Parent Link

Parent Link is a support programme for parents of children with disabilities of all ages, from newborn to adult. The programme runs once a month and offers parents a chance to interact and connect with parents in similar situations as them, as well as those who are further along in the journey of parenting special children. It gives parents a chance to seek support and give others support. Events also include insight on specific topics by professionals and experts in that field.

This event will focus on how to identify red flags and early warning signs that your child may be struggling with mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. In this time of the Covid-19 pandemic, with lockdowns and isolations, and social interactions being limited or completely restricted, many people are struggling to redefine themselves within the new norms and deal with feelings of loneliness and aloneness, struggling to adapt to change, or cope with the new normal. For people with disabilities, some of these struggles may be felt even more intensely, such as the child with an Autism diagnosis who doesn't like dealing with changes in routine having to implement lockdown protocols with little to no warning, or the teen with sensory difficulties having to endure wearing a mask at school for 7 hours a day, or the social butterfly with intellectual disability who doesn't understand why she can't see her friends at school every day. Our children are at risk for struggling with their mental health issues, and may not be able to tell us, show us, or even process their own feelings to be able to understand what they need. In this talk, Counselling Psychologist Xandria Louw will help parents with what to look out for and how to best support their child and get them the help they need. Additional resources will also be provided to attendees. Parents will have an opportunity to ask questions of Xandria and the group as this is an interactive session.

This event is taking place via Zoom, and there is no charge to participate.