Helping a child with a disability with everyday activities

If you have a child with a disability you can help improve their communication and movement if you encourage them to take part in the activities of daily living. Everyday activities like getting dressed and having a bath are great opportunities to encourage your child’s development and have fun. Children learn a lot in the first three years, so it is a good idea to start as early as possible.

Children often use unique facial expressions, sounds and body language to communicate.

For example: using their eyes to point to people or objects. It is therefore important to remember: nearly every sound and action your child makes is meaningful.

All children communicate differently. It can take time and patience to work out what your child is trying to tell you.

It will help if you: make communication fun

Use bright colours and noisy toys to attract your child’s attention.Talk to your child’s healthcare professionals about the most suitable physical positions and activities of daily living for your child.

Try to hold your child in a way that will let them develop their own strength and balance and that allows them look around. You can: make a ‘chair’ out of your arms for your child to sit in. Positions that may make getting your child dressed easier include: standing them between your legs.

Nappy changing may be difficult if your child’s legs are stiff.

To help, you can: place a small pillow under their head

Sitting and lying in different positions helps develop strength, for example: Lying on their side lets a child use their hands and feet.

Lying on their stomach strengthens back, neck and arm muscles. Sitting on the floor with their legs straight stretches leg muscles. Sitting on a chair develops upper body strength – make sure their feet are flat on the floor or footrest.

Regular standing and movement are needed for muscle strength and healthy bones and joints. You can help your child by: placing a favourite toy just out of reach to encourage them to roll, crawl or walk. support children with a disability or developmental delay from birth until they go to school, and their families.

Watch and interpret facial expressions smiling, frowning or pouting babbling, laughing and crying turning their head away to mean ‘no’ Respond to your child act confidently when you know what they want respond to all of your child’s sounds and actions place yourself face-to-face and level with your child imitate any sounds your child makes copy any words they say keep your sentences short and simple Hold and carry your child – but let them move hold your child’s body against you, but leave their arms and legs free Make getting dressed easier lying your child on their stomach, side or back sitting them on a chair or your lap Try new positions when nappy changing bend their knees to separate their legs Use different sitting and lying positions to build strength Encourage standing and movement using a standing frame if your child is unable to stand independently Support services for children with disabilities Early Childhood Intervention Services (ECIS) Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Your paediatrician Early Childhood Intervention Services .