Learning Difficulties

There are unique circumstances associated with raising a child with a disability that families of typically developing children may not experience. However, families of children with a disability have hopes, dreams, and concerns for their children just like any other family.

Whether the child experiences a physical disability, developmental disability, or a learning disability. Footsteps Community Services are available to support the child’s learning and development. We consider early intervention, support, communication, and collaboration with your child is paramount to success.

Building meaningful relationships is a critical aspect of our work, and is established by spending time to discover the desires and concerns of your child, and family unit. As therapists, our role is to hear and understand your child and their perception of the world, so that we are able to develop realistic goals, and provide strategies to achieving those goals.

Parenting a child

Parenting is a hard job, regardless of disabilities. As a parent or guardian you have to cook, clean, educate, nurture, support, and share your valuable time with all members of your family.

When parents are informed that they have a child with a disability, the future can look very unwelcoming.

Through our role, we encourage children and their families to see beyond the labelled condition, so they are able to focus and build on the strengths and abilities of the child.

A child is still a child, regardless of the label placed upon them. They are not an ‘autistic child’; they are a child that has ‘autism’.

Parents of special needs kids can have insecurities.

“What is the right approach?” “What books should I read?” “Who are the best people to advise and help?” “What are the right decisions?”

It’s helpful to be aware that all parents can feel like this. Try not to focus on the disability; focus on your child as a unique individual just like any other child.

Having worked with many children and families, we can clearly state that we are not the expert of your child, you are. Although we have a comprehensive understanding of autism, odd, adhd, and many more conditions, that is only a small area of your child’s personality and behaviour.

To achieve optimal results, a respectful collaborative relationship must be achieved between the therapist or support provider and the family.

Our therapeutic approach aims to achieve optimal results through the development of a safe, relaxing client focused relationship.

We assist all children to develop the required strategies to function proficiently within our community.