Caring for a disabled child can be physically and mentally exhausting and parents may need additional support and advice.
Choosing a school
Choosing a school for your child can be a daunting experience and you may struggle to decide whether to choose a mainstream or specialist school. There is a lot of advice available on the Government’s DirectGov website and you will be able to discuss your options with local healthcare professionals and education experts; information provided by the Government’s Sure Start programme may also provide additional information.
Counselling and support
If you are struggling to come to terms with having a disabled child, it may be beneficial to undertake a course of counselling or therapy; details of services available in your local area can be obtained from your local GP.
There are many local support groups where parents in a similar situation can meet, chat and discuss their feelings; details of these groups can be found via your GP or using online search engines, local telephone directories or the Government’s DirectGov website.
There are also several disability-specific groups, including those for blind or visually impaired people and those with physical disabilities for example, which meet to share opinions and offer support to disabled people, their parents, carers and relatives; these are often run by charitable organisations.
Fundraising
Many local charities hold special fundraising days which may benefit parents and carers; these events are a great way to meet other people who are in a similar situation and will contribute to improving your own life and the life of your disabled loved one. Some charities raise money for special days out, specialised equipment and short holidays, for example. Some local authorities also offer the opportunity for parents and carers to take a short break, which is funded by the Government; details of these schemes can be found on the DirectGov website.