This move is daunting for everyone, but more so if you have a child who needs special care or assistance.

As it is often the case of each child needing specific help, this page will be running slightly different to the other pages on the site, in the sense that there will more of a focus of directing you to pages where the information is available for you to look at what applies to your child, rather than writing up pages and pages of information for you to read through on this site.

We would also like to extend an open invitation to parents who have made the move to do a blog on their experiences and what helped and worked for them. You can send it to admin@sa2eire.com and are welcome to include photos, or not. It will be linked to this page, so other parents who may find themselves at that first hurdle can find some inspiration by looking at you trail blazers!

These are services that are provided for children up to the age of 18 years. If for instance your child has a speech delay, your local speech and language therapist, who is available at your local health center, would be able to provide the service that you need.

There are however occasions where you would need more help. This is where you may need a children’s disability team. This team includes health and social care professionals, who each are experienced in a specific area of child development.

They will assess your child, and how often and who sees your child will be discussed with you in accordance to the individual needs of your child.

Members of the children’s disability team will work closely with your child and your family and together they will provide a wide range of services. Together you will work on agreed goals.

As time goes by, they will assess the needs of your child and your family and changes will be made in the services and supports for your child accordingly.

Some examples of services that the children’s disability team may offer:

• Groups for children such as play for babies and toddlers, making friends, getting ready for school, gym groups, learning to cycle
• Finding the equipment that some children need to help them take part in their school and community
• Advice on feeding
• Courses and talks for families on topics like how to support language development or ways you can manage your child’s behaviour
• Parent and carer support groups
• Groups for teenagers
• Speech and language therapy – help with communication or eating and swallowing, or both
• Physiotherapy – help to improve movement and function in the body caused by problems with muscles, bones or nervous system
• Psychology – help to assess emotional and behavioural difficulties and coping with the impact of living with a disability
• Occupational therapy – help with skills for the home, at school and in the community including dressing, feeding, toileting, handwriting and hobbies
• Paediatrics – provides diagnosis, medical expertise, regular check-ups and liaison with other health and care professionals and services
• Dietetics – help with nutrition and diet, as well as weight issues
• Social work – support for parents who are caring for a child with a disability by providing time to talk, offering practical help, or connecting parents

Your child may not need all of these supports and services.

Talk to your GP or public health nurse. They can refer you for the service your child needs.