Step 6: Where do we Go from Here?

At this stage, you are likely to have a lot of questions:  about your child’s condition, where to go for help and how to find professionals who will help your child develop and grow.

Please know that you are not alone on your journey. Many other parents and families have gone down similar roads and are experienced travelers. They are available through websites, connections with Infant Development Programs and the Family Support Institute to be a guide by your side over the course of your journey with your child.

The website that is associated with this course has many links to resources created by other parents and professionals that are there to help.

There are a lot of support groups for specific conditions. There are also groups for parents of children with special needs in general. This  can help make this part of your journey easier to take.

The “general resources” section of our website includes a list of websites that can connect you with parents who have taken the journey that you are in the process of taking.

You can also visit the “Specific Disorders and Conditions” section of the our website, where you can find very specific information about your child’s condition.

Figure 1. A child playing

THE INFANT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM  (IDP):

If your child is under three years old, your first experience with early intervention is usually through the Infant Development Program.

If you are Aboriginal you might want to check out the Aboriginal Infant Development Program.

If you get connected to the Infant Development Program or Aboriginal Infant Development Program, you will likely get assigned a consultant who will:

• Help answer any questions you may have;
• Visit your family every three to four weeks (on average) to monitor your child’s development;
• Act as a connection between you and other professionals who will be working with your child (e.g. speech therapist, occupational therapist, physio therapist);
• Help preschool or day care personnel accommodate your child into their classrooms
• Lend you a variety of resources from their resource centers.

Figure 2. A boy

THE SUPPORTED CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM  (SCD):

If your child is over three and attends a day care center or preschool, your first contact with the field of special education could be the Supported Child Development Program, where you are likely to be assigned a consultant.

If you are Aboriginal, you might want to check out the Aboriginal Infant Development Program.

This consultant will:

• Help answer any questions you may have;
• Could visit your family every six to eight weeks (on average) to monitor your child’s development;
• Act as a connection between you and other professionals who will be working with your child (e.g. speech therapist, occupational therapist, physio therapist);
• Help preschool and school staff help your child in their classrooms;
• Lend you a variety of resources from their resource centers.

Figure 3. A toy

The process of finding the right professional to work with your child can be quite difficult and long. You will sometimes be able to choose those professionals (if your child has autism and/or if you are hiring them privately). Often, you will be assigned a professional from the agency that provides these services.

Your IDP and/or SCD consultants can be very helpful at this time. Their knowledge and connections in the field will allow you to make the right choice, for you, your family and especially your child, when it comes to deciding who will be working with your child.

When working with professionals, it is very important that you speak your mind about your concerns and what you want for your child. Research indicates that child outcomes improve greatly when parents and professionals work together, as equals, to help the child reach his or her full potential.

It might also be helpful for you to visit the “Professionals and Professional Associations” section of the website. There you can find information about how professionals operate in BC, and how they can help you and your child.

Many parents who are at this stage have said  they did not know where to go for help, or even if they should go for help. Many felt guilty every time they took a little bit of time off to take care of themselves or their other children.

Here is what one parent had to say, about this:

Debbie’s lesson to parents