Parents' sofa: Parents as experts
Mrs Aeschlimann, what exactly is the parents' sofa?
The parents' sofa is a virtual meeting place: the website www.elternsofa.ch aims to connect parents of children with intellectual and multiple disabilities. Using the search function, fathers and mothers can search for other parents in similar situations and ask for advice or exchange ideas. How exactly this works is completely individual: some meet in person at the café, others write via WhatsApp or email. Also important: you can simply feel understood without much explanation.
Why did insieme set up the parents' sofa?
Parents of a child with an intellectual disability are faced with special situations. What is the best way to integrate my child into kindergarten? What can I do about annoying looks on the bus? What are the benefits of the maths app «mathildr» for kids with Down's syndrome?
«You can feel understood without much explanation»
Jill Aeschlimann
Going to a specialist centre is often time-consuming and the knowledge of the experts is not always easy to implement in everyday life. The parents' sofa offers tried-and-tested tips - from parent to parent. For many mums and dads of a child with an intellectual disability, it is sometimes simply good to talk to parents in a similar situation, to not have to explain themselves too much and to feel understood. It is also often motivating to see how other parents deal with their child's disability.
What are common questions from parents with children with intellectual disabilities?
Most parents feel the need to meet and chat with other mums and dads and their families in general. Specific questions are about integration into mainstream school, for example. Or questions about how to support children at an early age or what can be done if the child is struggling to make friends. Tips on health problems are also always in demand.
The self-help organisation insieme is committed to working for and with people with intellectual disabilities. It ensures good living conditions, informs and advises those affected, parents, friends and specialist groups, offers further training and a wide range of leisure and support programmes in all regions of Switzerland.
www.elternsofa.ch
Read more:
- «Moderately helpless»: Our everyday life with Maél and trisomy 21
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- The other child - living with autism
A disorder for some, a personality trait for others and a challenge for everyone. That is autism. It affects one in a hundred children in Switzerland. What does it mean for the child? What for their parents? And above all: who can help?