A teacher and SEND parents ask: is inclusion working in schools?
Tania’s note: Nancy Gedge is back with her views on the thorny subject of inclusion in schools for children with SEN. As both a teacher and a parent of a child …
Category: Guest Posts
Best Practice: a parent’s view of a good EHCP Transition experience
Many families have not had a great experience so far with the transition of their child from a Statement to an EHCP and have also faced difficulties in finding the …
Selective Mutism: When anxiety shuts down the power to speak
The days are slipping by so quickly that we’re already into October half-term and three quarters of the way through the awareness month for Selective Mutism called ‘Make a Noise for …
The what, when and how of Independent Support for the EHCP process
We haven’t carried an article about Independent Support for a while and now we have one today and another coming up soon! Independent Supporters have the role of helping parents …
Plain and Simple – Personal Budgets are about having control
Today, we are really delighted to have a guest post from Nic Crosby from In-Control. Personal Budgets are something many of us have heard about, a few of us have been …
Why childhood eye tests can be the key to discovering special educational needs
Around a fifth of young people with sight loss also have additional special educational needs or disabilities, and a further 30% have complex needs. This is according to research by …
SEND reforms: Transformation or Missed Opportunity?
A research paper discussing the 2014 special educational needs reforms in England, has raised serious questions about the legislation’s ability to improve inclusion and equality for those it was designed to help. In …
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 …
Six top tips for using – and managing – your SEND Local Offer
Have you checked our your area’s Local Offer website recently? Some look pretty good, while some are definitely still a work in progress. They are supposed to list all the …
Why SEND department targets mean ‘culture change’ reform may never happen
Today’s guest post, from father of two deaf sons, Matt Keer, may shock you. It may, as it did to me, bring you to the edge of angry tears. It’s like …
Sensory processing in autism: research developments
Today we have a guest post from Dr Cathy Manning who is conducting research into the way children with autism see the world around them and how sensory processing can …
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 …
All about The Challenging Behaviour Foundation
Challenging Behaviour. As parents, we’ve all experienced it at one time or another and as children we’ve probably exhibited some as well. It’s part of growing up. But for some …
The holiday farm that’s accessible for everyone whatever your disability
The Papworth Trust helps to support people with disabilities live their lives to the full. Today we’re helping them tell everyone that their accessible holiday farm, Kerry Farm in West …
Join Kathryn’s campaign for early years childcare choices for families with disabled children
We ran a guest post from MrBoosMum a little while ago about the the launch of the Report of the Parliamentary Inquiry into Childcare for Disabled Children. Parents of children …
Sensory Occupational Therapy for Sensory Processing Disorder
Emily Alexander has a magical secret… she works for Santa at The International Elf Service. She is also a Registered Osteopath and a Mum to a wonderful little boy who has …
Professional pleasantries: Why Jenny thinks complaining can sometimes be counter-productive
One of the great things about having Special Needs Jungle for me, is getting to meet other women who also happen to have children with special needs. One such laydee …
Life with a rare facial difference: Kaddy’s story of living with Apert syndrome
I’ve recently been helping a new rare disease organisation get off the ground. Elijah’s Hope was already helping families who have children with disabilities in the South West of England. …
Childhood acquired brain injury- Would you know if your child was affected?
We often talk about “invisible disability”, when someone’s impairments are not visible just by looking. It affects those with higher-functioning autism conditions and other neurological issues as well as people …