- A child with a disability is a child with a special ability -

Father’s Special Needs Support

I'm a father of a special needs child
How do I go about finding support?

Being a father is probably the most important thing a man will ever do.
But sometimes we need to ask the question who’s ‘going to be there for us?
Fathers can cope better if they can get some support and encouragement not just from other fathers but family members and friends.
It may seem hard to find information and support for any father let alone a father of a special needs child but there are signs of change happening.
There is Fathers who are having a say and are starting to be heard, and they are asking for advice and support not just for their child but for themselves and by this happening gradually fathers groups are starting up all over the country.

But where can I go for help?
There are many sources of information on special needs issues but sometimes you need advice and support at a time to suit yourself but advice and support is becoming more available for Fathers nowadays.
Thou I must say that not all of these are welcoming or supportive of fathers, this is why fathers need to feel genuinely understood and valued - and we are often likely to get that form another father

What will I get from a fathers’ group?
Most of the fathers groups that are available are concentrating on how the starting point of that group should value what fathers have to offer. But not all groups are the same as us fathers are all different.

Though you will find that some are local groups around and some are national and well-established, you need to check out what is available for fathers in your area, for example some fathers groups meet in fathers own houses
Other groups are mainly social and fun, and activities can involve either fathers alone or fathers with their children, some groups focus on counselling or mutual support, with an emphasis on personal development and understanding the impact of childhood experiences on fathers’ relationships with their own children.

You can find fathers groups in many different places, such as a community centre, a local leisure centre, in schools and colleges or sometimes in local pubs.

Reasons why you should join a fathers group:
To find out how to be a better dad to be given a chance to share experiences with other fathers.
Exchange information about parenting skills or legal rights, health etc.
To give your self the opportunity to meet other fathers with children with special needs
Where can I start looking for a fathers group?

There isn’t always a father group in every area but there is more groups starting up and the numbers are steadily increasing.

You may find out about a group by asking other fathers or through friends, through a local newspaper talking to other parents searching on the Internet, your local library, or by contacting special needs support groups

What can I do if I can’t find a fathers group?

Then why not consider starting a fathers group, perhaps with a few other dads you already know or by placing an advert in a local newspaper
You could consider talking to parents local or put up some posters asking fathers to come forward to join your group.

But you need to start somewhere and maybe this is the right place and the right time for you to either join a fathers group or start your own, I hope this as been some help to you.

Groups:

UK

Bristol Teenage Dads Support

Telephone 01179 048226

Fathers and male cares group, Bristol

Cort Road
Family Centre
Kingswood
Bristol,
Bs15 9QP

Fathers Together Group (Sheffield)

Telephone 07802 426933

North America

Family of Men Support Society

320, 223 - 12 Ave SW
Calgary, AB T2V 0G9
Telephone (403) 265-6274

DADA Fathers Program

6118 Del Valle Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Marty Sweeney
Telephone(310) 829-6395

The Fathers Program (Down Syndrome Organization)

7006 Pine Gate Drive
Fort Wayne, IN 46804
Tom O’Neill
Telephone (219) 672-8647

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