All parents and carers of children with disability or delay, including extended families, will benefit greatly from the program.

Yes, all Carers are welcomed and valued. In the past, we have had mums, dads, foster parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents attend the course – representing the diverse nature of modern families.

Yes, your family will benefit from the Now&Next program, regardless of what stage of the journey you are at. Past families include those who don’t have a diagnosis yet, to those who may have had a diagnosis for a number of years. No matter what stage your family is at, you and your family will benefit greatly from Now&Next.

We really recommend that you attend all sessions, so you receive the full benefit of the program. Ideas build upon each other over the weeks, so attending every session is ideal.

We understand that unexpected things do come up, such as children getting sick, and we will support families to catch up where possible
If multiple sessions are being run in a term, you are most welcome to join another group for a make-up session.

Parents of children with disability and delay are super busy. We have more to do and think about, like therapy, specialist appointments, and researching (lots of researching). During Now & Next you will create a vision for your child, and set a clear path of priorities and goals. You will learn strategies and have access to tools to help you. By making the time to participate in Now&Next, you will feel more in control of your own, your family’s, and your child’s future.

We understand that your time is limited, which is why the main commitment is to the weekly sessions. There is no homework, except to work on goals.

As parents, we want to do the best for our children, especially when early intervention is so important, and there is a time pressure to do all that we can in these early years.

The research shows us that prioritising your own needs, health and wellbeing, mean you are better able to care for your child. During Now&Next we will investigate finding a balance, and how to make time for yourself, that isn’t detrimental to your child’s needs.

During Now&Next, you will meet parents like you, who are going on a similar journey. Your Now&Next facilitators are parents of a child with disability or delay, who also understand what you are experiencing. You will share stories, share strategies, and you will learn from each other. Some families like to share a lot about their experience while others prefer to listen more. It’s up to you how much you share in the sessions.

You are not alone! In the early days, as diagnosis are investigated, we are plunged into the ‘medical’ and ‘deficit’ model, and ‘worst case scenario’, when professionals may focus on what our child can’t do, and don’t always recognise the natural authority of parents.

During Now & Next, we investigate how to achieve the best life for our children. While acknowledging the challenges, we focus on the positives and the possibilities. We recognise our children’s strengths, talents, and what they can do.

You will learn strategies to create a more even playing field with professionals, and how to achieve better outcomes for your child. You will look at how to work closely with your team of therapists, and maximise value from the hourly therapy sessions you and your child attend. You will develop strategies around working with professionals, and recognise that families are the ones who make the biggest difference in their children’s lives. We look at how we can support our children to reach their goals and milestones.

Yes, you can…and we encourage both partners to attend, where they can.

Caring for a child with a disability or delay, can put a lot of strain on relationships. The bad news is that the statistics are against us. The rate of separation and divorce is much higher amongst our families. The good news is that in Now&Next you will learn strategies which will strengthen your relationship and partnership in parenting. When families thrive, children thrive. You will create and celebrate family goals. You will create memories, and a new trajectory to travel together, as a family.

You could also choose to attend the program with a close family member, or a friend.

Absolutely! Whilst Now&Next includes some NDIS content, and will benefit planning or pre-planning preparation, the program is about so much more. The Now&Next focus extends beyond child therapy goals, to incorporate all-important aspects of your child’s life, your family’s security, and your own wellbeing.

Now&Next is based on adult learning principles. There are multiple activities and each session is very interactive – certainly not a lecture-style format.

Each Now&Next session follows a similar format, with different focus topics each week. Sessions include various individual and group activities, mini-talks, and video content.

Families keep in touch between sessions via a private Facebook page, which offers additional content and useful links, as well as an opportunity to connect with other parents, and share ideas or offer suggestions and support.

The program costs $940 AU for families, and you can pay with your NDIS funding. Please contact clayton@plumtree.org.au if you don’t have NDIS funding to discuss sponsorship. Clayton can also help you are an organisation or if you have international inquiries.

We try to provide childcare where we can, but this depends on location and times. Plumtree at Marrickville offer free childcare during Saturday programs at this stage. Please ask us if childcare is available in your area.

We have a fantastic team of Facilitators, who are themselves, parents of children with disability or delay. Their experience adds depth of knowledge and understanding – they ‘get it’. All Parent Facilitators come through a leadership pipeline that involves extensive training.