When parents learn that their child has a disability or a chronic illness they often find themselves on an unexpected journey where they have to make difficult decisions, navigate strong emotions, juggle appointments with many professionals and find good services. Parents often feel isolated and unsure about where to begin their search for information, understanding and support.
The Parent Link Centre has support for you and is starting a new program especially for families who have children with special needs.
Parents or caregivers of a child with a disability know that mealtime tantrums, bedtime battles, and meltdowns can be extra challenging. The Parent Link Centre is very excited to offer Stepping Stones Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) in Cochrane, beginning in January.
Stepping Stones is a specialized program offering support to families who have children with special needs, ages 2-12 years. Stepping Stones will be offered through five interactive group sessions and will give parents tips and ideas to manage the big and small problems of family life, as well as opportunities to discuss those issues with other parents.
Existing support for families of special needs children at the Parent Link Centre includes a free, weekly drop-in child development program every Wednesday (9:30-11 a.m.). Lil’ Explorers is for parents and children, birth-6, to play, visit, share information and connect with other families who are on the same journey. We encourage families to bring their aides, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech-language pathologists and psychologists to visit too.
The Parent Link Centre also has an onsite library with parenting resources and children’s books. Families can borrow Parent Resource Boxes that address a variety of topics such as fine motor skills, speech and language, emotional regulation, divorce, and more. The Lindsie Haxton legacy library includes many books that provide reliable information regarding special needs. All of these resources are available for parents, caregivers, professionals and children to borrow.
Stepping Stones Triple P is a free program that will be offered at the Parent Link Centre (127 First Avenue W) on Wednesdays, January 13 – February 17 (no group on Feb. 3) from 7-9 p.m.
To register, please call 403-851-2250, or go online at www.cochrane.ca/eServices.
