27 June 2010

Funding for babies with additional needs

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Skills for Carers at CIT has just confirmed that they will again be funding places for parents to attend the Infant Massage Workshops and also the Attachment Playgroups in Term 3. One mum who attended the Infant Massage workshop & Playgroup earlier this year wrote in her evaluation:

“For the first time since my son was born, I have felt like an ordinary mum. From doing the infant massage course I have learned that my son is much more than just a disability or a set of problems. It is magical to discover that I can provide my special baby with the same love and comfort as other mums are able to give their babies – and I cannot put into words what it is like to discover that he responds to feeling loved and comforted by me. For the first time since he was born I have felt like a regular mum, able to share experiences with other regular mums, and it feels incredible.”

Run by instructors from the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM) the groups & workshops are open to everyone – but the funding from Skills for Carers will enable parents or grandparents who care for a baby with additional needs to attend for free. This includes babies with a disability, medical or genetic condition, babies who are in out-of-home care or simply those who have had a rough start to life.

The IAIM programs provide parents with the opportunity to learn how to use massage, touch, songs & play and to help:

  • Bond & connect with their baby
  • Enhance their understanding of what their baby is saying with their cues and signals
  • Settle and comfort their baby
  • Increase and strengthen their confidence & trust in their own parenting styles

Sessions are held at a variety of times (including a “Dad’s Only” group held on Saturdays). Session times can be found here or by contacting Alice Campbell on (02) 6262 4346 or president1@iaim.com.au

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Certainly sounds like a different approach, but if it gets positive results for the parents and their children, then good on them.

God knows most of these parents need as much support as they can get.

I’ve heard good things about this program from families who’ve done it. Great that it’s being funded for the kids who need it most.

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