FUNction - a(nother) parents perspective (Kellie)!

This week we're joined by Kellie!

In this episode of TheraBytes, we get to speak with Kellie, the mother of Nate, a child with cerebral palsy, about function and the F-words. Kellie shares her experiences and insights on what function looked like for Nate in his early years, and what it looks like today.

She emphasises the importance of adapting to his needs and making decisions whilst also balancing the needs of her other children. She discusses how she advocates for Nate's independence, academic success, and social-emotional development in school. 

This involves open communication with the school, making sure that he can engage in the curriculum in ways that work for him, like using voice-to-text for writing tasks. Kellie also emphasises the importance of allowing Nate to rest when he's tired and ensuring he has opportunities to develop friendships without being "helicoptered" by adults. The school has been supportive, making adjustments to the environment and being flexible with testing.

Kellie advises parents to look after themselves, explore different schools, and maintain open communication with the school, therapy teams, and doctors. She stresses the importance of adapting and adjusting goals as needed and ensuring everyone is on the same page regarding Nate's needs. Ultimately, Kellie wants Nate to be as functional as possible, make meaningful friendships, and love life.