Help for child with disability: support for the family

This article provides an overview of the available assistance for families with a child with a disability, including the Youth Act, school support, respite care, aids, and support for siblings.

Caring for a child with a disability can be a significant challenge for parents and families. It is important to know what help and support are available. This article discusses various forms of support, such as the Youth Act, school, respite care, and the impact on siblings.

What does the Youth Act entail for help for your child?

If you care for a child with a disability, you are entitled to assistance through the Youth Act. This law regulates support for children up to 18 years old with a disability, illness, or mental health issues. The municipality is responsible for this youth care. This can include:

• Guidance and treatment
• Personal care
• Transportation to day activities
• Respite care, so your child can temporarily stay elsewhere

Respite care is a good option if you, as a parent, want to take a breather. It is important to discuss with the municipality what your child and family need. During the conversation, you can also express your own boundaries.

You can apply for youth care through the municipality, often via a neighborhood team or youth team. Additionally, you are entitled to free independent client support. This support can help you apply for assistance and can accompany you in conversations.

If you find that the care is becoming too burdensome, it is good to discuss this. What would help you the most right now?

What support is available for school-aged children with disabilities?

For school-aged children with disabilities, various support options are available. Assistance for a child with a disability usually falls under the Youth Act. This means that your municipality is responsible for arranging this youth care.

Types of support:

• Guidance: Help with daily activities and development.
• Personal care: Support with hygiene and care.
• Respite care: Temporary care for your child, allowing you as a parent to take a break.
• Transportation to day activities: Help with transportation to activities or care.

It is important to discuss with the municipality what your family needs. You can apply for youth care through a neighborhood team or youth team. In these discussions, it is also possible to bring independent client support along. This can help clarify your wishes and boundaries.

Do you have specific questions about the support you are looking for?

What is respite care and how can it help our family?

Respite care is an important form of support for families with a care-intensive child. It provides parents the opportunity to take a break while professional care for their child is arranged. This can be done, for example, through respite care, where your child temporarily stays elsewhere. This gives parents the space to relax or fulfill other obligations.

For families with a child with a disability, this assistance often falls under the Youth Act. This means you are entitled to guidance, help with personal care, and other forms of support. It is good to know that you are not alone in this process. Independent client support can help you apply for this assistance and can even accompany you to meetings with the municipality.

Additionally, it is important to look at the specific care needs of your child. This can range from medical care to psychosocial support. The Network for Integrated Child Care can help you find the right care and support in your region. Discuss with the treatment team what respite care is available for you and your family.

• Ask a child nurse to clearly write down what care is needed.
• Create an emergency plan for times when you are sick or unexpectedly unavailable.
• Seek support through offices such as {{loket:clientondersteuning}} and {{loket:integrale-kindzorg}}.

This way, respite care can truly help alleviate the pressure on the family. What would help you the most in this situation?

How can we apply for aids for our child?

If you care for a child with a disability, there are various ways to apply for help for your child with a disability. Most assistance for children up to 18 years falls under the Youth Act. This can include guidance, personal care, or respite care. You apply for this youth care through the municipality, often at a neighborhood team or youth team. During the conversation with them, you discuss what your child and family need. Don’t forget that as a caregiver, you can also express your own boundaries.

Additionally, you may be entitled to double child benefit if your child requires a lot of extra care. This applies to children aged 3 and older who live at home. The Care Assessment Center (CIZ) assesses whether your child needs intensive care. In some cases, you will automatically receive the double child benefit, but otherwise, you must apply for it yourself at the Social Insurance Bank (SVB).

• Apply for youth care through the municipality.
• Bring independent client support to meetings.
• Apply for double child benefit at the SVB if your child needs intensive care.

What are your biggest concerns right now regarding the care for your child?

What is the role of siblings in the family?

Siblings of children with disabilities, also known as "brussen," play an important role in the family. They are often the first support for their brother or sister and can also be caregivers. This can give them a lot of worries and responsibilities. It is normal for brussen to sometimes feel overlooked or to worry about their parents. They may also experience feelings of anger or jealousy, which does not diminish their love for their brother or sister.

It is important that brussen also receive attention and support. Talking with peers who are going through the same experience can help. There are special brussen groups and courses where they can share experiences. Additionally, they can turn to loket:mantelzorg for questions and help in the area.

It is good to realize that help for a child with a disability is not only for the parents but also for the siblings. What would help you in this situation?

How can we alleviate the burden for parents?

Parents of a child with a disability often experience extra burdens. Fortunately, help for children with disabilities is available, which can alleviate the care.

Help under the Youth Act For children up to 18 years, much assistance falls under the Youth Act. This can include guidance, help with personal care, or respite care. This type of support helps families take a breather. Discuss with your municipality what is best for your situation.

Independent client support If you need help with applications or conversations, independent client support can be a solution. They can guide you and help you find the right assistance.

Extra support for complex care In cases of severe or multiple disabilities, the Companion from MantelzorgNL can provide extra support. This is especially useful when there are many parties involved. Ask client support what options are available for you.

Peer contact For parents of children with autism, there is the national autism association. Here you can find information, advice, and opportunities for peer contact. This can help exchange experiences and find support.

What would help your family the most?