Services

Information
The SBH Queensland Information Service is responsible for

  • Spinet
     The 12 page newsletter has a circulation of 1200 and although it is mainly distributed in Queensland it is also sent to other spina bifida associations throughout the world.
  • This website and the Australian Spina Bifida website www.asbha.org.au
     The information on spina bifida and hydrocephalus for the Australian site was compiled by the SBH Queensland Information Service and all enquiries through the Ask the Expert section of the site are handled by the SBH Queensland Information Service.
  • A small library for the use of members
     The library has approximately 700 books, 150 videos and receives the newsletters and magazines from the main spina bifida and hydrocephalus organisations throughout the world.
  • Booklets, Brochures and Information Sheets
     The service also produces a number of Booklets, Brochures and Information Sheets which are listed here. All of these have all been written by staff of SBH Queensland.
  • Health and Medical Information
     The service keeps abreast of the latest advances in research and treatment of spina bifida and hydrocephalus and any associated conditions, such as latex allergy, Chiari II malformation etc.

For children

SBH Queensland provides services to the families of children with spina bifida to help them to 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 selected children with a severe level of disability, SBH Queensland also provides
  • Assistance with inclusion in schools
  • 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 working in the community with children with spina bifida and hydrocephalus.

For adults

SBH ASSIST (Adults Services Skills Information and Support Team) provides 2 services as time permits.

  1. GOALS which stands for Growth Opportunities Access and Life Skills
  2. IRS which stands for Individual Response Service.

The GOALS service helps adults with SBH to develop and independently maintain a meaningful lifestyle and to enhance their quality of life. During 2008, three projects each running for about 3 months are being provided to a maximum of 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 practise 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) involves providing short term support for adults with SBH experiencing significant and unexpected life changes. Typically this involves no more than 2 or 3 visits to help the person with their issue and perhaps a referral to a long-term service if needed.