Parenting is a journey filled with love, learning, and challenges. Every parent, regardless of their background or abilities, deserves the right support to raise happy, healthy children. For parents with intellectual disability, this support becomes even more essential—not because they are less capable, but because they may face unique barriers that require tailored assistance.
At Supporting Learning for Children with Needs (SLCN), we believe that all parents can thrive with the right support. This blog post explores the importance of parenting support for people with intellectual disability, the types of help available, and how services like the NDIS can play a vital role in empowering families.
An intellectual disability (ID) is a condition that affects a person’s ability to learn, reason, problem-solve, and adapt to everyday life. It can vary from mild to profound and may impact communication, social skills, and daily living tasks.
Importantly, having an intellectual disability does not mean someone cannot be a good parent. With the right support, many parents with ID raise children who are safe, loved, and thriving.
Parenting is not meant to be done alone. Whether it’s learning how to soothe a crying baby, managing school routines, or navigating teenage emotions, every parent benefits from guidance and encouragement.
For parents with intellectual disability, support is not about replacing their role—it’s about enhancing their strengths and helping them overcome challenges. Support helps build confidence, reduce stress, and improve outcomes for both parent and child.
Key Message: Getting support is good for your child and good for you.
Support for parenting can take many forms. It’s not just about learning how to parent—it’s also about making everyday life easier and more manageable.
Understanding how children grow, learn, and behave is a big part of parenting. Parents with ID may benefit from:
These tools help parents understand what their child needs at each stage and how to respond in ways that support healthy development.
Parenting involves a lot of practical tasks—cooking, cleaning, organizing, and more. Support can include:
This kind of help reduces stress and allows parents to focus more on bonding with their child.
Play is how children learn. Parents with ID may need support to:
Support workers or therapists can model these activities and help parents feel confident in their role as their child’s first teacher.
Navigating systems like Centrelink, Medicare, or school enrolments can be overwhelming. Support may include:
Having someone to explain things clearly and advocate alongside the parent can make a big difference.
Support can come from many people and services. It’s important to build a circle of support that includes:
Trusted family members or friends can offer emotional support, help with childcare, or assist with tasks. They can also be a sounding board when things feel tough.
Support workers trained in disability and parenting can provide regular, practical help. They can visit the home, go to appointments, or help with parenting skills.
Services like playgroups, maternal and child health nurses, and early intervention programs can support both parent and child. These services often offer free advice, activities, and developmental checks.
Speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and psychologists can help with specific challenges. For example, a speech therapist might support a parent in understanding their child’s communication needs.
Some parents find strength in connecting with others who have similar experiences. Peer support groups or advocacy organisations can offer encouragement, share tips, and reduce feelings of isolation.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a key source of support for many Australians with intellectual disability. If you have an NDIS plan, you may be able to get help with parenting through your plan.
Depending on your goals and needs, the NDIS might fund:
To get support for parenting, it’s important to talk about it in your planning meeting. You can say things like:
Your planner or Local Area Coordinator (LAC) can help you include these goals in your plan.
Tip: Bring a support person to your meeting and write down your goals ahead of time.
Emma is a mum with mild intellectual disability. When her son was born, she felt overwhelmed by all the new information. With the help of a support worker, Emma learned how to change nappies, prepare bottles, and understand her baby’s cues. She also joined a supported playgroup where she made friends and learned new parenting skills. Today, Emma feels proud of how far she’s come.
Liam has an NDIS plan that includes support for parenting his two daughters. He gets help with school paperwork, setting up routines, and attending parent-teacher meetings. With this support, Liam feels more confident and involved in his children’s education.
Here are some practical tips to help you on your parenting journey:
At Supporting Learning for Children with Needs (SLCN), we are committed to supporting families of all kinds. We understand that parents with intellectual disability may need extra help—and we’re here to provide it with respect, compassion, and practical tools.
Our services include:
Visit www.slcn.com.au to learn more or contact us to speak with a friendly team member.
Being a parent is one of life’s most important roles. With the right support, parents with intellectual disability can raise children who are loved, safe, and thriving. Support is not a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of strength and commitment to your child’s future.
If you or someone you know is a parent with intellectual disability, remember: you are not alone. Help is available, and you deserve it.
Let’s work together to build a world where every parent is supported, and every child has the opportunity to shine.
