Supporting children with disabilities and their families as early as possible can greatly improve their quality of life. Some children with disabilities require access to specialized services. This includes support for nutrition and feeding as children with disabilities are three times as likely to be malnourished as other children, and twice as likely to die from malnutrition.
Programs can reduce the risk of malnutrition among children with disabilities by, for example, equipping service providers and caregivers with the information and skills required to care for children with disabilities. Programs can also help children and families build resilience against the social and environmental barriers that prevent their full participation in society by providing community based interventions and helping caregivers build stronger bonds within their families and communities.
Caregivers of children with feeding difficulties or disabilities may face particular mental health challenges, therefore this section includes some key resources that, while not specific for caregivers of children with feeding difficulties or disabilities, can be particularly useful for supporting their mental health and well-being.
Use the resources in this section to better understand the needs of children with disabilities and their families and improve the support provided to them.
We found 31 resource(s)
Essential Actions on Disability-Inclusive Nutrition
Toolkit published by UNICEF in
This checklist provides a package of essential actions required to ensure disability-inclusive nutrition humanitarian action.
Caregiver Skills Training Programme for Families of Children with Developmental Disorders or Delays
Training Material published by WHO in
This training program teaches caregivers how to use play and home activities with their children with disabilities.
Counseling and Support
Resource Library published by Smile Train in
This set of resources provides information on the support available to people with cleft lip and/or palate and their caregivers.
Stimulation Therapy for Malnourished Children under 5 Years Old
Brief published by Humanity & Inclusion in
This brief provides an overview of stimulation therapy for malnourished children under 5 years old.
How to Help Mothers with Mental Distress
Information, Education and Communication Materials published by Bettercare in
This chapter of the Bettercare Learning Programmes gives health workers the information they need to understand and support mothers experiencing mental distress during pregnancy and childbirth.
Ubuntu Manual: Working Together with Families of Children with Developmental Disabilities
Training Material published by Ubuntu in
Ubuntu aims to increase the knowledge and skills required for caring for a child with a developmental disability
Baby Ubuntu
Training Material published by Ubuntu in
Baby Ubuntu includes training, supervision, and mentoring of facilitators and provides recommendations on how to monitor and evaluate the program.
Supporting Children's Speech and Cognitive Development from Birth to Seven Years Old
Assessment Tool published by Save the Children Italy, Save the Children Sweden in
This tool provides parents and caregivers with ways to understand, follow, and stimulate their children’s language, speech, and cognitive development at home.
