A baby’s diagnosis of SMA often comes as a big shock. Some of the most common reactions include:

• Distress and disbelief
• Fear and anxiety
• Sadness and upset
• Anger and frustration

There is no ‘right or wrong’ way to feel. People can experience different combinations of these emotions at different times, as well as having other reactions – for example different levels of acceptance, hope, and expectations for the future. Whatever you are feeling, it is  important to know that as well as your family and friends, there are other people you can turn to for support at any time (see below).

A member of your child’s clinical team will meet with you to discuss what care your child will need, and possible treatment options. It is important that you feel that the emotional impact on you and your child of their diagnosis, along with your understandable protectiveness towards them, is acknowledged and addressed.

Taking in and understanding what this diagnosis means will seem overwhelming. There is a lot to take in at a time when concentrating and remembering what you have heard can be very challenging.  If possible, it may be helpful to have both parents / carers, or a family member or close friend, there as well to hear what is said. This can also help with asking as many questions as many times as you need, and to have someone else there to talk things through with afterwards.

Before your meeting it may be useful to write down any questions you would like to ask. One of you could write notes for you to look over and talk through later.

During your discussions you will be made aware of the importance of starting any disease-modifying treatment as quickly as possible. This is because the earlier treatment is started, the greater the effect of the drug is expected to be. Having to make a decision about treatment options can feel very pressured.

Some people want to do their own research into the condition, including through internet searches and on social media. While there is a lot out there that can be helpful, it is worth remembering that no two families have the same personal circumstances, and no two children are the same in terms of the impact of their SMA and responses to any chosen treatment options.

There is also lots of outdated and mis-information out there, so it is better to try and find information from reputable sources.  These are ones  that have quality healthcare marks on them such as the SMA website which has a trusted information creator status shown by the Patient Information Forum TICK.

The clinician who has given you your baby’s diagnosis should answer any immediate questions you have. They will be very aware how pressured making decisions about treatment can feel. They will support you to think about options and listen to and answer and concerns you have.

They should also offer you support from the wider clinical team. You should be able to discuss any fears and anxieties you have openly with your baby’s team.

Over time, you may also be offered support from other health and social care professionals. This could include:

• Your baby’s Neuromuscular Care Advisor (NMA)
• Your baby’s nurse / physiotherapist
• A counsellor / psychologist

In some areas you may be offered support from the Palliative Care Team. This is often associated with end-of-life care. Though this is one aspect, unless needed it is not a focus for these services. Palliative care includes providing information and practical support, the management of symptoms, and the provision of short breaks from caring. The overall aim is to achieve the best quality of life for your child, whichever medical options you may choose.

You can read more about the different sorts of health and social care professionals who may be involved in your baby’s care in our information sheet, ‘Who’s Who of Professionals’.

We have an experienced Support & Outreach Team who work UK-wide to support anyone affected by SMA. The team offers emotional support, practical advice and guidance, and is here to listen – whether at diagnosis or beyond. This free, confidential service is for any family member / carer affected by SMA.

The team can be in contact by email, phone, text or virtual meetings (such as on Zoom or Microsoft Teams). They are also able to visit you at home, if that is something you would find helpful.

Find out more and get in touch with our Community Support Team.

You may have concerns about how this diagnosis and the care your child may need will affect your immediate and extended family. It may be hard to know how to talk to your family about what the diagnosis means. They may, in turn, have concerns or questions about how SMA might affect them and their children. Your child’s clinical team should be able to help with this.

Your family and friends will want to know how best they can support you, but sometimes it can be difficult for them to know what to do or say. If you are comfortable doing so, talking with them about your child’s diagnosis might help. There may also be practical things they might be able to do (see more below).

Our information for family members and friends here may also be helpful.

You may have your own religious leader or community you can turn to who will give you support.

A spiritual care team or chaplaincy service should also be available at most hospitals. These professionals are trained to talk about emotional and personal wellbeing. They will talk to anyone, no matter their beliefs, religion, or cultural identity. They will also be able to tell you about services which are local to you.

You may wish to speak to other parents / carers whose babies have SMA and have been through the diagnosis journey. You can speak to our Support & Outreach Team more about this and they may be able to connect you with another family.

Or

When the time is right, you (and others in your family) may be interested in joining one or more of our Community WhatsApp Networks – these are for those affected by SMA to connect with others, share experiences and ask questions.

Some people find it helpful to talk about their feelings and how they are managing day-to-day, with an independent, trained professional. It can be an opportunity to express feelings you may not have wanted to say out loud to your partner, or anyone in your family or friendship group:

Free Talking Therapy Services:

• England:

For those aged 18+ you can access free NHS Talking Therapies (formally known as IAPT – Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) for anxiety and depression. You can either refer yourself directly without a referral from a GP, or a GP can refer you (either way, you need to be registered with a GP to get talking therapies on the NHS).

Find out more >

• Scotland:

NHS Scotland offers ‘Living Life’ – free phone support sessions (for those aged 16+) using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) based techniques. You can refer yourself for an assessment by phoning 0800 328 9655.

Find out more >

• Wales:

People aged 16 and over can sign up for a free 12-week course of online therapy called ‘SilverCloud’. This uses methods like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help people manage any challenges they are facing.

Find out more >

• Northern Ireland:

Referrals for any talking therapies must go through your GP.

Find out more >

Private counselling

If you think counselling would be helpful for you and it is an affordable options, you could consider seeing a local private counsellor. These organisations can help you find one:

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) – guidance on counselling and how to find a suitable counsellor. Phone: 01455 883 300.

Counselling Directory – online information about different types of counselling and a directory to search for qualified counsellors.

As well as the support from your baby’s medical team, you may find our ‘Looking After’ guides helpful. These talk about the practical side of caring for a child who has 5q SMA. They have been written with both parents / carers of children who have SMA and expert healthcare professionals.

As there is great variation in how children are individually impacted by SMA (and, if they are receiving drug treatment, how they are responding and developing), you may find that only some of the information is relevant for your baby. Your clinician can help guide you:

• SMA Type 1 – Looking after your child who has had a recent diagnosis >
• SMA Type 2 – Looking after your child who has had a recent diagnosis >

We have information about other rarer forms of SMA on our website here but regret that as these conditions are very rare, we do not have specific ‘Looking After’ guides for them. If your child has recently been diagnosed with a rarer form of SMA, then our Support & Outreach Team is here if you have any questions or would like to talk things through.

Looking after yourself and taking time to do so is really important – both mentally and physically. This will enable you to look after your child in the best possible way. This might include:

• getting rest
• taking breaks
• eating well
• getting out and about to see people, or spending time outside in green spaces such as a local park

To help with this, you could let family members and friends help with practical things like shopping, cleaning or other household needs.

You may find certain things helpful in managing your thoughts and feelings, such as exercising or listening to music. You may find some of the guides tools and activities signposted on the NHS website  helpful.

You may also find you need private space from time to time. This could include to express anger in a healthy way to vent feelings, such as by shouting, screaming, or crying.

You may find it helpful to have contact with:

Contact: Phone: 0808 808 3555 – information and support for families who have a disabled child.

Scope: offer advice for managing the emotional impact of your child’s diagnosis.

WellChild Nurses: care for children and young people with a variety of long term or complex health conditions. As a specialist network they provide a valuable, seamless, co-ordinated and high-quality model of care both in hospital and the community. They are employed by NHS Trusts. You may be introduced to one by your clinical team.

Home Start:  Phone: 0116 464 5490 – depending on services in your area, volunteers may be able to offer friendship and practical help to families going through difficult times and those affected by disability. Parents can refer themselves for services or a referral can be made through a midwife, GP, social worker or health visitor

Some babies and children diagnosed with SMA may be very unwell. In these circumstances, families may find these support organisations helpful:

Together for Short Lives – Phone: 0800 808 8100 – information and support to families who have a child with a life-limiting condition. They will be able to tell you about hospice and other services in your area.

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity – Phone: 01372 363 438 – emotional and practical support to families who have a seriously ill child. You will need to see if services are available in your area.