AtHomeWithLorraineKelly2016 - 211

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'WE ADVISE THAT PARENTS CAN BE
PART OF THE SOLUTION, AS THEY
REALLY KNOW THEIR OWN CHILD.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO ASK FOR HELP'

family, who don't understand why their child is behaving
in a certain way in public and think they are just being
naughty,' says Carol. 'Informing your extended family,
your friends and your child's school about why your child
sometimes feels overwhelmed in noisy public environments
can help to lessen the stigma.'
Children with other developmental disorders including
Attention Deﬁcit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD),
dyslexia and dyspraxia, may also be entitled to extra
support. The best way to access this is via a Special
Educational Needs Disabilities Coordinator at your
child's nursery or school, or through your local council.
For children with more complex and challenging needs,
it may be necessary to draw up a thorough Education,
Health and Care (EHC) plan, which these professionals
and experts can help with.

says warning signs of depression to look out for include
changes in behaviour, being less talkative and more
irritable, looking tired, not seeing friends and, in younger
children, regularly complaining of tummy ache or
headaches, and not wanting to go to school.
'Let your child know you are there for them if they
want to talk,' says Dr Dubicka. 'Getting children to open
up about their feelings isn't always easy; spending time
doing things with them is really important. Broaching the
CHILDREN WITH LEARNING
subject, say on a car journey or during an activity, may
DISABILITIES
make it easier,' she says.
'When children are diagnosed with a learning disability
'As well as talking, you can help them with
- a reduced intellectual ability and diﬃculty with everyday
getting a proper  sleep habit going again, taking
activities that can be caused by conditions such as Down's
exercise and doing activities together, and
syndrome - many parents experience an emotion called
THE MAJORITY OF
eating better,' says Dr Dubicka. 'Encourage
the theory of chronic sorrow,' says James Robinson, policy
TEENAGERS WHO
them to see their friends and get them to stop
and strategic lead for children and young people with
SELF-HARM WILL
late night social media and screen use,' she says.
the charity Mencap (www.mencap.org.uk). 'This is where
RECOVER WITH THE
'However, if their problems persist, or
parents compare their child to their peers at key stages
RIGHT TREATMENT.
you're really worried, it's important to get help
and realise their life is going to be very diﬀerent.
via your GP, who can refer you to the local
'We ﬁnd parents are often given lots of negative
Childhood and Adolescent Mental Health Service
information about what their child can't do and problems
(CAMS); some schools may also have access to mental
they will have, and not enough emphasis is put on the
health workers,' says Dr Dubicka.
positive things they could be capable of,' he says.
'Depression is very treatable, particularly if caught
'We stress early identiﬁcation of their needs is important,
early, and two thirds of adolescents who receive treatment
because giving a child interventions right from the start
for their depression will  recover within six months,' she
can make a real diﬀerence.
continues. 'And research on self-harming shows the
'For instance, initial support for children with Down's
majority of teenagers who self-harm will recover, if given
syndrome before the age of three can help with challenging
the right treatment.'
behaviour and psychiatric problems, which might
The options available include talking therapies such
otherwise persist throughout their lifetime and could
as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). However, if your
cause further problems in the long-term.'
teenager is very depressed and these options fail, then
antidepressants can also be prescribed and be very eﬀective.
'Many of the parents who ring Young Minds (www.
youngminds.org.uk) are very distressed about their child's
mental health; they feel it's their fault and they are being
blamed,' says Jo Hardy, who is the manager of the charity's
helpline, which receives 1,000 calls a  month from parents.
care at home, some aids and
Your child can claim Disability
Jo continues: 'Generally, not enough is being done
adaptations, and ﬁnancial help
Living Allowance (DLA) if he
quickly enough, but we advise parents they can be part
towards travel for hospital visits.
or she is under 16, disabled and
of the solution as they really know their own child. It's
A social worker will assess
needs extra help, or has difﬁculty
important to keep all the channels of communication
your family's needs and, if you're
walking or getting around. DLA
open and ask for help'.

Don't despair

GETTING FINANCIAL HELP
for a child with disability

DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS

Among the aﬄictions children may develop is autism
spectrum disorder (ASD), which alters social interaction
with others, communication, interests and behaviour,
and aﬀects one in 100 children in the UK.
Carol Povey, from the National Autistic Society
(www.autism.org.uk), says it's vital parents get the right
information and support around the time of the diagnosis.
'Many families tend to feel very isolated but ﬁnd the most
helpful thing they can do is speak to other families with
a child with the same condition - which is where this
charity can help them.
'Often, what they ﬁnd most diﬃcult to cope with is the
judgemental attitudes of the general public or extended

is not means tested and you can
claim if you are in or out of work.
If your child is aged over 16, they
may be eligible for a Personal
Independence Payment (www.
gov.uk/pip/overview) instead.
For information about DLA, call
0345 712 3456 or visit www.gov.
uk/disability-living-allowancechildren/overview for details.
Direct payments: local councils
can also provide short break
schemes, holiday play schemes,

eligible for ﬁnancial help to cover
these costs, you'll have the option
of receiving direct payments.

Check your entitlement to
tax credits, as the amount you
receive may be higher if your
child is eligible for DLA or is
registered blind.
You may also be entitled to
Carer's Allowance. Visit www.
disabilityrightsuk.org/carersallowance-ca to ﬁnd out more.

www.athomemagazine.co.uk AUGUST 2016 | 211
AtHomeWithLorraineKelly2016

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