Developmental disability or disorder, or congenital multiple or physical disability, family course for children

The family course is suitable for children

• who have been diagnosed with a developmental disability or disorder, or a congenital multiple or physical disability, for example
  • Intellectual disability
  • Cohen or Kabuki syndrome
  • Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS)
  • Cri du Chat syndrome (cat cry syndrome - CdCS)
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Noonan syndrome (NS)
  • Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome
  • Russel-Silver syndrome (RSS)
  • Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)
  • Williams syndrome (WS)
  • Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS)
  • Aspartylglucosaminuria (AGU)
  • Perisylvian syndrome
• who are under school age (over 1 year), starting school, primary school age or starting secondary school
•  whose functional capacity enables them to participate fully in the family course. 

The course is not suitable for children whose illness prevents participation in group-based rehabilitation or whose functional capacity is equivalent to that of a child with a severe or profound developmental disability.

Rehabilitation is arranged for the following target groups:

• children under school age and starting school
• children in primary school or starting secondary school

Purpose of the course  

The aim of the course is to provide comprehensive information and guidance for the child and the family and to help them live a full and meaningful life despite the condition or disorder from which the child is suffering. Rehabilitation is also a way of strengthening the family’s resources and life management skills as well as a means of providing support for the family and its support networks. It also provides opportunities to meet other families who are in a similar situation.

Content of the course and implementation

The rehabilitation is implemented as group rehabilitation taking each child’s and family’s individual goal and need for rehabilitation into consideration.

The course includes group discussions and working in small groups, a variety of activities as well as individual interviews, meetings and discussions with rehabilitation experts.

The rehabilitation is arranged on the service provider’s premises. The course lasts 5 days.

The child’s family accompanies the child throughout the rehabilitation. As a rule, 1 to 2 adult close relatives and 1 to 2 siblings participate in the family course. Siblings under the age of 2 can always participate in family rehabilitation.  If a child has more than 2 siblings over the age of 2, Kela will assess whether they should participate in the rehabilitation. We will also ask the service provider if they are able to plan and carry out the rehabilitation in a way that makes it possible for several siblings to participate.

The family can stay overnight at the place of the rehabilitation or travel there from home each day. 
The service provider contacts the family before and after the rehabilitation.

Course personnel

The course is implemented by the following experts:

• specialist in pediatrics or pediatric neurology
• registered nurse or public health nurse
• physiotherapist
• social worker, Bachelor of Social Sciences, rehabilitation instructor or Master of Social Sciences (major subject rehabilitation science).

Depending on the child's individual needs, other rehabilitation professionals and assisting personnel may also take part.

Applying to a course