Embracing the F-Words in Paediatric Disability: A Guide for Parents
As parents, we all want the best for our children. We dream of watching them grow, thrive, and reach their full potential. But what happens when our child faces the challenges of a disability? How can we navigate this journey with strength, hope, and resilience?
The F-words for child development provide a framework for parents and service providers to be able to explore and focus on what children can do, their strengths, and what is important to them. In this blog post, we're going to explore the F-words in paediatric disability - Function, Family, Friends, Fun, Fitness, and Future - and discover how embracing these concepts can empower both our children and ourselves!
Function: Focusing on what your child CAN do
Function is the ability to do an activity, regardless of how your child may do it. Function allows us to focus on what your child can do, not what they can’t do. We can encourage children to do activities without worrying about how they do it, or the outcome. Every opportunity to participate, no matter how small, is a victory worth celebrating. Focusing on function enables us to embrace your child’s strengths and help them to thrive and succeed in their own way.
Family: Families are the experts on their children; we support families, not just children
Your child exists within the core social environment of your family, and your family plays the biggest role in supporting your child. When we support children, we must take into consideration the needs of the whole family and support the whole family. You can expect services to ask about your families wellbeing, and include and support your whole family, not just your child. As a family, you can also build your network of supports by reaching out to other parents who are on a similar journey, join support groups, and connect with organizations that specialize in paediatric disabilities.
Friends: Building supportive friendships
Every child deserves the opportunity to play, socialize, and have fun. Encourage friendships and create inclusive environments where your child feels accepted and valued for who they are. Whether it's a playdate at the park or a birthday party with classmates, fostering meaningful connections with peers is essential for your child's social and emotional development, and helps your child to develop a sense of self.
Fitness: Prioritizing Health and Well-being
Physical activity and fitness is vital for all children, including those with disabilities. Explore adaptive sports and activities that cater to your child's abilities and interests. Whether it's swimming, yoga, or wheelchair basketball, finding activities that promote fitness and enjoyment can boost your child's confidence and overall well-being.
Fun: Having fun is an essential part of childhood
It is an important part of childhood that children have fun, just for the sake of having fun and enjoying an activity. Not every activity your child does needs to be focused on achieving a goal or an outcome. Encourage your child to find activities they enjoy and help them to participate in these for the pure purpose of having fun.
Future: Nurturing Dreams and Aspirations
As parents, we are our children's biggest advocates and cheerleaders. Encourage your child to dream big and pursue their passions, whatever they may be. With the right support and guidance, there are always ways we can help them to work towards their dreams and expectations.
Exploring the F-words with your child can help you to take a broader perspective on your child’s needs, and help you to embrace their strengths and abilities and the opportunities available to them to thrive and live a great life. If you want some support with exploring your child’s F-words and understanding how to use them to guide your child’s therapy and daily activities, please don’t hesitate to speak with one of our team.