Strengthening Families Helps Family with Special Needs
When government agencies and community groups team up to help a family, amazing things can happen.
A recent example is a Waitakere family that benefited from the coordinated efforts of multiple agencies.
The family’s autistic child was the centre of concern – he had a knack of leaving the yard if left unattended; he banged his head repeatedly against a wall when upset, leaving his family concerned that he might inadvertently put his head through a window; he always seemed to have a runny nose; and he was restless at night.
The family was referred to Strengthening Families, which brings together a family and all the agencies that interact or need to interact with that family.
Over several Strengthening Families meetings, the family and agencies collectively resolved a number of issues:
Housing New Zealand provided insulation to keep the house warmer.
Waitakere DHB, Taikura Trust and Access Able teamed up to provide a safe fenced play area. In addition all low-level windows were replaced with safety glass.
The child’s doctor provided melatonin to assist with sleep and spray for his nose problems.
Taikura Trust engaged Behaviour Support workers to help the parents with strategies for responding to the child’s behaviour.
The school provided visual communication cards to help the family communicate with the child.
By the end of the Strengthening Families process, the parents had regained the energy they needed (as well as familiarity with key support agencies) to manage further needs on their own.
Strengthening Families is facilitated by Family and Community Services. For more information, visit the Strengthening Families website.
