All parents with children, including those with additional needs or disabilities, need advice and support from time to time. Some families with children who have additional needs or disabilities need extra support from services and some need specialist services.
You will be offered regular health visitor checks until your baby is two. In Warwickshire, this is called the Healthy Child Programme. It is a universal service offered to all parents. You can ask questions and talk about any concerns you have at these reviews. Where specific help is needed, health visitors can provide more support and expert guidance through their Universal Plus and Universal Partnership Plus services.
If you have concerns about your baby or child’s health and development you can talk to your health visitor or GP, or find support through the following information, advice and services given below.
Children and family centres are a very useful source of support, both for meeting other parents with babies and children of a similar age and for the support and services they offer.
We also have bookable telephone conversations available every Monday where you can discuss your concerns with an experienced IDS early years practitioner.
- Find out more about health visiting checks and support
- Expectant and new baby information and support
- Information for your baby and child’s health and development
- Parenting support
- Find your local children and family centre
Call 01926 413737 any Monday, to speak with an IDS early years practitioner.
Online resources
Common concerns
Advice on a number of issues that might come up for your child from Contact, the national charity for families with disabled children.
Sleep support
Toileting
- Warwickshire toileting advice
- Contact: Potty/toilet training disabled children
- Bladder and bowel UK
- ERIC: the children’s bowel and bladder charity
- Toilet training guide for parents of children with brain conditions
Sensory support
Caudwell Children have produced two sensory packs to provide affordable sensory equipment to support disabled children.
The Get Sensory Pack is available to families with children 0-18 years who have a confirmed disability or chronic illness.
The Autism Sensory Pack is available for families of children 0-18 years with a diagnosis of autism.
Household income must be below £45,000 per year (before tax, excluding benefits) and families are asked to contribute 20% of the cost.