(In Retrospect) WD edition – Inspiring Inclusion of Special Needs Mums In The Workplace.
A Message to Career Mums with Special Needs Kids, HR Managers & Business Owners.
A few years ago, a woman reached out to me. Her child had just been diagnosed with autism. She wanted to resign and focus on him. I told her that it wasn’t a bad idea but she should consider other options.
There is no quick fix to a developmental disorder. It may not happen in Paths, 2 years, 5 years…
Managing disability in Nigeria is very expensive so she needs her source of income.
3.I have seen couples get a divorce because of the presence of a special needs child.
4. I have seen men (and women but more of men) disappear without paying for the care of their special needs child
.6. I have seen mums who leave their jobs to focus on their special needs child, lose themselves in the process, become depressed and then sick.
7. I have seen mums who try to get back into the work system after a few years and are unable to do so.
8. I have seen mums who get bitter later in life because of lost opportunities and pour their anger on their special needs child.
On the positive side
1. I have seen families who stay together, work as a team and live their best life.
2. I have seen women who also start businesses that flourish
However, I do not have a crystal ball to see how your own life would turn out. Therefore, I will advise for caution before resigning from a lucrative job.
What can a career woman do in that instance?1. Take a paid leave
2. Take an unpaid leave for a period of three months or beyond (sabbatical leave) to process her new reality (grief, acceptance, prayers, coping mechanism etc.).
3 Seek for help for her child
4. Build a support System This is where HR & Business owners come in – support career mums who have children with disabilities. Create systems through which they can tell someone what they are going through and find support through the organisation.
An HR personnel has once called me to help a staff process her new reality as a special needs mum. As an organisation, give the woman time to process her child’s diagnosis. By doing this, you are doing much more than promoting inclusion, you are saving lives.
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