Accountability: the number one change you would like
In January, we ran a giveaway for a copy of Disabled children, A Legal Handbook. Congratulations to Lisa Thomas who won the copy. When people entered the giveaway, we also …
Author: Debs Aspland
Life Skills – are children with VI missing out?
This week has seen Blind Children UK raising awareness of the lack of “habilitation” services (to help with life skills) for children with Visual Impairment. Habilitation training covers many aspects …
Tests: Do you and your child find them testing?
It’s that time of the term again here in the Aspland household. Tests! One week every term is handed over to testing what my children know. Now, I am not …
£80 million to boost support for Special Educational Needs
On Friday, the Department for Education (DfE) announced that £80 million was to be made available to extend opportunities to children with special educational needs and disabilities. The announcement stated: A …
SNJ Review: Disabled Children – a Legal Handbook
At the end of last year, there was much excitement in the world of SEND when the second edition of the Disabled Children – a legal handbook was published. For …
How did my Goals for 2015 go?
Last January, I wrote about my six goals for families in the Jungle in 2015. They were quite straight forward and I was hopeful that I could reach those goals …
What DO you buy for a child with a visual impairment at Christmas
I love Christmas – I really am one of those annoying people who gets into the festive spirit with huge gusto. Sorry. However, the one thing that gets to me …
It’s all about Sight this week.
This week is a big week in the world of visual impairment. This week sees the “Let’s Glow” week for Guide Dogs UK and on Thursday 8th October, it is World …
What’s missing in the Special Needs Jungle
We have a sizeable following on Special Needs Jungle both on the site and via social media. However that also gives us a big responsibility to tell it like it …
The trials and tribulations of SEN transport
Yes, it’s that time of year again. Our children are returning to school and we often get the joy of new transport providers. Now, as I have said previously when …
When families ask for RESPECT, what do they mean?
Parent carers often emphasise what they’d like to have more ‘respect’ from practitioners and service providers. But what does that actually mean? For some, that may mean referring to us …
Ever thought about setting up your own Free School?
I am sure many of you, at one time or another, have considered setting up your own school. Maybe you have had problems finding a school that could meet the …
Changing to an EHC Plan? Time frames are changing.
A few weeks ago, we posted about what to expect when transferring from a Statement to an EHC Plan. In the post, we discussed the confusion over whether there was …
Living with Mr Worry – tips from a mum
Like many families, we have several of the Mr Men in our home. Mr Grumpy, who arrives with my son (and husband) when it’s time to wake up every morning; Mr …
It’s Learning Disability week, let’s talk about the negative people we meet in the LD world
As you enter the Special Needs Jungle, you will come across many different types of people; the ones who will help, the ones who will hinder; the ones who make …
SNJ Giveaway: Making speech, language and communication a burning issue
I am delighted to introduce today’s guest post (and giveaway) from Shona Crichton. As a mum of a child with speech, language and communication needs, I love the work of …
Does safeguarding always protect our children?
Today’s guest post is from a mum currently camping out at the paediatric intensive care unit in Southampton. Not a home any of us want but what if this was a visit …
4000 and counting: Did you have a satisfactory EHC plan issued last year?
Last week, the Department for Education released its Statistical First Release – Statements and EHC Plans. This statistical first release (SFR) publishes data from the annual SEN2 data return, which …
What does Participation look like? A Circle or a Ladder?
As I sat scrolling through Twitter a few weeks ago, I came across a conversation that set me thinking. Kath Evans (Head of Patient Experience at NHS England) was asking …
Air travel with children who need special assistance
If you have ever entered an airport with any child, let alone one with special needs, you will know the stress and anxiety the whole experience can bring. One bad …