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Family Support Programs

Adjusting to Your Child’s Developmental Disability Diagnosis
Authors: Dr. Adrianne Da Silva & Therapist Marya Laviste

Learning that a child has a developmental disability can be a life-changing moment for the family. For many, it marks the beginning of a journey into a maze of emotions, information, relationships and services that, in time, may very well become the new “life as usual.” It’s a time in which you as a parent, grandparent, sibling or any other important person in the child’s life may start to examine the lens from behind which you view abilities, success, hope, love and happiness. If you have a loved one who has just recently been diagnosed with a developmental delay or other label, please know that you are not alone. There are many other families and professionals who will walk with you on this lifelong adventure. In addition to learning coping skills, approaches to self-help, and strategies to adjust to life with a developmentally disabled child, mental health professionals are also a wellspring of referrals. Not only can these professionals direct you to specialized mental health services county and state-wide, they can also help you identify a host of other exceptional supportive services.

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