As we remember the nativity story it might be hard to imagine how this familiar scene can bring good news to children with additional needs and their families. Here’s eight reasons why we should think differently though…
Tag: acceptance
Being An Additional Needs ‘Grizzly Bear’ Parent
Most of the time, as parents of a child with additional needs, things work as they should. That doesn’t happen by accident, it takes a huge amount of planning and energy to ensure that everything goes smoothly, but to an unknowing onlooker everything looks under control, relatively calm, generally successful, like watching a grizzly bear … Continue reading Being An Additional Needs ‘Grizzly Bear’ Parent
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Just Keep Swimming… Supporting Children And Young People With Additional Needs
Can you swim? When did you learn? Were you inspired by watching one of the Olympic greats winning a clutch of medals at an Olympic Games, maybe smashing a World Record or two on the way? Rebecca Adlington and Adam Peaty When you started to swim, taking those first, tentative steps into the water, could … Continue reading Just Keep Swimming… Supporting Children And Young People With Additional Needs
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The Neurodiverse Coke Can
As he walks through the front door, his parent asks him “Did you have a good day at school today, Jack?” and in doing so metaphorically pulls the ‘ring pull’ on the coke can that has been shaken all day… Boom! Jack erupts, and his parent wonders why this always happens at home and not at school…
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Five Ways To Support Additional Needs Siblings, An Often Overlooked Group
This blog post is written by Mark Arnold’s daughter, Phoebe, who shares her experience of growing up as an additional needs sibling to her brother, James, as well as offering learnings for us all…Growing up I didn't often see a family unit similar to my own; from a young age I was a carer for … Continue reading Five Ways To Support Additional Needs Siblings, An Often Overlooked Group
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Additional Needs Summer Holiday Reading
It’s holiday season! That time when we either pack up our stuff and head somewhere for a week or two, or maybe have a ‘staycation’ and relax a bit locally. Either way, a popular item in our collection of things for the holidays is our reading list; some great books that will entertain, delight, scare … Continue reading Additional Needs Summer Holiday Reading
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Seven Ways Holiday Club Can Help You Be More Inclusive
Are you planning a holiday club for this summer? Many churches will be running one for the first time since the pandemic started and if that’s your church too then you’ve got a golden opportunity to use your holiday club as a way to become more inclusive of children and young people with additional needs. … Continue reading Seven Ways Holiday Club Can Help You Be More Inclusive
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How Children With Additional Needs Are Like Different Ice Creams!
Nothing says ‘summer’ more than ice cream. Just hearing the distinctive tones of the ice cream van evokes memories of sunny days, long holidays, relaxing in the garden, the park, or at the beach!We have an ice cream van that regularly visits our street, and a recent visit got me thinking about how our children … Continue reading How Children With Additional Needs Are Like Different Ice Creams!
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Bad Language?
I recently asked a whole bunch of parents of disabled children, and disabled people themselves, what they think of as some of the most inappropriate or downright offensive language that they have heard or experienced as a result of their own or their child’s disability. The result was a huge discussion that produced a massive … Continue reading Bad Language?
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10 Top Tips For A Successful Summer Holiday!
Whisper it very quietly, but maybe, just maybe, it might be possible to have a holiday this year! After over two long years of restrictions, lockdowns, red-lists, cancellations and reschedules, this summer might be the one where some sense of holiday ‘normality’ returns!So, what do we need to do to prepare our additional needs children … Continue reading 10 Top Tips For A Successful Summer Holiday!
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