Emergency situations that may require first aid can occur anytime, anyplace. The American Red Cross First Aid App is an important tool everyone can download to their mobile device,  giving instant access to information on how to handle the most common  first aid situations.

The content is available in English and Spanish

Up to 25% of children suffer from sleep problems

Children  may have trouble settling down at the end of the day, falling asleep,  staying asleep, and waking too early. These issues are known as  "insomnia”.

Children need to sleep well

When  children get adequate sleep, their quality of life improves around the  clock - better behaviour, better mood, and better school performance! A  better night’s sleep can result in improved health and well-being for  the entire family.

Few children receive treatment for sleep problems

Those  who do may receive inappropriate treatment such as medication, which  may have side effects. Very few children receive behavioural treatment  options, which are proven to work. Parents may not have the time or  resources to access these treatments, and many health care providers do  not have the training to provide these treatments.

A team of psychologists, nurses and physicians - many of them parents themselves - developed the Better Nights, Better Days program and will be measuring its success

The  program is based on behavioural principles - increasing and encouraging  positive behaviours that will help children learn to settle down more  quickly at bedtime and achieve a better quality of sleep throughout the  night.

Watching your child hurt themselves is one of the most difficult things to witness. Are you a parent or caregiver of a Child with Self Injurious Behaviours? Do you sometimes feel alone on this journey? Would you like to meet other families like you? At FSI we would like to bring parents in this unique situation together for support, empathy, understanding, and brainstorming some workable strategies. There may be tears or emotions that will surface for some of us but this will be a safe and confidential space for the families on a similar journey. We are better together.

Family Support Institute of BC (FSI) is a provincial not-for-profit society committed to supporting families who have a family member with a disability.

FSI is unique in Canada and the only grassroots family to family organization that has a broad volunteer base.

FSI SUPPORTS AND SERVICES ARE FREE TO ANY FAMILY

What is Self-Injurious Behaviour (SIB)?

Self-Injurious behaviour can be defined as: self-directed injury that is non-suicidal in nature and causes physical trauma. These isolating behaviours may affect children with intellectual impairment, autism or other forms of neurodiversity. SIB is a multifaceted behaviour that is difficult to understand and treat as the diagnosis varies across individuals. Currently, proper evidence-based care does not exist, so it can be extremely challenging to care for children with severe SIB.

Are you a parent/primary caregiver of a person with Self Injurious Behaviours? Are you passionate about taking your learning to the next level? As a parent/primary caregiver do you want to learn more on how to support yourself and your child? We are bringing to you a unique 6-part series to learn and explore ways to support families and their children. These six sessions are meant to promote education around severe SIB, to create a supportive SIB community, as well as to advocate for better health outcomes.

Perspectives on Complex Behaviours: Understanding and Supporting Children with Self-Injurious Behaviours

Complex  behaviours, including severe Self-Injurious Behaviours (SIB), in  children with developmental disabilities can be challenging to manage  and support. Medical professionals typically do not have much experience  with severe SIB, and families can struggle to find adequate resources  and specialists to help. In this series of interviews, we explore the  perspectives of a parent, a pediatrician, and a behaviour analyst who  are all connected to the Self-Injurious Clinic at BC Women and Children’s Hospital and the Family Support Institute of BC in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Self-Injurious Behaviours in Children: Advice for Doctors from a Doctor

Few  medical professionals have experience with patients with complex  behaviours like Self-Injurious Behaviours (SIB). This video features  advice for paediatricians from Dr Anamaria Richardson, a paediatrician  attached to the groundbreaking Self-Injurious Behaviours Clinic at BC  Children's Hospital. She, a parent, and a behavioural specialist all  share their experiences with SIB and how proper support can improve the  lives of patients and their families.