Children and young people with disability are at risk from choking. Certain types of medication pose more of a risk that a child or young person may choke when taking them.

The ‘F-words of childhood disability’ developed in 2011 by Dr Rosenbaum and Dr Gorter (researchers from CanChild) gives us 6 key areas of childhood development to help families and therapists understand how to set goals for their children that are meaningful and relate to activity and participation.

Xavier’s nursing team provide a range of health services to support children and young people living with disabilities. Often children and young people with complex disability can experience issues with skin integrity which can cause the rapid development of pressure sores, injuries, or ulcers.

General good hygiene not only helps us to stay healthy but it also helps us to feel good too as it boosts self-esteem and confidence. This is true for all, including children and young people with disability.

Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a speech disorder that affects the brain pathways involved in planning the sequence of movements needed for speech. Speech Pathologists support children with CAS to improve their communication. 

Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder that makes it difficult to use or control the muscles of the mouth, tongue, palate and vocal chords for speech. It is caused by brain or nerve damage to the speech muscles.

In November 2021, the NDIS implemented some changes for people with a disability who have Support Workers assisting them at mealtimes. The changes are to ensure that NDIS providers and workers are safely delivering quality mealtime supports and services to maintain the health and safety of the people they support.

For children and young people with complex disability, their formal therapy sessions are invaluable to support them to meet their goals. However, therapy at home can provide further, vital support. Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a therapist to pull this off and it doesn’t need to feel like “therapy” for your child or for your family.