Information and practical assistance
General practitioners (GPs) can provide important support and information about services, in addition to initiating and following up on referrals as clinically indicated (including Social and functional interventions). Liaise as needed with members of the treating team and request copies of current medical reports. Specific information (eg diagnosis, functional or adaptive assessments) may be required to support National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) applications; checking the family has sufficient information to meet eligibility requirements for intervention is worthwhile.
Even before the child has been confirmed to have a developmental delay or disability, the GP can play an important role with respect to intervention. This can include ensuring there are suitable toys and books at home (eg consider access through a lending library) and awareness of parenting programmes, local playgroups and parks. Provide parents with advice about play that is appropriate to the child’s developmental stage. The Raising Children Network has advice on play and learning at different life stages.
For advice on assessment of developmental delay and disability, see here.
Parents of children with disabilities can be vulnerable to baseless claims about cures for the disability. GPs can play an important role in talking through healthcare options with the family, taking into account evidence, financial costs, time, and likely outcome, and building on the information provided in paediatric specialist and assessment reports. Professional counselling may be helpful for parents, in addition to advice from peers (see Consumer and parent support groups) and other healthcare professionals involved in the care of the child.
Practical assistance may include:
- financial assistance (compensation for families for extra costs and loss of income) through Centrelink or NDIS
- special equipment and aids
- community access (eg multipurpose taxi, subsidised transport, parking concessions, car seating, vehicle modifications)
- respite care (eg centre or home-based, community based)
- general carer resources such as those available on the Australian Government Carer Gateway.
Service areas and activities that support child development and learning needs include:
- early intervention services (for children younger than school age, see Early childhood intervention services)
- preschool, playgroups, child care, peer contact, social, recreational and other educational experiences
- special interests, hobbies, sport
- school (see Starting school for children with disabilities)
- vocational training (through mainstream tertiary education centres).
For advice on supporting people with developmental disability during transitions (eg starting or leaving school), see Life-stage transitions.
Siblings and extended family members may also have support needs at this time. See also Support for family and carers.