David Cameron has pledged to provide parents of disabled children with “support, trust and respect” and make the assessment process for them as pain-free and simple as possible.

In Austria, all the relevant specialists work together by coming into the patients home on the same day to make an assessment of the disabled child and to provide support to the family that they might need.

David Cameron stressed, in a speech to the Research Autism National Conference, “For the sake of these families’ sanity we are looking at the evidence and considering doing something similar in the UK, pulling professionals like doctors, paediatric nurses, physiotherapists and benefits specialists together in one team to act as a one-stop-shop for assessment and advice.”

David Cameron had earlier explained that, as a parent of a disabled child, he learned “five big lessons” that have had a direct impact on what he wants to do in government for those with disabilities and their families:

The importance of early intervention and help - which is why a Conservative Government will increase the number of health visitors.

Life is difficult enough for parents with disabled children without making them jump through hundreds of government hoops.

It must be easier for parents to get the right education for children
Like all other carers, parents need a break.

More power and control should be put right into the hands of parents, carers or those with disabilities, through, for example, personal budgets and direct payments.

David Cameron underlined the importance of supporting parents of disabled children, stressing:

“Just consider what it would mean if the army of parents and carers in this country gave up, packed up, said they couldn't cope any more. The financial cost of looking after those children would be immense – and the emotional cost doesn't bear thinking about.”

David Cameron talks about the struggles of being a parent of a disabled child

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i have been thinking about what his views were on disability, nice to know he understands.

(10-10-2009 04:13 PM)becky28 Wrote:  i have been thinking about what his views were on disability, nice to know he understands.

I suppose David Cameron having had first hand experience of having a child with special need's helps him understand the journey we parents face as to be fair to David Cameron he always used NHS care and did not go private as many would.
It would also be intresting a statement from Nick Clegg and Gordon Brown and a request has been sent.

Does Gordon Brown not have a disabled son aswell?

i was worrying that us parents might lose the bit of support that we are getting now, but my mind is at ease. i think i knew in the back of my mind he was the father of a disabled child now sadly passed away. i wonder sometimes if things are ever going to reach a point where finacial help and actual support might get easier. he mentions parents shouldnt have to jump through hoops just for help. it does feel like that doesnt it.