Many people have preconceived ideas about what disability means and looks like. In fact “children with disabilities” is a diverse group of children with a wide range of needs.
As many of these ideas are often outdated, the aim of this post is to dispel the most common myths.
Myth #1: All disabilities can be seen
Whilst is it common to recognise that a child has a disability if they have a wheelchair, not all disabilities can be seen. They effect every child differently. When a disability cannot be seen it does not mean that it cannot be managed. Rather that more creative methods may be needed to help with managing such disabilities.
Birmingham Children’s Trust provides its carers with information about how to best meet the child’s care needs. Often there will be other professionals involved with the child that can also help to guide you along the way.
Myth #2: Children with disabilities can never reach their full potential
When thinking of a child with disabilities, many people believe that because they are disabled, they are not able. In fact, with the right support, they can be enabled to achieve well through the correct care and support.
When support is wrapped around the child from their carers, education and health, they are provided with the best opportunities to succeed. They can even achieve more than professionals and carers expected.
Whilst there are generic milestones that an able-bodied child is expected to achieve, these can differ for a child with disabilities. They should be considered as milestones for the individual child not compared with the generic milestones. Every step towards progress should be celebrated and can offer a great sense of fulfilment for the child and their carers.
Myth #3: There are not many children with disabilities in Birmingham that need your help
Often children with disabilities are seen less frequently in society by comparison to an able-bodied and minded child. This is not because these children do not exist, in fact they are often in places like education where they will have transport to and from their address.
Following their day-to-day attendance to education, many children with disabilities stay within the home or attend targeted groups for children with disabilities. They visit the local community less than others. This is where the support from a foster carer can help increase the child’s access to their local community and support to increase their socialisation and inclusion.
Whilst it may not be suited to every child to visit the local shopping centre or community gatherings, there are details of non-restrictive groups or targeted groups which can be shared with carers to consider for the child. Supporting a child to access the community can help with building on their socialisation, inclusion and independence skills which is rewarding for the child and their carers in the long-term.
Enquire
We are actively recruiting foster carers for children with disabilities. If you are interested in finding out more about this rewarding role we would love to hear from you!
Our foster carers receive a competitive financial package as well as ongoing specialist training and support.
Call our dedicated recruitment team today on 0121 303 7575 or enquire online!
