What now for Asperger’s?
There’s been a lot of talk about the re-classification of Asperger’s Syndrome in the new US DSM-V Manual of Mental Disorders – in other words it’s bee ‘abolished’ in its …
Son1 is 15 today-and proof that the right support can work miracles
Today is the International Day for Persons With Disabilities, which will be marked worldwide. It’s also Son1’s 15th birthday and I would like, today, to offer a message of hope …
Pathfinders, politics and parental co-production
Last Friday, our parent-carer forum in Surrey, Family Voice joined with Surrey LA and local voluntary and community services to host an SEN reform pathfinder update. Surrey is one of …
SEN Minister offers assurances to parents over Bill wording
I’m sharing this information received from the Council for Disabled Children which I hope you’ll find interesting. ******** Edward Timpson, the Minister responsible for SEN and Disability within the …
Speech Therapy to stay within educational provision – so said the man from the DfE
One question on many lips in the reform to the special educational needs system is, with the inclusion of health in an EHCP, where will speech and language provision end …
Charlotte’s amazing brain – a heartfelt story about childhood stroke
I happened upon a new blog via Twitter the other day, which told a powerful and emotional story about a young girl who suffered childhood stroke, was close to death, …
Keep Us Close – Scope’s campaign for better local disability services
The charity, Scope, which works to help children and families affected by disabilities, is currently campaigning for improvements to the Children and Families bill, which if you re a regular …
Can you help with Pathological Demand Avoidance Research?
I was checking the most frequently used search terms that brought people to my site the other day and one of the top ones was “Pathological Demand Avoidance” I ran …
Common sense prevails with more time to test the SEN reform proposals
Education Minister, Edward Timpson, has, it seems, listened to the concerns that so many, including Special Needs Jungle, have voiced – that the pace of SEN reform is too fast …
The Brain Injury Hub – a brilliant resource
As part of Family Voice Surrey, I have visited The Children’s Trust in Tadworth a number of times as they kindly lend us a room for our meetings. The Children’s …
10 Tips for Developing Your Child’s Language Skills
I recently met Vanessa King, when she joined our Women in Business Network group in Farnham. Vanessa is a qualified teacher, parent, toastmaster and an expert in teaching confident speaking …
SEN Reforms: professional views to the select committee
The Education Select Committee yesterday heard from various witnesses about the draft legislation on Special Education Needs. Over two and a half hours, professionals gave their views about the draft …
Beech Lodge: A new school offering a practical approach to learning
For some children, a mainstream school setting can be overwhelming, particularly if they have learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia or find it otherwise difficult to learn in the same …
Parents on the Warpath…and other stories
It’s been a difficult week for many parents at our school, who have discovered that our LA doesn’t want to pay our statemented sons’ school fees, because there has been …
Stop the DLA Takeaway campaign – your help needed
Stop the DLA Takeaway campaign – Contact a Family and The Children’s Trust need your help The Children’s Trust, Tadworth and Contact a Family would like to hear from parents …
When SEN Tribunal looms, seek legal advice
Many parents find themselves in the position, as they try to secure a statement for their child with special needs, of having to go to Tribunal when they cannot reach …
It’s Dyspraxia Awareness Week – be alert for early signs
The Dyspraxia Foundation is calling on families to be alert to the early signs of the condition in their awareness week campaign from 14th – 20th October 2012. Chair of …
The Special Needs Jungle Story Selection
The Special Needs Jungle weekly news review is back! It was supposed to be away for just a week while I was in Sweden but last Friday I was just …
Deadline day for SEN select committee consultation – some views
Today is the deadline for the Education Select Committee’s call for responses to the draft SEN bill. I’ve seen a number of responses so far. Some are concerned about the …