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.
Watch and interpret facial expressions
Children often use unique facial expressions, sounds and body language to communicate. For example:
smiling, frowning or pouting
babbling, laughing and crying
turning their head away to mean ‘no’
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.
Respond to your child
It can take time and patience to work out what your child is trying to tell you. It will help if you:
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
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.
Hold and carry your child – but let them move
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:
hold your child’s body against you, but leave their arms and legs free
make a ‘chair’ out of your arms for your child to sit in.
Make getting dressed easier
Positions that may make getting your child dressed easier include:
lying your child on their stomach, side or back
sitting them on a chair or your lap
standing them between your legs.
Try new positions when nappy changing
Nappy changing may be difficult if your child’s legs are stiff. To help, you can:
bend their knees to separate their legs
place a small pillow under their head.
Use different sitting and lying positions to build strength
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.
Encourage standing and movement
Regular standing and movement are needed for muscle strength and healthy bones and joints. You can help your child by:
using a standing frame if your child is unable to stand independently
placing a favourite toy just out of reach to encourage them to roll, crawl or walk.
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved
by:
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Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.
