Parenting a child with disability will bring immense joy to your family. Like any other child, your child will bring love and happiness into your life. However, there may also be difficulties, many of which stem from uncertainty about how your child will navigate a world that is often inaccessible and not inclusive.
Navigating a diagnosis, therapies, funding, and supports can feel overwhelming. Data from Growing Up in Australia: The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) showed a higher prevalence of mental health problems for parents of children with disabilities compared to parents of children without disabilities, across all child ages (Chen et al., 2023).
It’s natural to have a range of emotions when your child is diagnosed with a disability. Give yourself space to feel and process these emotions — whether it’s disbelief, confusion, sadness, guilt, or even relief. It’s ok to feel mixed emotions, these feelings are part of adjusting. While you might reflect on the past or worry about the future, it’s also helpful to remember that your child’s journey will be full of joy, love, and possibilities.
Some of the expectant and new parents who access support from Gidget Foundation Australia are in the early stages of this journey and find it helpful to work through their thoughts and feelings. Some parents feel a sense of shame around their feelings, or don’t want to feel like they are burdening others, or that others find it hard to relate to what they are going through. Some parents are well supported by family and friends; however, others may not have close networks available to them, or they may face judgement or negative interpretations of the child’s disability, which can add to feelings of isolation. There are often multiple professionals involved focussing on the wellbeing of your child, and it can be helpful to also have a space for you as the parent to feel held, heard, safe and supported.
Many medical professionals may use medicalised or deficit-based language when talking about your child, which can feel upsetting or frustrating. It’s important to seek out books, articles, and voices from disability advocates that highlight how people with disabilities can and do lead fulfilling, successful, and joyful lives.
The social model of disability helps us understand that children with disabilities are not "broken" or "less than." Instead, it reveals how barriers in the world — such as inaccessible spaces, lack of support, or limited understanding — create challenges for them. Your child is whole, capable, and full of potential.
By addressing these barriers, we can help children thrive and fully participate in life. This model encourages us to celebrate their strengths, individuality, and uniqueness while working together to create a more inclusive world where they can succeed just as they are.
Local playgroups, children’s activities and childcare are great places to connect with people at a similar stage of life. A supported playgroup or early intervention program may be a place to connect with people who are more familiar with your day-to-day experiences. In Australia, the rights of people with disability are protected under the Australian Disability Discrimination Act 1992. Children with disability have the same rights to access activities and childcare as other children. If your child attends childcare, speak to the Centre Director to see what inclusion support might be available.
Some children with disability will be eligible for Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Public and private therapy options vary according to where you live – a local GP or paediatrician is best placed to advise you regarding what services are available near you.
Reference:
Chen,C., Bailey, C., Baikie, G., Dalziel, K., & Hua, X. (2023). Parents of children with disability: Mental health outcomes and utilization of mental health services. Disability and Health Journal, 16(4), Article 101506.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2023.101506
Additional services that can support parents include:
- Raising Children Network – articles and videos for parents and carers of children with disability
- Carer Gateway – emotional and practical services and support for carers. Ph: 1800 422 737
- Parentline – telephone counselling for parents and carers of children aged 0-18 (please check for the phone number in your State or Territory)
- Siblings Australia – resources for supporting siblings of people with disability
