Why my son with autism has enriched my life, not ruined it
The other day we posted an article link on to our Facebook page from The Guardian, featuring a letter from a Dad to his child who has autism. It was a …
Category: parenting
SEND reforms: Why working with parents means taking a walk in our shoes.
The new SEND system places an emphasis on teachers working hand in hand with parents as part of “Team My Child”. However, this may be easier to say than to …
Ten Benefits of Pets for Children with SEND
I have very fond memories of spending hours in our small sunny back garden as a child. Often the games would involved digging patches of dirt, playing hide and seek …
What three beneficial qualities should you encourage in children?
I was wondering what to write the other day when I got my weekly digest email from one of my favourite sites, the fascinating question and answer site, Quora. It’s …
Did you really just say that? The ignorant words SEND parents hear far too often
As a mum of children with special needs, I know I have walked out of meetings and thought, “Seriously? did I hear that correctly?” But I know that you often …
Teaching teachers and parents about social media safety
This post isn’t specifically about special needs, but it’s for all teachers and parents everywhere to help you stay safe on social media. Yes, not your kids. You. My day …
No sleep, no school, need suggestions!
As you know, SNJ is a parent-driven site and we share your challenges of raising children and young people with SEN or disabilities. We know from experience the frustrations, anxieties and …
Are you prepared for Adulthood?
Over the last few years, like many parents, we have been focussing on the forthcoming Children and Families Act. We’ve been busy keeping you updated and looking at the implications …
The school that builds hope, self-esteem and futures
The marquee had an extension for Founder’s Day this year. Our first end of summer term Prize Day came in July 2008, (I wrote about one of our early ones here, …
Not warriors, but hopemongers
Warrior Mum ♦Parent Activist ♦ Campaigner These are phrases frequently applied to SEN parents, you might even label yourself this way. I’ve had the titles attached to me over the years, by bloggers, …
Staying sane in special needs parenting: Finding 15 minutes a day to be “just me”
When your family includes a member with special needs or disabilities, there is so little time for you, the parent carer. Almost none. Of course, parenting all young children can …
How to build self-esteem in your special needs child
[Tania’s note: We are welcoming Hayley from today as an SNJ co-writer as well as a columnist and we hope all our columnists will be starting to contribute through the …
The Positive Power of Assessment – finding the right route
What is it that is so interesting about children? It seems a simple question. Parents know their own children well – or so they think. Then the child does something …
Getting back to paid work when your child has special needs
Hannah Postgate gave up her career to care for her daughter, Rosy who has special needs. When she wanted to try to find some part-time work, it was so difficult …
The Uniqueness of the SEN Parent
Columnist Hayley Goleniowska writes: Last month, in my first column for Special Needs Jungle we explored the preconceptions that strangers have about our children, how their swift judgements make us …
Exposing quotes that reinforce Down’s syndrome myths: The Truth
And now for a bit of mutual admiration as we introduce our third new columnist. We love the DownsSideUp blog by Hayley Goleniowski, and when we were thinking about who …
A Parenting Course? How dare you!
‘There are parenting courses available’…The words slipping from the lips of a well-meaning practitioner may fill you with anger, shock, surprise or even outrage. Why on earth would they suggest …
No change please! ASD Youngest and the hair tong dilemma: Can you decide?
Tania writes: Yesterday it was my birthday and I was very pleased to receive some wave-making hair tongs to bring a spot of variety to my poker-straight locks. I gave …
Catch your kids being good with help from Maya Angelou
Tania writes: “Catch them being good” is the oft-repeated advice to help encourage positive behaviour in children. And it’s good advice. But when your child has a behavioural disorder such …
Dr Tony Attwood’s views on Asperger’s and girls
Tania writes: I was recently lucky enough to attend a conference given by both the world-renowned expert in Asperger Syndrome, Dr Tony Attwood and Dr Carol Gray, the inventor of …