DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES TO DRAW LESSONS ON FAMILY-CENTRED SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

By Morapedi Sibeko. 

• ⁠A learning visit to Japan continues to provide insight to nurture South African children with disabilities through a friendly family-orientated environment.
• Fathers are actively engaged in child development, and parents are encouraged to seek help.
• South African families echo the need for emotional, social, and structured support to overcome stigma and isolation.

A learning visit by officials of the South African Department of Social Development (DSD) continues to gain new insights into holistic, family-centred care for children with disabilities at Yamabiko-en, a therapeutic child development centre in Otsu, Japan.

The centre provides a nurturing environment that places families at the core of child development, reflecting a philosophy that the foundation of development becomes the root of a child’s strength to live. Yamabiko-en supports children’s emotional, social, and developmental growth through intentional activities from play and learning, to mealtimes. It also creates safe spaces for parents to reflect, share experiences, and connect with peers.

At the centre they have different campaigns to reach out to family members in order to encourage support from different family members. The Director, Miwa Hayashi, noted that this initiative helps balance parenting responsibilities and strengthens emotional connections.

Support for parents is seen as a cornerstone of successful child development. Yamabiko-en helps caregivers build confidence by normalising the need to ask for help and seek guidance. As practitioners at the centre affirm: “Children need companions, and so do adults.”

In South Africa, these challenges resonate deeply. Jameelah Shah, who is part of the delegation in Japan and a parent of a child with a disability who also plays a leading role in the Strong Women Home-Based Respite Care initiative, reflects on what many families face. “There are not enough facilities that accommodate children with disabilities. Too often, extended family members treat parents as outcasts,” she explained. Her words highlight how exclusion extends beyond physical infrastructure into emotional isolation within homes and communities.

Yet, hope and healing emerge through connection. Parent-child joint activities offer more than bonding time. They shift attitudes and foster long-term acceptance. “Acceptance of a child with a disability starts from home,” said Shah. “Parents respond well to joint activities, but acceptance is key. Once the parents accept the child, siblings are more understanding and it becomes easier for the immediate community to support. Neighbours become more willing to help, and the process helps heal the family.”

In addition to parent-led sessions, Yamabiko-en offers solo child attendance to help children develop social skills, independence, and resilience. This model provides parents with much-needed respite, which is a vital component of sustainable caregiving. Accessible online platforms are playing a growing role in offering families guidance and support. But Yamabiko-en’s experience shows that in-person services and peer support remain essential.

“Acceptance and understanding of a child’s disability take time,” said Ms. Takako Ishikawa of Yamabiko-en’s Consultation Support Office. “It is best nurtured through consistent engagement with developmental professionals and social services.”

As the Department of Social Development moves to enhance inclusive and community-based support, the key lesson is clear: empowering children with disabilities starts by empowering their families. A society that supports its caregivers paves the way for children with disabilities to thrive and for communities to grow more compassionate, inclusive, and resilient.