It’s hard being a new parent. Sure, there is plenty of advice available from friends, relatives, educators, the government, but when it’s just you and your young child at home alone it’s all up to you, and it can be a daunting task at the best of times. Add in the sneaking concern that your child’s behaviour might be a little bit unusual, and you are entering a whole new realm of stress and concern. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Key findings In 2015 showed that 7.4% of children aged 0–14 had some level of disability, and 4.0% had a severe or profound level of disability. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but when you think something is happening to your child those numbers feel incredibly high since they are so threatening to your family’s well-being.
It’s hard to tell sometimes, let’s face it, kids can be weird at the best of times, and may just be acting out, but if you suspect your child is exhibiting any kind of odd or off behaviours consistently it’s vital that you have them checked by health care professionals as soon as possible, like the caring staff at aba early intervention who are trained to recognize potential disabilities and give you and your child the means to cope with them. They will work directly with you and your child, training you on how to positively handle the problem, and teaching your child how to overcome their disability with love and understanding.
Without the support of trained professionals, parents discovering a child’s special needs face a confusing and painful process. Learning difficulties tend to be subtle, multiple, and difficult to accurately recognize, making it very difficult for parents to know whether their child is going through a normal phase of their development, or if there is something to be worried about. Parents must watch carefully as their child plays games and does puzzles to see if there are any signs, and even then it’s hard to be certain. If there is any doubt, then be sure to seek a professional opinion, the earlier, the better.
A first child is the hardest as there is no previous experience to measure things by, parents don’t know what to expect regarding their child’s vocalising, testing out new sounds, and eventually learning to speak. It is also quite difficult to tell the difference between a healthy toddler who happens to be very active, and a child suffering from hyperactivity. How does one ascertain between a child who has a bit of natural clumsiness that will be outgrown and a child with significant motor skills difficulties? What are the indications of children being off course in their ability to listen and follow directions? It may take some time for parents to recognize and articulate concerns.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has plenty of important information and services to help you and your child deal with disability, be sure to consult them!
