Family Support
A child's universe is their family. Their family knows them the best and everyone in the family can be involved in a child's growth and development.
So we think it is important to:
Meet with the family
We would like to get to know you and your family better. This helps us understand your child better. It helps us know what is important to you and your family.
Involve the family in decisions
You know what your child is good at. You know what challenges your child faces in every day life. The therapists need to develop goals for your child with your input.
We will want to meet with you and others that involved in your child’s life, such as preschool teachers or grandparents. An initial meeting will involve getting to know what your family’s goals are and how we can help you to achieve these. We call this an Individual Family Service Plan and with this we aim to work together with you to provide a program that best meets the needs of your child.
Empower the family to learn and grow
The more that your family can understand your child and learn skills that will help your child, the better equipped your family will be to enjoy your times together and help your child grow to their potential. There are many resources, information sources, materials and opportunities that are available for parents with a child with additional needs.
Provide Family & Counselling support
A family worker will facilitate some parent groups at the Centre. She is also available to meet with family members to:
- give assistance with particular family challenges,
- suggest possible resources and information,
- be someone you can chat to if you have a question or concern
- support, listen, or encourage during difficult times
- educate families on special parenting skills,
- facilitate families in meeting and networking with other families in similar circumstances,
- assist with behaviour management programs for the child and family.
“Families have the greatest opportunity to provide the greatest influence over their child’s developing competencies.”
(Davies, Sue: 2006, Team Around the Child)
Parents and carers of children with additional needs can have a very high degree of stress with even day to day activities. Their situation is challenging for the whole family, including siblings. Parents can commonly feel under-resourced, exhausted and invisible trying to parent a child with a disability.
Parents have a wealth of internal resources already present that they may not be utilising. To empower parents with their internal strengths and increase their external resources can make a big difference in the well-being of the entire family. When parents are well resourced and their thinking reframed, the same circumstances can be considered a gift.
We know there are no magic cures, but we know that it gets better when you have hope.
Resource Library
Bridges for Learning has a broad range of books, magazines, tapes, videos and workbooks on a variety of topics for parents and children. It can also be useful to professionals working with children with special needs and students in welfare, disability and education courses.
We also have a broad selection of toys for varying ranges of skills and abilities for the whole family. It also has specific therapeutic equipment and specialised toys for children with additional needs. Our staff can help you choose what would suit your child.
These resources are available to anyone in the community.
MyTime Parent Support Group
A free support group for parents and carers of young children with a disability or chronic medical condition. Free child care while parents are in the group.
For more information on MyTime groups, visit www.mytime.net.au. This group is supported by Playgroup NSW.
Diagnosis Support Program
The Early Start Diagnosis Program aims to provide parents or carers with counselling and support at the very difficult time when they are either seeking a diagnosis for their child’s difficulties, or have recently received a diagnosis of a disability for their child.
There are up to 8 sessions available for each family that enters the program. The individual needs of each family are considered and the content and structure of sessions are tailored to meet those needs.
Early Start Diagnosis Support is provided free of charge to eligible families. Read more.
PlayConnect Playgroup for Children with an ASD
Free playgroup for any family that has a child aged from 0-6 years who has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or ASD-like behaviours, is welcome to join a PlayConnect Playgroup. Your child does not need a formal ASD diagnosis to join a PlayConnect Playgroup.
PlayConnect Playgroups are designed to help families of children with autism through play based activities. It’s also a great opportunity for connecting with other families in similar circumstances to your own.
Other Support
Support or counselling is available for individual parents or siblings. Please contact us for additional information.
- “I have a better understanding of his needs thus giving me the ability to be more tolerant and patient” - AA.
- “It is sometimes difficult to relate to a child with special needs. This program has given me a range of skills to access in relating to my child.” - LB.
- “All families would benefit from this program before starting school” (with reference to knowledge gained) - KP.
- “It has allowed for other friendships to develop between other mothers as well” - AA.