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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

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Original poster

So glad....

18 replies

eidsvold · 29/07/2004 03:49

When we decided to move to Aus... I was excited at being back with family and life long friends etc.. convinced it was the best for all of us...

Then as the time got closer really worried about how dd would take it - leaving nursery, the only home she has known,etc. How would dh and I cope - me going from working full time to a SAHM again and so on....would dh get a job, would our savings be enough to get us through....

Well today I am finally convinced we did the best thing for dd and for us....Her therapy and medical care is in place - she finally has access to regular speech therapy, we have found a mother and baby group that is okay.... we have also been referred to a special needs playgroup that she can attend. We celebrate her second birthday on Sunday.... one that at times in her first year of life I thought we may not see.....

For me the pregnancy ( even if I feel like an elephant with over 3 months still to go )and being a SAHM is great - not to say I don't have moments where I think - give me 30 horrible teenagers to one shouty little girl Today I found out I was awarded carer allowance - pretty easy to get but still it all helps.....

Dh has a job which may or may not be temporary but he at least has a foot in the door and is able to still look for his perfect job.

I can't believe how worried and scared I was and how it is has all worked out....I just feel so blessed and lucky.... despite what others think!!

OP posts:

Original poster

eidsvold · 29/07/2004 03:58

just reread this and feel like that was a bit over the top but I am just soooo relieved.... it really was a big step in a lot of ways to move and I am just glad it has all come together....especially as I am the one that convinced dh it would be the best for all of us...

OP posts:

luckymum · 29/07/2004 09:04

Eidsvold.....so pleased thats its working out for you, especially dd's special needs stuff. Not having to fight for it all must really make a difference..........and to top it off I bet the weather's better than it is here - no decent sunshine in weeks, although it does look promising this morning

dinosaur · 29/07/2004 09:22

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Fio2 · 29/07/2004 09:24

oh luckymum but thats because you are in staffs, it ghas been sunshine here for weeks

Really pleased for you eidsvold of course it was an extremely big thing to do, but I am so glad too that it has worked out for you xxxx

Thomcat · 29/07/2004 10:04

Hey I'm queen of over the top!!! It wasn't over the top at all it was a really happy psitive post, nothing wrong with that. I'm so happy you're happy. Glad you've all settled in okay.

Thomcat · 29/07/2004 10:05

Oh sorry - meant to add hope you all have a wonderful time celebrating A's 2nd birthday

mummytosteven · 29/07/2004 10:13

eidsvold - nice to hear from people when things are working out really well and to see happy posts. just curious - are the SN care/facilities better in OZ than the UK?

coppertop · 29/07/2004 10:33

So glad things are working out for you and your family. An early "Happy Birthday" to dd for Sunday.

Piffleoffagus · 29/07/2004 20:58

It's so good when a plan comes together
great to hear Eidsvold
Enjoy the lifestyle, wish I was there...
xx

lavender1 · 29/07/2004 21:04

Oh really pleased it's come together so well for you, well done for taking the bull by the horns and going for it...enjoy down under

BlossomHill · 29/07/2004 21:09

It's really nice to hear that things are working out for you! Hope dd has a lovely birthday on Sunday

Bunglie · 29/07/2004 21:30

I love a happy ending....more please

Original poster

eidsvold · 29/07/2004 23:10

mummyto steven - lucky for us here in queensland the therapy is provided by both the health department and a government department called disability services....... Health dept requires a medical referal, DS will take a referral from a parent. The good thing there then is that if one department is unable to meet your needs you can dip into the other department and have your needs met by them. Seems to be lots of support groups here as in the UK, physio gave us info about a brilliant special needs playgroup that meets once a week at a local special school - children work on paying and developing fine and gross motor skills.

In comparison - dd starts weekly therapy mid August - one on one with the therapist -physio and speech. Very goals orientated - you set therapy goals and work towards them. IT is just half an hour each at their centre - 5 minutes away. For younger children or children for whom it is difficult to leave the house, they will do home therapy sessions. In the UK - dd had one hour a month group situation with a physio and OT, last year the OT broke her arm and so for most of the school year it was just the physio working with a small group of children... dd probably on a good day received about 20 minutes attention, bad day - 5 minutes.... No speech therapy as she did not have feeding problems.

There is also a group here where we live that provide funding and support for children with special needs who are in mainstream nurseries. They provide resources for the nurseries to help with integration as well as visiting the nurseries to give therapy etc. The therapists from Disability services also do that too.

There is no DLA but at 16 people with special needs can apply for a disability pension. However there is a carer payments - one is called a carer allowance - not means or asset tested - $90 a fortnight and then there is another you can also receive which is a carer payment but that is assets and means tested. Your child receives a health care card - concessions at a number of places, free perscriptions, and other medical services that may not be covered by medicare (NHS) The good thing about the carer allowance/payment is that a number of conditions are automatically recognised which means rather than writing huge essays about what you ahve to do for your child, you simply get the GP to tick the relevant box and say when the condiditon began and off the form goes. For us Down's syndrome in children under 6 is automatically recognised... no pages and pages of info to justify why you should be paid

Sorry to ramble on - just what I have noted so far.

OP posts:

Davros · 29/07/2004 23:14

You don't have to fill in lots of forms to get Carer's Allowance here, I did it in 5 mins on the internet. Now DLA.... that's another matter!

mummytosteven · 29/07/2004 23:28

thanks eidsvold. so all in all considerably better and more user friendly system than in the UK - as well as the better weather!

Original poster

eidsvold · 30/07/2004 06:18

davros isn't carer's allowance in the UK means tested?!?!? in aus it isn't but the other one called carer payment is.....

OP posts:

geekgrrl · 30/07/2004 08:20

carer's allowance is income tested, i.e. it doesn't matter how much money you have or how much your dp earns, as long as you personally don't have an income of over £72 per week and care for someone who receives the middle or higher rate of DLA you are eligible.

Really glad to hear how well things are going for you, eidsvold! I hope your dd has a super birthday!!!

Fio2 · 30/07/2004 08:22

it is 79pound a week tops the carer can earn now, i had a letter last week

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