Life Stages

This article was written by the two lead Facilitators of Community Resource Unit's (CRU) Inclusive Education who work with families of children with disability. They have both navigated the school system for an inclusive education for their own children with disability. They work to support parents to be clear, confident and connected in their advocacy efforts for inclusive education. For families seeking inclusive education for their child with disability, traditional and outdated ways of thinking by others can create real and ongoing barriers. Challenging these attitudes and building understanding of inclusion often requires parents and carers to step into the role of advocate. While standing up for our children is something most parents would willingly do, advocacy is often thrust upon us without preparation, training or choice. In this article, we will share what genuine inclusive education is, and some advocacy learnings from families who have navigated inclusion for their ch

One of the biggest transitions your child will experience is the transition to life after school. It can be a challenging time for any young adult and their family, but it can feel even more overwhelming if your child is a person with disability who needs ongoing support. As a parent or carer, you play an extremely important role in guiding and supporting your person through this period. Planning ahead and focusing on their unique strengths and needs can help create a smoother journey toward independence and a fulfilling life after school. Here are some practical tips to help you and your child. Tip 1: Begin planning early It is never too early to start thinking about your child's life after school – you could start as soon as year seven. Having the conversation when they're young will give you plenty of time to explore options, set goals and talk about your child's specific needs. It also allows you time to involve the right people. This will likely include: Your child Their Student S

Employment gives you more than just an income. It helps to build independence, confidence and connections. For young adults with disability, finding and maintaining work may feel like a challenge, but the right support worker can also help to make employment goals a reality. The right support worker can provide guidance tailored to your young person's strengths, helping them navigate the path from job search to the workplace environment. Understanding your young person's employment goals A great support worker will start by listening to build a genuine connection and understand your young person's interests, strengths and challenges. This will help them to discover what employment success really means to your young person. This process will identify what your young person might enjoy, skills they want to develop, and the work environment that suits them best. Support workers can help to explore different employment options, whether that's supported employment, volunteering opportuniti

As your child grows into their teenage years and becomes a young adult, developing practical life skills becomes essential for their independence. The journey will look different for every young person with disability. Small steps that are practised regularly can lead to meaningful progress that builds their confidence and opens up new opportunities. Learning life skills empowers young people to take part more actively in community life and create the future they want. Why life skills are important for your child's independence Learning practical skills may help young people with disability move into adulthood with more confidence. Each new skill, whether it's catching a bus by themselves or preparing a meal, helps to build their self-esteem and prove what's really possible. It can help to build greater independence and confidence when young people learn to manage more aspects of daily living by themselves. The key is taking it one step at a time, focusing on their strengths and capab

Starting high school is a significant milestone for every child and their family. For children with disability, thoughtful planning during Year 6 can help you make this transition smoother and set your child up for success in the next phase of their school career. This change can understandably feel daunting, but breaking the process into manageable steps will help you and your child approach high school with confidence. Here's how to prepare for this important transition. Creating a transition plan for your child You can start developing a transition plan during Year 6 by working with your child's primary school staff and teachers. The transition plan document(s) will be an important tool for sharing information about your child's needs, strengths and learning style with their new high school teachers. The Raising Children Network recommends that your transition plan should include the latest health reports, school reports, and any strategies that work well for your child. Include

We all need people around us. Friends, family and connections who support us and enrich our lives. For people with disability, building these networks is so important and can turn isolation into belonging and promote development of independence. Circles of support bring together people who care, creating a committed group focused on helping a person with disability achieve their goals, and live the life they want. What exactly is a circle of support? A circle of support is a voluntary group of unpaid people who come together around a person with disability. This places the person with disability at the centre of the circle, with their dreams, needs and preferences guiding everything the circle does. Circles of support are different to formal support services as they focus on building meaningful relationships and community connections rather than delivering specific care tasks. Members might include family, friends, neighbours, colleagues or community members who care about the person'

Receiving a disability diagnosis for your child can be overwhelming and it's completely natural to feel a mix of emotions. It's important to remember that you're not alone in this journey and there are many avenues of support available to help you navigate this time. This moment also marks the beginning of getting the vital support that can make a real difference to your child's development and your journey ahead. Early intervention during childhood helps to create a strong foundation for growth and learning. With the right support in place, children can develop the skills and confidence that will serve them throughout their lives. Here's what you need to know as you take these first steps. Why early intervention is so important Early intervention refers to the support and services designed for young children with developmental challenges or disabilities. From birth to age 6 is a critical window when children's brains are developing rapidly and they're most receptive to learning new