Heidi’s Down’s syndrome abortion case: It’s complicated
with input from Colette Lloyd Why have we called this article, “it’s complicated’? Because it is completely understandable that a great many women do not want any further restrictions on …
Category: learning disability
Ambitious and inclusive sensory story-telling
About a decade ago an impossible dream of mine came true. Special Needs Jungle was a part of that happening, but where that dream began is hard to pin point. …
Introducing Oak National Academy’s new online specialist curriculum
It’s been an academic year like no other, but I think we can all agree that teachers and families have done an exceptional job supporting children during school closures. With …
Myth-Busting the ‘magic’ of multiple multi-sensory rooms
Tania’s note: as many of you know, Joanna Grace is a Sensory Engagement and Inclusion Specialist, (normally) running training events throughout the UK, and occasionally further afield. In 2010 she …
Observing many ‘nows’ to infer a choice, for people with profound learning disabilities
Here is a situation you will probably have encountered: an adult holds out two toys to a child, asking, “Which do you want to play with?” The child indicates one …
Measure for measure: how do we judge the quality of a life?
The Bake-Off contestants race to uncover today’s technical challenge. In their haste, one contender reads the instruction to add two teaspoons of salt as two tablespoons and the resulting cake …
Sensory toys don’t work on their own.
Suppose I told you I was going to teach your child maths, and then I dumped a load of maths resources on the floor: protractors, bricks, calculators, even an old …
The SEND Jungle 2018: The year parents roared
It’s been an incredible year in the SEND world, but not because the system has started to work better, or because families are routinely at the centre of decision-making. It’s …
Are Teaching Assistants bad for children with SEND?
I often hear that, “Research says that Teaching Assistants (TAs) are bad for children, so we don’t do them here” in response to parental queries regarding support at school. The …
SEND, support staff and challenging behaviour in schools.
You may remember that we had Tess Philbert on the site not so long ago, talking about person-centred planning. Tess is a parental supporter for SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disability Information …
Parents of children with learning disabilities lonely, distressed and under pressure
It can be hard to cope with having a child with a disability. It can be particularly hard on relationships. A report out today has found that one in three …
Using Minecraft to engage children with science learning
Minecraft is beloved of thousands of teens and pre-teens across the country, but it seems to have a particular fascination for young people who have Asperger’s and similar conditions. The …
Talking about alcohol with your special needs teen
My boys are both at the age where they are discovering many aspects of adult life, including alcohol. They now go to parties on occasion and want to be like their …
Can you help harness parental knowledge about genetic intellectual disability?
When I was at the Cambridge Rare Disease Network Summit the other week, I saw a very interesting presentation that has something of interest for every family of a child …
A very special Learning Disability Nurse asks: Who Do You See?
Helen Laverty is one of those women you thank your lucky stars to have in your life. She is a compassionate Learning Disability nurse, a dedicated professional lead in learning …
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 …
Stress-free Holiday Tips: Planning travel with special needs children
It’s that time of year when Christmas seems a distant expensive memory and the days are temptingly beginning to draw out. Yet we still have months of damp and cold …
Mrboosmum on the Inquiry into Childcare for Disabled Children
**Tania’s note** The writer alternatively known as Mrboosmum has kindly provided us with this Friday’s column The Launch of the Report of the Parliamentary Inquiry into Childcare for Disabled Children. With …
Mencap celebrate firsts for Learning Disability Week
Each year, the charity Mencap ask us all to join together for Learning Disability Week; a time to share information, campaign together, and celebrate achievements. This year is no exception, and …