Caring for children with a disability

If you are worried about how your child is developing, it's important to get help early. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the sooner you can begin to find the help, support or services that will help you and your child.

Here are some things you can do:

• keep track of your child’s development in the Blue Book provided by NSW Health
• discuss any doubts and concerns with your local early childhood nurse, family doctor or GP
• follow your instincts and get a second medical or expert opinion whenever you feel it's necessary.

Early intervention is highly beneficial for children with disabilities. Research shows that when the right help and learning strategies are provided early enough, positive results can be achieved faster and maintained over the long term.

After a diagnosis of disability, it's very common for parents to feel emotionally overwhelmed.

You might feel sad thinking about your disappointed dreams for your child. There can be feelings of blame and fear about what the future will look like.

Know that this is completely normal. Acknowledging your emotions, rather than trying to push them away, is the healthiest thing to do.

These negative feelings won't stay forever. Most parents and families eventually come to terms with the diagnosis and start to feel OK. When that happens, you will be ready to move on with your life and start helping your child.

In the meantime, it's important to look after yourself. Take some time, talk to people close to you and get to know other parents who are in a similar situation.

Enjoy time with your child

Children with a developmental delay or disability are first and foremost children. Their disability is not the most important part of who they are.

Your child might be developing differently from other children, but there will be plenty of achievements and milestones she or he will be reaching along the way.

Celebrate and focus on progress - yours and your child’s. Cherish this time and try to see your child as simply the person you love and want to raise - beyond the disability.

There are many organisations offering a wide range of intervention, therapy and support services for children with disability and their families. Understanding what these services do and how the disability services system works is the first step in finding the best possible support for your child.

The Raising Children website provides invaluable tips and guidance on how to find the right service providers for your child. It also offers helpful resources for parents and carers.

Life Without Barriers is registered with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and can support you to navigate and access the supports you need. Use their service locator to see what disability services are delivered in your area.

National Disability Insurance Scheme

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an Australia-wide scheme that provides high-quality care and support to people with significant and permanent disability.

The NDIS recognises that people have different needs so provides choice about the type of services and support a person needs in order to live life their way, achieve their goals and participate in the community. It also provides funding for early intervention therapies and one-off items such as wheelchairs and communication devices.

Visit their website for more information about services, eligibility requirements and how it can help your child and family.