A child’s most important relationships in their first years of life are with their parents, family or carers, who can support them as they learn to develop other relationships while experiencing the world around them.

Children will first learn to connect, communicate, share and negotiate with others at home. It is important that they get to spend time with other children and adults from a very young age, so they start understanding what it means to be part of a community.

For a family with a child with CP, home can at times be an isolating and challenging place, as you navigate becoming a parent, learn about your child’s CP, and communicate their various social and learning needs to others. This is all while you are trying to look after the well-being of everyone else in the family, including any other children.

It can sometimes be a bit challenging for a child with CP to develop friendships, particularly if they have difficulty with speech or facial expressions.

If you feel that your child is struggling socially, talk to your healthcare team about what support is available and what you can do to help your child connect successfully with others. It may help to see a speech therapist or an occupational therapist who can provide some useful communication tips and techniques.

Finding opportunities to encourage friendships and connections will have significant benefits for you and your child. Joining parent groups, playgroups and accessible activities can help create social opportunities for your child and provide you with a network of supportive parents and families.

Even when your child is really young, social interactions provide them with a way to explore the world and find their way through different social situations. Friendships with other children can have a positive effect on your child’s development and help them develop resilience as they grow and prepare for childcare, kindergarten and school, where you won’t always be around.

When your child does start childcare, kindergarten or school, talk to their teachers or carers about CP, and whether there is any support they might be able to provide your child to help them connect with other children effectively.

In the below section, you will find resources to help support the development of positive relationships.