The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has been set up to assist those with a disability as a framework to promote inclusion and participation in the community. For children with disabilities such as; down syndrome, autism (ASD) or cerebral palsy, children together with their families are to design goals that are very specific for them that encourage inclusion and participation.
When thinking of goals questions you may ask yourself include; What specific tasks does your child struggle with? What new skills/tasks would make life easier or more enjoyable? Once you have answered this your team of health clinicians will then assist by providing therapy and supports that can be put in place to help your child reach their goals. These goals can be as simple as learning to walk, stand on one leg to kick a football, reduce foot or ankle pain to allow ongoing participation in an activity or to increase walking distance without fatigue.
Once you have goals in mind the next step is to “plan for your planning meeting”, and by doing this you will provide your planner with valuable information on whether funds should be allocated for podiatry or not. But how do you know you need support from a podiatrist? Will your planner tell you? You may have googled yourself and found this blog and thus there may be a pathway for a podiatrist to help your child. A podiatrist can assist children with low tone, hypermobility, walking difficulties, toe walking, problems with fitting footwear, foot pain, gross motor skill acquisition, and skin or nail issues.
To assist further organise a brief, no charge online telehealth/virtual appointment with Antoni to discuss if your infant, toddler, child or adolescent son or daughter requires a consultation. Please email Antoni directly to book a time antoni@ajcpodiatry.com.au or via Lefort Podiatry and Fairfield Podiatry where Antoni offers face to face & online consultations.
