just tell me what to do.”
- Agree the Minimum Standard of Care together, then let the holder meet it their way.
- Not working? Bring it to the weekly check-in and re-deal it. Don’t take it back mid-week.
Put this card on your table
Deal it, agree its standard, and see who holds what. Free.