Sex and relationships is a hot topic in youth work at the moment, and rightly so when we see the mixed messages, confusing feelings and myriad questions that young people are dealing with every day. But for young people with additional needs this topic is often one that is considered to be irrelevant for them, … Continue reading Sex and Relationships: Young People with Special/Additional Needs
It’s been quite a year! As we sat around the meeting table yesterday for yet another ‘Child In Need’ review meeting, it was almost impossible to believe the progress that James has made in the past 12 months. Stories flowed from social worker’s, school staff, CAMHS team members… all thrilled at how things had changed… … Continue reading Who Would Have Believed This? What A Difference A Year Makes!
For parents of children with special/additional needs there is often so much negativity, so much that is hard, so much that makes us want to curl up in a ball and cry. Two years ago, James had his first recorded epileptic event, adding a new chapter to his journey that already included chapters called ‘Autism’ … Continue reading Our Awesome, Amazing, Actually Autistic Boy!
This question was recently asked by an eight-year-old autistic boy to his parents; it's a hard question to answer and the response that follows may not fit well with everyone, but then we are a diverse people so that is to be expected; so, here we go! Made in God’s image? Maybe a good starting … Continue reading A Child Asks, “Did God Make Me With Autism?”
I don’t know about you, but I passionately believe in free speech. I strongly feel that it is one of our most important rights, and it is one that I would willingly go to the barricades to defend, but when does discussion, debate, and even downright argument spill over into something much more sinister? And … Continue reading Are You Being Silenced As A Special Needs Parent?
What defines us? Where is our identity to be found? Big questions, and for each person the answer is likely to be different. What about our children, what defines them and is the key identifier in their life? As parents we might have different ideas about this too, especially if our children have additional needs … Continue reading Is My Child’s Identity Defined By His Disability?
Around 20% of children and young people have long-term additional needs or disabilities of some kind. That’s about 2.5 million in the UK alone. Many of them, and their families, feel excluded from a wide range of social activities, so how can we reach out to, and meet, the needs of these children and their … Continue reading Accessible? Inclusive? Belonging For All? What About You?
To the mother of our special needs child, my wife… It’s not your fault… It’s not your fault that our child is Autistic. It’s not your fault that he has Learning Difficulties and struggles to communicate effectively. It’s not your fault that James has Epilepsy. None of these things are your fault, or mine; they … Continue reading “It’s Not Your Fault…” A Letter To The Mother Of Our Special Needs Child
Hidden: (adjective) kept out of sight; concealed. (verb) past of ‘hide’ We frequently encounter the term ‘hidden disabilities’; it is in widespread use across the media, throughout society, within many of the various disability communities. In general, most people have a view on what they think it means; they will refer to it as relating to disabilities … Continue reading Seeking The Truth About ‘Hidden’ Disabilities
Parents of children with special needs experience many highs and lows along their parenting journey, but what are the secrets? What never gets mentioned, what never gets talked about, what always gets hidden; what are the confessions of a special needs parent? Well, it’s time for that to change, time shine a light on the … Continue reading Confessions Of A Special Needs Parent
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 