Fellowship by Suzanne Berton ©. flickr.com/photos/suberton/
Parenting a child with a developmental delay or a disability can be challenging for the child, parents and family.
The Stepping Stopes program is one approach to help carers and parents manage a child’s challenging behaviour.
‘Children with a developmental delay or disability are two to three times more likely to develop emotional and behavioural problems,’ according to a press release from Stepping Stones, local co-ordinator, Sheena Worrall.
Recognising this challenge Sheena is putting together a free one day seminar for parents and carers of children with difficult behaviour and is inviting parents to bring their toughest parenting problems for discussion on the day. Stepping Stones Triple P seminars program will be available in a one-day free-of-charge format at Shaping Outcomes, Suffolk Park, on Saturday, June 17.
Recognition that a child is developmental delayed or has a disability is key to assisting them through early intervention and effective programs to assist with development and learning.
Mother-of- two Samantha Warren says she has found the Stepping Stones program helpful in raising her three-year- old son with special needs.
Within one week of starting the Stepping Stone strategies Samantha could see that ‘Broden stopped hitting and I’ve found that things like rewards, things that he really likes to do after something he doesn’t like, also seem to be working.’
Though Broden still throws tantrums they are not happening as often.
Seminar provider Sheena said most parents of children with a disability need help to manage common challenges like tantrums, toilet training, meal times, sleeping problems, and social and emotional difficulties.
To register for any of these seminars please email [email protected] or call (02) 9114 4060.
For more information about Stepping Stones visit here.
Accessing services
If you have concerns at any stage of your child’s development your family doctor paediatrician should be contacted.
For children under five your local early childhood health centres and associated parent support teams run by childhood nurses are a good starting point.
Staff at your pre-school and child care centre will be able to provide you with assistance regarding services available in your area.
If you need someone to talk to then the early childhood intervention line on 1300 656 865 is a good place to start.
For more information on identifying developmental delay and support services available click here.
