SBH Queensland services
Information service
The SBH Queensland Information Service is responsible for
- Spinet The quarterly newsletter has a circulation of 1200. It is mainly distributed in Queensland but it is also sent around the world. Download here
- This website
- A small library for the use of members The library has approximately 700 books and 150 videos. the library receives newsletters and magazines from the main spina bifida and hydrocephalus organisations throughout the world.
- Booklets, Brochures and Information Sheets The Information Service produces a number of Booklets, Brochures and Information Sheets. All of these have all been written by SBH Queensland staff.
- Health and Medical Information The service keeps abreast of the latest advances in research and treatment of spina bifida and hydrocephalus and associated conditions, such as latex allergy, Chiari II malformation etc.
Services for children with SBH
SBH Queensland provides services to children with spina bifida and hydrocephalus and their families to help them prepare their child for life at school and beyond.
- Individual support through home visits
- Support groups and networking among families
- Support and liaison with medical staff at hospital clinics
- Advice on aids, equipment and home modifications
- Country outreach trips
- Playgroups in Brisbane
- Annual Christmas Party
- Equipment for short term loan to help families decide on the most suitable equipment for their child
- Annual Camps for 10 – 13 year olds for four days during the September school holidays
For children with a severe level of disability, SBH Queensland also provides
- Assistance with inclusion in schools
- Individual therapy and programs to assist play skills, independence, social interactions and academic needs
To help children to be included as fully as possible in schools and other educational settings, SBH Queensland provides information on mobility issues, continence issues, and the common difficulties associated with hydrocephalus to teachers, school staff and other service providers. As well as information SBH Queensland staff also provide advice on strategies to deal with these problems as they arise at school and home.
SBH Queensland’s therapists also provide information and advice to other professionals and therapists who work with children with spina bifida and hydrocephalus.
Services for adults with SBH
SBH ASSIST (Adults Services Skills Information and Support Team) provides 2 services.
- GOALS (Growth Opportunities Access and Life Skills)
- IRS (Individual Response Service)
The GOALS service helps adults with SBH to develop and maintain a meaningful lifestyle and to enhance their quality of life. During 2009 three projects each running for about 3 months are being provided to 24 people – 8 in each project.
Each project has a slightly different focus.
The Cross City Challenge will increase people’s knowledge and skill with finding and accessing public facilities and transport by giving participants an opportunity to learn and practice these skills in a safe environment.
The Healthy, Wealthy and Wise project will develop and expand upon a range of independent living skills including shopping, cooking, clothes washing, household management and budgeting.
The Rainforest Retreat project, which was run in April, helped participants to explore and develop positive self-concepts, greater self-awareness and more effective communication skills.
Each project begins by working with each participant (2 visits over 2 weeks) to identify and prioritise personal and specific goals for the project. The participants then take part in a 4-day workshop developing their skills, knowledge and self confidence. Each project finishes with a 4 to 6 week period where staff visit each individual once a week and reinforce their learning and development in their home environment.
The IRS (Individual Response Service) provides short term support to adults with SBH experiencing significant and unexpected life changes. This usually involves only 1 to 3 visits to help the person with their issue and perhaps a referral to a long-term service if needed.
