Families have a powerful motivation to support their children and will advocate for the rights of their child. The families of children with additional needs are particularly motivated advocates.
NT COGSO’s experience has identified the barriers currently faced by NT families and provides parents and carers with support to ensure all children with additional needs can receive a high quality education through the additional support of these networks.
"It took me a long time to get used to the idea that it’s ok to ask for help." - Parent
Additional Needs
Hearing Loss
In Australia, one out of every 1,000 children is diagnosed at birth with a hearing loss. By the time they reach school age, two in every 1,000 children are diagnosed as having a hearing loss. When children have a hearing loss, they cannot hear certain sounds or conversations. This depends on whether their hearing loss is mild, moderate, severe or profound.
Your child may be born deaf, or become deaf when they’re older.
Support
Aussie Deaf Kids: Information and advocacy for parents raising a child with hearing loss
Hearing Australia: Funded by the government to provide hearing services to young people up to 26 years old
Deaf Children Australia: Support for children and their families to make informed decisions including a parent to parent support program
Raising Children Network: Provides information and advice for parents in Australia
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder in Australia, affecting one in every 20 children. It is characterised by persistent patterns of inattentive, impulsive, and sometimes hyperactive behaviour, and is frequently accompanied by emotional regulation challenges.
Support
ADHD Australia
Dyslexia
Parents set out on a journey with the best intentions to assist their child. Most parents state that they have been bombarded with a lot of mixed information on the internet about what dyslexia is and is not and the types of assessments and treatments that are available. This is the main questions that the ADA advises parents on; is where to start and what to avoid.
Support
Dyslexia Association
Intellectual Disability
Some young people live with an intellectual disability which may affect their ability to learn new things, understand concepts, solve problems, concentrate and remember. If your child has an intellectual disability, they can learn, achieve and join in at kindergarten and school.
Early intervention can help children with intellectual disability reach their potential.
Support
Raising Children Network
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is the term used to describe the lifelong physical and/or neurodevelopmental impairments that can result from fetal alcohol exposure. FASD is a condition that is an outcome of parents either not being aware of the dangers of alcohol use when pregnant or planning a pregnancy, or not being supported to stay healthy and strong during pregnancy.
NOFASD Australia is a family-focused organisation and is the essential bridge linking those with lived experience with researchers and clinicians.
Support
NOFASD Australia
Autism Spectrum Disorder
1 in 70 Australian are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The work spectrum reflects the wide range of difference that people on the spectrum experience and the extent to which they may be affected. No two people on the autism spectrum are alike, and all have unique strengths and interests.
All people on the autism spectrum are affected to some degree in two main areas: social communication and repetitive patterns of behaviour. Autism is also often characterised by sensory sensitivities. Autism is a lifelong developmental condition.
The quality of life for many children is significantly improved by a diagnosis that leads to appropriate evidence-informed intervention or support that recognises individual strengths and interests.
Support
NT Government
Autism Australia
Autism Spectrum Australia
Other Support Organisations
Carers NT
Carers NT are the voice that represents the needs and interests of carers in the Northern Territory, working to achieve an improved quality of life for family carers in the NT.
Association for Children with Disability
ACD produced the first guide for families in 1986 and has continued to provide up-to-date and independent information ever since. All ACD information is written by families for families to help you ‘through the maze’ that is part of parenting a child with disability.
Emerging Minds
Emerging Minds develops mental health policy, services, interventions, training, programs and resources in response to the needs of healthcare professionals, children and their families. These include online resources, practical books, DVDs, online and face-to-face training. Emerging Minds partner with family members, national and international organisations to implement evidence based practice into the Australian context.
Raising Children
Funded by the Australian Government, Raising Children provides free, reliable, up-to-date and independent information to help your family grow and thrive together. Designed for busy families and full of tips and tricks for you to try, the content is easy to find and easy to digest including information and resources for children with additional needs.
Children and Young People with Disability Australia
CYDA is a not for profit, community organisation providing a link between the direct experiences of children and young people with disability and their families to federal government and other key stakeholders. This link is essential for the creation of a true appreciation of the experiences of and challenges for children and young people with disability and their families.