Types of support for your child with a disability: FAQs

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• I don’t understand what supports and services we will need for my child.
• My child has many support needs. I am not even sure where to start in the system.
• I feel like my other children are missing out.
• I love my child, but I find caring for her full time is exhausting.
• What services may require planning well in advance?
• Other mums and dads in my parents group don’t seem to be able to relate to my child or to my needs.
• I worry about what will happen when we are no longer able to look after our child at home.
• We can’t afford to provide all the supports our child needs.
• My child is starting preschool and I am not sure if he will cope.
• My child is attending a service, but I don’t think he’s getting enough support.

I don’t understand what supports and services we will need for my child.

• Make another appointment with your paediatrician or with the specialist who diagnosed your child to ask more questions.
• Look into the various supports on offer. 
• You might need to look for something specific, such as speech therapy, or you might need a case manager or family services coordinator who can help you to work with a range of different services.

My child has many support needs. I am not even sure where to start in the system.

To find a service, start with Early Childhood Intervention Australia. An intake worker or case manager from your local service will be able to talk you through the requirements and what services may be available to you.

I feel like my other children are missing out.

Find a sibling support group to help them cope and give them a chance to meet other children in similar circumstances. Try Siblings Australia for advice, or read our article on siblings of children with disabilities for other ideas, including spending some one-on-one time with other siblings.

I love my child, but I find caring for her full time is exhausting.

There are various types of services that can give you a break, including respite care and domestic assistance. Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres throughout Australia are a single contact point for detailed information on local respite services – they’ll help you get the respite which best meets your individual needs.

It can take a long time to find respite care you like, and once you find it you may have to go on a waiting list. Even though you may not need it now, make enquiries in case you decide you want respite care in the future.

To find out where the nearest Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre is, contact the toll free number call 1800 059 059.

What services may require planning well in advance?

The following are examples of services that you might want to plan in advance:

• Extra support for childcare and preschool. If your child will attend or is attending a mainstream service, the service may be able to get extra assistance so they can fully include your child. 
• Classroom support. When he starts school, your child might need support in the classroom. If your child is attending an early intervention service or children’s service, talk to school staff the year before he is due to start school. When you’re deciding on a school, talk to staff about your child’s needs and what they may be able to provide.
• Mechanical supports for lifting. If your child has mobility difficulties and you have to lift him manually, you might need mechanical support in the future. Find out what mechanical supports are available, how you may have to adapt your house or car to use them and what financial assistance you can get to help with the costs.
• Communication support. If your child has a communication disorder, there are organisations that will assess his needs and find the best ways to help him communicate. Find out if any such agencies are in your community, what they offer and what you need to do to use their services. 
• Support for you and your family. You and the rest of your family need emotional support too. Some services offer counselling, parent support groups and sibling supports.

Other mums and dads in my parents group don’t seem to be able to relate to my child or to my needs.

Find a parent support group with other parents in similar circumstances to yours. Peer support groups can be particularly useful for parents and carers of children with disabilities or chronic illness. Parent support groups can reduce the feeling of being isolated and alone, helping parents build a group of friends and contacts who understand their situation. Groups might be run by parents, or there might be some sort of professional facilitator involved.

What kind of group is best?
Playgroups are one type of peer support group. Some groups are designed just for children with disabilities. There are three different types of playgroups: 

• Community playgroups are run by parents.
• Supported playgroups are run by a professional. These groups are usually aimed at culturally diverse, indigenous or teenage-parent families, disadvantaged families and families where the parent or child has a disability or mental illness. 
• Intensive support playgroups are for very disadvantaged families. They are usually facilitated by a social worker and serve to provide support and information about a wide range of services available to families. 

Groups run by parents are often less structured, with a focus on providing emotional and social support. Facilitator-run groups often try to deal with specific issues and solve specific problems. There will be more structure, and participation may be more frequent or require more of parents. The key is to look for a group that suits your style, and gives you a sense of belonging and being supported.

Parents of children with disabilities who are not yet attending school and who are receiving a carer’s allowance can participate in parent support groups through MyTime. Playgroup Australia can help you find other local playgroups.

I worry about what will happen when we are no longer able to look after our child at home.

Read about how to plan for the future or consider the possibility of setting up a special disability trust for your child.

We can’t afford to provide all the supports our child needs.

The Australian Government is the main source of financial support for people with disabilities and their carers. Contact Centrelink to make sure you are getting all the payments you are eligible for.

• You may be eligible for other sources of funding through the Commonwealth, States and Territories Disability Agreement. Your state government services should be able to tell you.
• Talk to the service providers you are using as they may have access to funds to support children with needs like your child’s, or they may be able to provide the service at a reduced rate.

My child is starting preschool and I am not sure if he will cope.

Speak to preschool staff well before your child is ready to start. Make sure they understand about your child’s needs and the other services you are using. Ask them what supports they can put in place for your child and what you may need to do to access that support.  

My child is attending a service, but I don’t think he’s getting enough support.

You can always raise concerns with your service provider or manager. They may be able to assist by offering your child a more appropriate service. If the issue is not resolved, ask what the grievance process is for the organisation. You may need advocacy support to help you get your problem resolved. The following organisations can help you with advocating on your child’s behalf:

• Family Advocacy (NSW)
• Association for Children with a Disability (Vic)
• Queensland Advocacy Incorporated
• Advocacy Tasmania Incorporated 
• National Association of Community Legal Centres
• Carers Australia (SA) 
• Carers Australia (ACT) 

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