Harrington Meyer talks to AARP about grandparenting special needs kids

March 2, 2021

AARP

Madonna Harrington Meyer

Sociology Department

Aging Studies Institute

Center for Policy Research

Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion and Population Health

Aging

Child & Elder Care

Disability

United States

AARP

Madonna Harrington Meyer

Being the grandparent of a child with special needs can bring incredible joy but is also complicated. About 17 percent of children are diagnosed with some kind of disability, says University Professor Madonna Harrington Meyer, co-author of the book "Grandparenting Children With Disabilities." While that percentage seems to be increasing, support programs for families are not, she says. "Sometimes the grandparents are actually out in front," says Harrington Meyer. "But then they learn what it is. They learn what it means. And then they hit the ground running." Read more in the AARP article, "How to Grandparent a Child With Special Needs."