We are all sensory creatures, exploring, understanding, and engaging with the world through all our many senses. This is just as true for someone who may have additional (special) needs as it is for anyone else.Sometimes we can be under-responsive (or hypo-sensitive) to sensory inputs, sometimes we can be over-responsive (or hyper-sensitive) to sensory inputs. … Continue reading How Happy Haircuts Happen!
Guest post from Andrew Stranack, who argues that society’s continued marginalisation of disabled people means that we are missing out on a valuable talent pool. This article was originally published by Theos Think Tank on 10th March 2022, republished by kind permission, and with thanks from The Additional Needs Blogfather. One of the most inspiring articles … Continue reading Embracing a valuable talent pool: the barriers and gifts of living with a disability
Ukraine burns as the world watches on in horror. Many Ukrainians are escaping to neighbouring countries or relatively ‘safe’ parts of western Ukraine, but many millions are trapped in the living hell of cities being constantly shelled and bombed by the Russian military. As always, those who suffer most in conflict zones, whether through the … Continue reading The Toll Of War On Ukraine’s Disabled Children
Little by little the days are getting long, lighter, maybe even warmer… Green shoots are pushing up through the earth and there are the first flowers of the year, snowdrops and crocuses dazzling us with their beauty. Spring is coming! Crocuses and daisies on a grass field If, like me, you find winter especially hard, … Continue reading Spring Is Coming: 10 Ideas To Get Out And Enjoy It!
There are many characters in the Bible that we might, wrongly perhaps, skip over as not being particularly important; they don’t come across as heroes like Samson or Esther, they aren’t great Kings like David or Solomon, they weren’t vital to the life and story of Jesus like Mary. But some of these often-overlooked characters … Continue reading Mephibosheth – Lost And Found, Hurt And Helped
A book to help children’s, youth, and families’ workers, as well as families themselves, to understand more about Autism, how to identify and remove the barriers that Autistic children and young people can often experience in church, and how together we can create inclusion, belonging, and spiritual development for all. The journey of writing this … Continue reading My New Book: ‘How To Include Autistic Children And Young People in Church’
(A guest post from my good friend Lydia Gibson...)I’m sure many, like me, can really relate to the character Luisa in Encanto. Her song has been going round and round in my head for days now (mostly because my 9-year-old is obsessed with the film at the moment!) I have been really struck by the … Continue reading Encanto: What Does Luisa’s Song Teach Us About Mental Health?
Something a little more unusual in this blog post as we’re going to be exploring how Artificial Intelligence can be a tool that we can use to help and support people, of any age with additional needs or disabilities, in our churches. A few years ago, the former UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, said…“Technology has changed … Continue reading Artificial Intelligence ‘AI’ And Additional Needs
A lot of things have changed for James over the past six months. He had his 19th Birthday in June, and since then we have been working through many transitions from children’s services to adult services. Different teams, different styles, different locations, lots of changes. David Bowie might have written a song about it… This … Continue reading The Tooth Fairy Is Real, And Her Name Is Sarah…
I don’t know about you, but I've tried to keep the festive season going as long as possible, hanging on to the Christmas tree until the last needle had dropped and stretching out the leftover food in as many creative ways as possible. I’m always the last in our street to be taking the plethora … Continue reading 12 New Year Resolutions For Inclusive Children’s And Youth Work
Delightful Handmade Dog Products and Gifts
An additional needs Dad and Son baking adventure...
Special Education Teaching Resources, Sensory Stories and SEND Information
The Additional Needs Blogfather 