[Comprehensive Guide] A Strong Ally for Families with Children with Disabilities: An Easy-to-Understand Introduction to Local Support Systems!

"It's tough to take care of children with just the family."

"I couldn't get my child into daycare, but I want opportunities to connect with others and society."

Some families with children who have disabilities might have these concerns.

There are systems and services available for such situations. In this article, we will introduce places and systems that take care of children with disabilities.

We hope this provides some reassurance that you don't have to handle everything alone as a family.

1. Concerns and Anxieties Faced by Families with Disabled Children

Families with disabled children often face these concerns and anxieties.

The presence of supporters and support organizations can help alleviate these worries.

・The challenges of daily life, such as daily care, medical care, and accompanying during transportation
・Uncertainty about the future, not knowing how to interact, and other parenting concerns
・Lack of personal time, inability to perform household tasks adequately, and limitations in social roles

Reference: The Burden of Mothers Raising Children with Severe Physical and Mental Disabilities at Home and Factors Affecting It | Journal of the Japan Society of Nursing Research

As a parent, you want to do everything you can for your child, but raising them solely as a family can be physically and mentally taxing. It's natural to have worries and concerns.

The presence of supporters and support organizations can help alleviate these worries.

2. Introducing Facilities and Systems that Support Families with Disabled Children!

2-1. Daycare Support

First, let's introduce "daycare support," a service that supports children with disabilities or developmental concerns in attending facilities.

There are four main types of daycare support.

・Child Development Support
・Medical Child Development Support
・After-School Day Services
・Nursery School Visit Support

Reference: Using Disability Welfare Services (p6-7) | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Among these, Child Development Support, Medical Child Development Support, and After-School Day Services provide places for children with disabilities to attend.

At these facilities, children can receive therapy, practice necessary daily life skills through play, experience group living, and receive rehabilitation, offering experiences that are difficult to achieve at home.

Some places require parents to attend with their children, but there are also places that take care of children, helping to resolve issues like "not having personal time" or "being constantly tired from caring for the child."

Interacting with adults other than family and playing with other children can also help develop the child's social skills.

Let's take a closer look.

2-1-1. Child Development Support & Medical Child Development Support

Child Development Support primarily provides therapy for preschool-aged children with disabilities.

It is divided into Child Development Support Centers and Child Development Support Projects. The Child Development Support Centers also serve as support organizations in the community. If they provide medical services, they are termed "Medical."

There doesn't seem to be a significant difference in the therapy provided between Child Development Support Centers and Projects, but Child Development Support Centers tend to be slightly larger in scale.

Each center and project has its own characteristics, so it's a good idea to visit and find a facility that suits your child.

2-1-2. After-School Day Services

After-School Day Services are available for school-aged children with disabilities. These facilities aim to promote independence and create a place for children by providing training related to improving life skills after school and during long vacations like summer and winter breaks.

For children with disabilities, options like attending after-school programs or taking lessons may not be available, so these services also function as places for parents to leave their children if they are working.

The content of therapy varies by facility, so if there are multiple places you can access, it's a good idea to visit and decide.

2-1-3. Nursery School Visit Support

Nursery School Visit Support provides support for children with disabilities who are currently or planning to attend nursery schools, kindergartens, certified child centers, schools, etc.

When children with disabilities participate in group living, individualized support is often needed due to their disabilities or characteristics.

However, providing such support can be challenging in nursery schools that are not accustomed to dealing with children with disabilities, leading to parental anxiety.

Nursery School Visit Support helps alleviate this.

Specifically, professionals such as child instructors, nursery teachers, and occupational therapists visit nursery schools to provide support to help children adapt to group living.

2-2. Home Visit Services

Engaging with others outside the home and having opportunities to separate from parents are valuable experiences for both parents and children.

However, some children may find it difficult to go outside due to health reasons. In such cases, home visit services are helpful.

These services can be used when it's challenging for the family to provide care alone.

2-2-1. Home Nursing Services

Home nursing involves nurses visiting the home to observe health conditions and perform medical procedures.

These services are often provided by home nursing stations, and the services available may vary by station, but support for daily activities like bathing assistance may also be available.

Reference: What is Home Nursing? | Japan Visiting Nurse Foundation

For children requiring medical care, some parents use this service to take a break or go out for a change of pace while the staff takes care of the child.

Some facilities also have rehabilitation staff such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists, allowing for rehabilitation at home. This can be useful if there are no nearby rehabilitation facilities or if appointments are hard to get.

A doctor's referral is required to use these services, so consult with your primary care physician or the hospital's social worker if you wish to use them.

2-2-2. Home Care Services

Home care involves home helpers visiting the home to assist with daily activities such as bathing and toileting, as well as help with cooking and cleaning.

Families with disabled children can also use this service, and many families on social media mention requesting bathing assistance.

Some home helpers have completed training under the "Sputum Aspiration, etc. System" and can provide medical care, so families with children requiring medical care might look for agencies with certified helpers.

Reference: From April 2012, a system for sputum aspiration and tube feeding by care workers will begin. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare