It takes a village to raise a child – it’s something many have heard before. However, many parents find themselves having a difficult time building their village. This is even more true for parents raising a child with diverse needs.
Many factors can contribute to this feeling of isolation. These include different perspectives on parenting, cultural understanding of disability, or having made a choice like moving away from your support system for a job opportunity. It can even be that you’re trying to make friends with the parents of typical children who just can’t relate to your experience.
Whatever the reason for feeling isolated, Calgary has been working hard to foster a more diverse, accepting and tolerant community. The programming available to parents was developed to meet the needs of the community, including children with developmental delays, diagnosed disabilities, or other diverse needs, and that child’s family.
When building a community, the term ‘specialist’ is one you’re likely to hear. The term can mean many things but the specialists who work with children with diverse needs will often include:
A great place to start is a conversation with your family doctor about your child’s development. A family doctor can refer to a pediatrician (a doctor who specializes in child development) who is able to assess and diagnose or refer out for a developmental assessment. If you do not currently have a family doctor, Primary Care Network (albertapcns.ca) can help you find one.
The Early Childhood Intervention Programs (ECIP) through Alberta Health Services (AHS), focuses on providing information, education and support to families with infants and young children who have developmental delays or disabilities. ECIP providers and families work together to improve a child’s ability to take part in everyday activities and routines.
Another option provided by AHS is Child Developmental Services (CDS), which provides comprehensive evaluations for children that present with complex developmental, behavioral and learning challenges. These evaluations or assessments are completed by a team of specialists who provide diagnoses, recommendations and information. After the evaluation, CDS connects families with community resources and educational support to assist the child’s unique needs.
Children in Alberta with a medical diagnosis can access government funding through Family Supports for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) to support their growth. Parents have the flexibility to choose their own service provider who will provide services in their child’s home or community by creating goals and strategies to achieve those goals, individualized to each child and their family. If your child is school-aged, they may qualify for specialized educational support, including Individualized Program Plans (IPPs). This plan is tailored to each child’s unique needs and ensures appropriate accommodations, support and interventions for that child to thrive academically and socially.
The most important people in the journeys of children with diverse needs are their family members. Many agencies in Calgary offer parent support groups and training sessions, such as Triple P Positive Parenting Program to empower caregivers with knowledge, strategies and resources to effectively support their children's growth and development.
A child with diverse needs also deserves just as many opportunities to play as their peers. Inclusive recreational programs allow children to participate in a wide range of activities alongside their typically developing peers, fostering friendships and promoting overall well-being. A good place to start when looking for diverse recreational programs is childrenslink.ca.
Calgarians are committed to providing comprehensive and specialized support for children with diverse needs and their families. Pacekids Programs shares that commitment to offering early intervention, multidisciplinary collaborations, evidence-based therapies and inclusivity. Pacekids has a range of services in the home, in the community and in two educational facilities to support children with diverse needs and their families. Check out pacekids.ca to learn more.
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