There are over a thousand articles on this site. You can browse them all below, organised by month and year, or use the search box to find something specific.
Search for it
SNJ Posts 2008-Today
Spoiler title
- Innovative use of student specialists has revolutionised our schools’ SEND therapy and cut assessment waits to just 10 daysby Conrad Bourne, Mercia Trust Our post earlier this year, ‘No specialists = no support’ highlighted a severe shortfall in…Continue reading »
- Is the Government rationing EHC plans?MPs on the House of Commons Education Select Committee invited the Children’s Minister, Claire Coutinho, in for a chat this…Continue reading »
- How well is the Government respecting children with SEND’s right to education?The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (UN Committee) is this year examining the UK on its obligations…Continue reading »
- SNJ in Conversation with Carrie Grant: Supporting children at the intersection of SEND, Race and Gender Identitywith Carrie Grant and Renata Blower Carrie Grant is a well-known figure for her work on TV and as a…Continue reading »
- Webinar Recording: “We’re not even testing mandatory mediation” SEND Minister, Claire Coutinho answers your questionsOn Tuesday 2nd May, we were joined by Claire Coutinho, Education Minister with responsibility for SEND to discuss the SEND…Continue reading »
- Neurodiversity and Ableism – a young person’s perspectiveWith Kyle Thapar Kyle Thapar is a young teen who attends a mainstream provision. As he is neurodivergent, Kyle recently…Continue reading »
- How will the Government’s new NPQ SENCO qualification improve SEND provision?A school’s commitment to inclusion can easily be measured in three core ways: whether the SENCO is given the time…Continue reading »
- Restricting autism assessment? Not on our watch, say Bristol parents, as they launch legal actionwith Fiona Castle, Assess for Autism, Bristol The below quote from a new NHS autism Framework document illustrates everything about…Continue reading »
- SNJ WEBINAR: SEND Minister Claire Coutinho discusses the SEND Improvement Plan. Register now!We have another fabulous webinar lined up for you — with Education Minister, Claire Coutinho, who has responsibility for SEND.…Continue reading »
- When mental health prevents school attendance: Guidance summaryThe DfE has recently published a new document, ‘Summary of responsibilities where a mental health issue is affecting attendance’. Sensible,…Continue reading »
- Better co-production is crucial for improving SEND provision. But are the Government’s plans a case of magical thinking?‘Critically, we agree with what we heard during the consultation: that the national system should be co-produced with families, children…Continue reading »
- How does the Government intend to fund its new SEND Improvement plan?Over the last few weeks, we’ve covered some of the main features of the Department for Education’s (DfE) SEND &…Continue reading »
- Where is the Best Accessible Museum for Children? Vote now!With Alison Bowyer, Executive Director, Kids in Museums Accessibility is crucial when you’re looking for a good day out with…Continue reading »
- Will the SEND and AP Improvement Plan improve the lives of 16-25 year olds with SEND?So, at last we have a SEND and AP Improvement Plan. The big question now is: was it worth the…Continue reading »
- WEBINAR RECORDING: Will the SEND Improvement Plan fix provision for disabled children and young people?On March 15 2023, Special Needs Jungle held a webinar exploring the Department for Education's long-awaited SEND Improvement Plan, something…Continue reading »
- Will non-statutory National Standards improve SEND or just create confusion and more unlawful behaviour?TONIGHT! LIVE WEBINAR: Will the Government’s “SEND Improvement Plan” fix SEND? Register here! The SEND Improvement Plan published by the…Continue reading »
- SNJ in Conversation: SEND law in 2023. Public law barrister, Steve Broach, answers your questionsIt’s back! the first episode of our podcast, SNJ in Conversation is here— and it’s one that you won’t want…Continue reading »
- How does the the SEND Improvement Plan intend to create more accountability?On 2nd March, the Department for Education finally published its plan to improve the SEND and alternative provision system. Over…Continue reading »
- LIVE WEBINAR: Will the Government’s “SEND Improvement Plan” fix SEND? Register here!While we’re still working on written analyses of the Department for Education’s now-landed “SEND Improvement Plan”, we wanted to bring…Continue reading »
- The Government’s SEND Improvement Plan: an initial overviewalso with Matt Keer and Catriona Moore “It is time to deliver a more dignified experience for children and young…Continue reading »
2022
- Join our call for Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, to PAUSE further SEND reform plans and PUBLISH the SEND Review responses now!Christmas is upon us, but we have one more act for this year before we finish. We have decided to…Continue reading »
- The cruelest cuts that jeopardise disabled children’s life chances have become just another day for England’s SEND systemLaycock Primary School is a mainstream community school in the north London borough of Islington. It has a specialist SEN…Continue reading »
- Making Supported Internships work so young people with learning disabilities and autism can thrivewith Julie Pointer, Programme Lead for Children and Young People, NDTi Earlier this year, the Government announced plans, as part…Continue reading »
- SEND Tribunal 2022: With a 3.7% LA success rate, what will it take for the Government to finally understand the law matters?It’s freezing this week in the Keer stats dungeon – but mercifully, an annual set of statistics about the Special…Continue reading »
- Help us help a SEND family this Christmas: Nominate to win an Amazon voucher or (if you can) donate to help more people!++ This giveaway is now closed++ If you nominated, check your email and your spam ++ We’re pushing it for…Continue reading »
- A failure of Children and Families Act implementation does not mean rip it up and start again m’ludsThe Children and Families Act 2014 – a wide-ranging piece of legislation that includes the legal framework for supporting children…Continue reading »
- Parents call on SEND Minister to invest in deaf children missing vital support in schoolswith Juliet, the mum of a profoundly deaf child I've got two deaf children. They've left the SEND system now,…Continue reading »
- School staff need a pay rise, but when LAs don’t pass on government funding, it’s SEND pupils who suffer mostEveryone’s feeling the cost of living crisis right now – and the world of SEND hasn’t been spared. Most children…Continue reading »
- Ofsted: New area SEND inspection framework can be a “catalyst for change”with Kathryn Rudd, Ofsted Senior HMI for SEND As time has gone on Ofsted and CQC’s SEND area inspections have…Continue reading »
- Don’t write us off before we’ve started, say autistic pupils in new campaign to protect rights and fundingWith Megan Horan, Ambitious About Autism A new campaign to stop autistic children and young people being ‘written off’ at…Continue reading »
- Government plans for Level 2 courses leave teenage learners with SEND out in the coldA high proportion of 16–19-year-olds on courses at Level 2 and below have a special need or disability (SEND). So…Continue reading »
- Why children with SEND in penal detention routinely fail to be given educational needs supportThe majority of children who find themselves in penal detention have some form of special educational needs. These needs are…Continue reading »
- Chaos, mistrust, poor inclusion, and no communication: How Kent’s SEND provision has failed its disabled children and their familiesWith Matt Keer Dear God, Kent, how can you fail children and young people with disabilities and their parents so…Continue reading »
- Ofsted and ONS offer further evidence that lack of funding, training and specialists damages children with SENDWith Matt Keer Ofsted has found increasing numbers of primary school children with SEND are being referred to alternative provision,…Continue reading »
- No specialists = No support: The future for children with SEND is bleak without a trained workforce to support themSNJ is among 114 SEND-related organisations and professional bodies calling for urgent action over gaps in the provision of specialist…Continue reading »
- With no ministerial oversight for months, has the SEND Review lost legitimacy? Here’s what needs to happen nowAnother day, another new SEND Minister – although at the time of writing their identity remains a mystery. It’s become…Continue reading »
- SEND parents under surveillance… is your council watching you online?For families of children and young people with SEND, social media is one of the greatest assets we have. It…Continue reading »
- Could the SEND Review’s “big ideas” wither on the vine of political uncertainty?Two Secretaries of State ago, back in the politically distant days of July, the House of Commons Education Select Committee…Continue reading »
- The stark inequalities of social mobility of disabled young adults in EnglandChildhood disability has been conspicuously absent from longstanding social mobility and intergenerational inequality debates. This is partly due to the…Continue reading »
- Is NHS England breaking a promise to roll out eye care for disabled children in all special schools?with Aylee Richmond, National Eye Care Information Officer, SeeAbility A few years ago I woke up with vision loss in…Continue reading »
- “Global wellbeing” is out of reach while children and vulnerable adults are routinely restrained in places of “safety”This year’s World Mental Health Day 2022 theme is to make a global priority of mental health and wellbeing. It’s…Continue reading »
- Parent-blaming to avoid professional accountability is a human rights issuewith Katherine Uher, parent and psychotherapist and Benji Uher We’ve run a number of articles that feature the injustice of…Continue reading »
- 10 top tips for moving local authority with an EHCPwith Liz Arriens Troy, a parent of a child with Down Syndrome The 2014 SEND reforms were supposed to have…Continue reading »
- New SEND Minister, Kelly Tolhurst: many responsibilities but none so important as disabled children’s futuresWe’d begun to get a little paranoid at Special Needs Jungle that maybe no one really wanted children and young…Continue reading »
- Gendered misperceptions: Research shows girls with ADHD miss out on school supportAttention, Deficit, Hyperactivity Disorder, (ADHD) remains a controversial topic for all sorts of reasons. Research illuminates just by how much…Continue reading »
- How will the government-funded RISE partnership improve local areas’ SEND provision?with Anna Gardiner, Assistant Director – Health , Council for Disabled Children Earlier this year the Department for Education announced £12…Continue reading »
- What is “special educational provision” in law? How a case of electromagnetic hypersensitivity may help future appealsArticle by Ed Duff, HCB Solicitors A very interesting SEND appeal in the Upper Tribunal caught our eye recently. A…Continue reading »
- SNJ’s response to the EHCP Annual Review Timescales consultationThe Department for Education consultation on EHCP Timescales closed last month. We put in our own response, and we’re publishing…Continue reading »
- An Employment Passport to young people with additional needs into paid workwith Richard Lamplough, My Employment Passport This autumn, thousands of parents will be waving off or delivering their young people…Continue reading »
- What influences the emotional wellbeing of young people with severe dyslexic difficulties?with Claire Durrant, Researcher, University of Sussex When our child(ren) have a SEND diagnosis, they can be made to feel…Continue reading »
- How The Wave Project makes surfing possible for disabled childrenWith Ian Bennett, The Wave Project A decade ago, I wrote here about a young Cornwall charity that was helping…Continue reading »
- Top tips for introducing a School Dog to help your studentswith Cherryl Drabble, SEND educator Support and animals can have a very beneficial effect on children with additional needs or…Continue reading »
- Helping Businesses Become More Inclusive with SEND Session Guideswith Dan Hughes I don't think that there are many people reading this that would argue that inclusivity isn't beneficial…Continue reading »
- Why the Down Syndrome Act ‘call for evidence’ is also relevant for people with other genetic conditionsGovernment consultations are like buses. No sooner has one gone by, than another arrives. In the same week the SEND…Continue reading »
- Special Needs Jungle’s #SENDReview Consultation responseA short post to share with you the SNJ SEND Review Green paper consultation response. It was quite a mammoth…Continue reading »
- Falling Through the Cracks: How children with SEND struggle to access early years educationwith Catherine McLeod, Dingley's Promise Today we're hearing from Catherine McLeod from Dingley's Promise, a charity trying to drive change…Continue reading »
- Using a different lens for neurodivergent children: Don’t treat them as younger, give them the tools to achieveA little while ago someone on my Facebook posted a meme that supposedly showed the functional age of a child…Continue reading »
- #SENDReview: National standards plans are an assault on the rights and entitlements of children and young people with SENDOne of the main, and most worrying, proposals in the SEND Green Paper is the introduction of National Standards. Some…Continue reading »
- Quince back on board with SEND as the Education Committee sends a shot across the bowsIt's finally been confirmed that Will Quince MP will continue to have political responsibility for SEND, and the SEND Review,…Continue reading »
- Without detailed plans for its planned “Inclusion Dashboards”, the DfE is navigating towards an Inclusion IllusionI don’t mean to show off, but my car has a very fancy dashboard. As well as the standard features…Continue reading »
- How will the new ‘Universal SEND Services’ programme help for learners with SEND?with Amanda Wright, Deputy Head of Whole School SEND Earlier this year, The Department for Education announced a funding service…Continue reading »
- Legal action launched against #SENDReview Consultation, over “misleading” disability discrimination Tribunal questionIt’s all happening isn’t it? As Nadhim Zahawi scarpers to No11 (don’t let the door to Sanctuary Buildings hit you…Continue reading »
- Are new SEND financial accountability measures compatible with lawful SEND provision?Accountability. Ask most SEND parents, and that’s what they’ll tell you is missing from the current system. Most of the…Continue reading »
- WEBINAR RECORDING: Will Quince MP answers YOUR questions on the #SENDReview Green PaperIf you missed, or indeed want to rewatch, our joint webinar with Children and Families Minister Will Quince on the…Continue reading »
- The Teacher-Parent / Carer Team: Working together for our children by Carrie GrantCarrie Grant MBE, SEND parent, advocate, and media personality is back to talk about her new book, "Special Educational Needs…Continue reading »
- SNJ in Conversation podcast: Will Quince in our hot seat discussing the #SENDReview Green PaperYesterday, Renata and I sat down virtually with Will Quince MP, Minister for Children and Families for an episode of…Continue reading »
- #SENDReview Green Paper second WEBINAR: Ask the Minister, Will Quince. Registration open!Many of you will have attended or watched our first webinar with Children and Families Minister, Will Quince MP in…Continue reading »
- SEND Stats 2022: How has the pandemic affected the numbers of pupils with SEND?It’s the middle of June, and that means the Department for Education (DfE) has just published its annual set of…Continue reading »
- The legal implications of the #SENDReview: WEBINAR RECORDINGIf you didn't manage to get to our webinar about the legal implications of the SEND Review Green Paper, fear…Continue reading »
- And yet another SEND consultation, this time: EHCP Annual review timescalesConsultations are, it seems, like buses. You wait two years for one, then three come along at once. Or, in…Continue reading »
- Ofsted and the CQC reveal plans for new Area SEND Inspections **Watch a webinar on the consultation from Ofsted** Every local authority and health body in England has now had its…Continue reading »
- WEBINAR: #SENDReview Legal Roundtable. What are the legal implications of SEND Green Paper?We've been debating all the merits and otherwise of the SEND Review Green Paper for some time now. But what…Continue reading »
- The SEND Green Paper and the Down Syndrome Act (2022) We're delighted that Sharon Smith, Parent advocate and PhD researcher, University of Birmingham has joined us as a regular columnist.…Continue reading »
- The #SENDReview must embed Speech, Language and Communication skills across education, especially teacher trainingwith Amy Loxley, Lead Speech and Language Advisor for I CAN, One of the major criticisms of the SEND Review…Continue reading »
- Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) and Perplexing Presentations – New guidance for social work practitionerswith Sally Russell, Trustee, The PDA Society Scientific rigour in medicine is, thankfully, the rule rather than the exception. We…Continue reading »
- Behaviour management in schools: legally, the playing field has not been levelledAnd Alex Stafford, Solicitor, IPSEA legal team member, parent of teenager with SEND The publication at long last of the…Continue reading »
- What’s in the Children’s social care review for disabled children?Children who are looked after by the state (CLA) are undeniably among the most vulnerable in the country, and those…Continue reading »
- Human Rights, The Equality Act and Inclusive Education: The 12 changes the #SENDReview Green Paper needs for a paradigm shiftRichard Rieser is a disability campaigner and expert in inclusion. This article is his view of how the Green Paper…Continue reading »
- Campaigning for inclusive education for children with Down’s syndromewith Chris Barnes, Down's Syndrome International Diversity and inclusion. Two words we champion daily, the holy grail for those in…Continue reading »
- The EHCP statistics 2022 don’t tell the whole story. And see who topped the new EHCP LA Hall of Shame!At the end of last week, the Department for Education (DfE) published their annual statistical summary of Education, Health and Care…Continue reading »
- What are the implications of the #SENDReview for deaf children?with Justin Cooke, National Children's Deaf Society I’ve got two deaf boys. They’ve experienced some of the best and the…Continue reading »
- What the evidence says about the 13 crucial areas for quality in Alternative Provisionwith Dennis Simms, IntegratED Hub Lead The SEND Review Green Paper places great emphasis on including alternative provision within a…Continue reading »
- How can the #SENDReview implement new changes while avoiding the same mistakes of the last reforms?Let’s kick off with some Green Paper quotes: “Disabled children and children with SEN tell us that they can feel…Continue reading »
- #SENDReview: A vision for Alternative Provision, but where’s the evidence?by Susie Lenihan, Renata Blower & Tania Tirraoro Chapter 4 of the SEND Review Green paper is focused on reforming…Continue reading »
- Bureau of Investigative Journalism finds SEND funding black hole grew by 52% in a year, with one child in a SEND school 412 miles from homeThe Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation with a mission to hold power to account. TBIJ…Continue reading »
- #SENDReview: Downgrading SENCO training is a mistake but protected time must be mandatorywith Tristan Middleton, University of Gloucestershire & chair, LLSCIC. Under the SEND Code of Practice, SENCOs must be gain a…Continue reading »
- #SENDReview: What is excellent SEND provision from early years to adulthood?So what’s in chapter 3? From the title, you can assume it’s about provision – specifically SEND provision one would imagine.…Continue reading »
- Déjà vu: How will the #SENDReview end the over-promising and under-delivering cycle of support for disabled children?As you have seen, SNJ are unpicking the detail and supporting parents to have a voice throughout the SEND Review…Continue reading »
- #SENDReview: Why mandatory mediation in SEND appeals isn’t wanted–or neededwith Margaret Doyle, author, accredited SEND mediator One of the proposals in the SEND Review Green Paper is for compulsory…Continue reading »
- #SENDReview Chapter 2 under the microscope: National standards, EHCP changes, and limiting choiceAs we continue our analysis of the SEND Green Paper, today we're looking at Chapter two, which includes consultation questions…Continue reading »
- What does the #SENDReview Green Paper say about funding the future of SEND?This post includes an explanation of how SEND funding works in the simplest way possible, before looking at funding in…Continue reading »
- Post 16: What’s in the #SENDReview Green paper for 16-25-year-old disabled young people?About SNJ’s SEND review coverage: SNJ is bringing you lots of information and analysis about the SEND Green Paper. We…Continue reading »
- #SENDReview Chapter 5 (part 1): The missing accountability questionIn this article, we'll be looking at the first part of Chapter 5, dealing with Consultation Questions No. 17 &…Continue reading »
- #SENDReview: Defining Alternative Provision and… how about an apology?As we all know by now, the SEND Review was published on Tuesday 29th March 2022. The consultation runs for 13 weeks…Continue reading »
- Publication day: Your first look at what’s in the SEND Review Green Paper.Updates Summary of the SEND review: right support, right place, right time Dedicated SEND Review website Open consultation SEND review:…Continue reading »
- Schools White Paper: what are the implications for SEND?The Government’s Schools White Paper (herein SWP for short) has just been published, the day before the long-awaited SEND Green Paper…Continue reading »
- The new handbook that’s helping every teacher to be a teacher of SENDwith Erica Wolstenholme, Whole School SEND National Coordinator As it says in the SEND Code of Practice, Every Teacher is…Continue reading »
- How much impact will Early Years SENCOs in disadvantaged areas make to boosting early identification of SEND?Recently, SNJ co-hosted Will Quince, Minister for Children and Families, on a parent webinar to talk about the solutions his…Continue reading »
- Moving Towards Neurodiversity InclusionIt's Neurodiversity Celebration Week! When I launched Neurodiversity Celebration Week over three years ago, I never imagined that my campaign…Continue reading »
- SNJ Report: The casual bias and daily discrimination faced by disabled children and their families from ethnic and marginalised communitiesA new SNJ survey has highlighted how racial discrimination and unconscious bias are everyday experiences for disabled children and their…Continue reading »
- The law on educational provision to support Ukrainian children with SEN and disabilities arriving in Englandwith Ali Fiddy, Chief Executive of IPSEA Background image: UNICEF Ukraine from Kyiv, Ukraine, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons…Continue reading »
- “Impowering” the future of SEND where parents and SENCOs just need to be less “demanding”As the SEND Review Green Paper edges closer - maybe within a week - we decided to look into something…Continue reading »
- LAs: SEND failings are everyone’s fault but ours and it’s too easy to get an EHCPwith comment from Matt Keer and Ali Fiddy Reports about SEND come and go. Some barely make a mark, some…Continue reading »
- We don’t need ”fundamental SEND reform”. Just sharpen the teeth of the legal system we already have.Getting the Children’s Minister’s attention at a webinar this week attended by 200 parents of children with SEND was an…Continue reading »
- PRE-SEND REVIEW Webinar with Will Quince MPYesterday Special Needs Jungle facilitated a webinar with the SEND Minister, Will Quince MP, ahead of the publication of the…Continue reading »
- Opinion: Birth-injury compensation payouts highlight the disparity in support for children born disabledSNJ note: Parent-carer of a child with complex needs and SEND campaigner, Rachel Adam Smith, joins us as a columnist.…Continue reading »
- Brian Lamb: Will the SEND Review Green Paper deliver lasting improvements for disabled children and families?SNJ note: Prof. Brian Lamb OBE's Lamb Inquiry in 2009 sparked the last SEND Reforms Green Paper. We're delighted he's…Continue reading »
- Schools need support to implement vital lessons about better SEND teaching, learned from Covidwith Sharon Smith, SEN Policy Research Forum The pandemic illuminated the yawning gap between schools that put high value on…Continue reading »
- Creative reasonable adjustments for SEND learners that don’t have to cost a thingToday we welcome a new columnist, Susan Lenihan, SEND parent, former headteacher and a SEND Community Alliance campaigner Some time…Continue reading »
- Lockdown stresses worse in parents and their children with intellectual disabilities. Things haven’t improved sincewith Dr Hope Christie, Edinburgh University While much of the country is going about their business as if the pandemic…Continue reading »
- An essential Guide to SEND Transportwith SEND Advocate Diana Read SEND transport is usually the final hurdle for families seeking an Education, Health and Care…Continue reading »
- Helping our disabled children understand that difficult experiences don’t define them or their futurePlace2Be’s Children’s Mental Health Week 2022 is supporting the theme of ‘Growing Together’. The aim is to help and support…Continue reading »
- Eliza’s searingly-honest film about teenage mental health and how the right help is hard to findWith Eliza Gardner, teenage mental health campaigner Children's Mental Health Week gives rise to grimmer statistics every year and of…Continue reading »
- £93 million more in SEND funding for respite, supported internships and making LAs do what they’re supposed toWe seem to have a tale of two governments at the moment or perhaps we are flipping between parallel universes.…Continue reading »
- Why it’s vital for Deaf children’s futures that British Sign Language becomes lawwith Mike Hobday, Director of Policy & Campaigns, National Deaf Children’s Society signing images: british-sign.co.uk I learned the British Sign…Continue reading »
- Launching the SNJ Intersectionality Panel focusing on disability, race, and cultural discrimination in SENDWith Marguerite Haye and Mala Thapar, Leads for the SNJ Intersectionality Panel *If this is not an issue that affects…Continue reading »
- School Attendance? What if your disabled child isn’t allowed in?with Anna C, parent of a child with complex needs The Government has just launched a consultation seeking views on…Continue reading »
- SEND Review: Fait accompli or a real chance for parents and practitioners to shape policy?with Christopher Robertson, independent academic and author, policy analyst and adviser The SEND Review is promised before Easter with a…Continue reading »
- The Family Experience of PDA – Book Giveawaywith Eliza Fricker, SEND parent and illustrator Eliza Fricker is an illustrator and designer, who is also the parent to…Continue reading »
- Disability, the Equality Act and the SEND ReviewDisability campaigner Richard Rieser of World of Inclusion discusses the vital importance for the SEND Review to frame itself around disability…Continue reading »
- Why the SEND Review MUST extend EHCPs to disabled students in higher educationWe’ve been calling for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) to cover all young disabled people in education up to…Continue reading »
2021
- Growing up disabled: Puberty, privacy & positivity with Siena Castellon and George Fielding
- Sensory, inclusive, accessible theatre fun for all
- What’s the point of the Down’s Syndrome Bill? One parent’s view, plus a legal opinion
- Councils wasted £253 million fighting parents at the SEND Tribunal since 2014 reforms
- The great SNJ Christmas cheer GIVEAWAY!
- Ombudsman calls for wider powers to investigate SEND and exclusions in all schools
- Ask, Listen, Act, so disabled learners’ two years of pandemic misery is never repeated
- The Government must act to reduce the stark inequalities in disabled children’s health and care
- Supported Internships help disabled young people feel valued and socially included
- How will the SEND Review create sustainable support that’s also value for money?
- Let’s rename bullying for what it is: abuse
- Finding the racial minority voices in SEND
- Heidi’s Down’s syndrome abortion case: It’s complicated
- It’s not just SEND teacher training that’s needed. How we educate all children is broken
- EOTAS: Education Otherwise Than At School. What is it, and can I get it?
- New Budget funds for SEND capital spending. But how did LAs spend previous cash? We checked…
- Coproduction is an illusion for parents and SENCOs
- Shameful: Birmingham’s SEND has failed a generation of disabled children
- The Let us Learn Too petition is misleading, DfE? Really?
- BBC’s Don’t Exclude Me (pt 2): Resorting to restraint shows desperate need for better SEND training
- Don’t Exclude Me: Shouldn’t SEND be the first thought?
- Dear Will Quince, welcome to SEND…here’s 10 of your top priorities
- My experience with EMDR as an autistic young person
- Maths for Life – Book Review
- The new “rights-based” Additional Learning Needs system in Wales
- Mr Zahawi: Publish the SEND Review—but make sure it solves the RIGHT problem
- Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: What doctors and schools need to know
- Dear Boris, you must act now to help disabled children #LetUsLearnToo
- #LetUsLearnToo: Don’t dilute disabled children’s rights!
- Six top tips for managing meltdown triggers for autistic pupils in school
- Invest More in Social Care Support for Disabled Children: A Mother’s Open Letter to the Chancellor
- nasen LIVE 2021: Inclusion beyond COVID. An Unmissable Event!*
- Exploring the “subtle spectrum” of autistic discovery
- What schools need to know to support learners with hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
- The SEND Tribunal single appeal route works. DfE must give families certainty it’s here to stay
- What does the Government’s new Autism Strategy actually mean for autistic children and young people?
- Failure to specify and quantify SEND reports – what options do families have?
- Will the Judicial Review Bill torpedo SEND claims or is it damp squib?
- Urgent change is needed to stop the institutional culture of parent-carer blaming
- Dame Christine: I’d like to set the record straight
- Is the DfE’s SEND funding “safety valve” on a collision course with schools and families?
- Five years at Number One for SNJ
- Pupils in special settings suffered significant effects of the pandemic but the “Recovery Plan” won’t help them
- Dying to be seen: Why is it so hard to get help from CAMHS? By Carrie Grant MBE
- Minister admits legal entitlements for children with SEND are “up for review”
- The Cracks That Let the Light In – Book Giveaway
- An open letter to James Sunderland MP, offering an educational primer in SEND
- SEND in schools 2021: Waiting for the other shoe to drop?
- Overworked, underpaid SENCOs mean children with SEND “will be left vulnerable for decades”
- What’s next for Ofsted/CQC SEND Inspections? And is accountability about to nosedive?
- Children’s Social Care Review: Are disabled children ‘someone else’s’ problem?
- Ofsted / CQC: SEND was bad before the pandemic, it’s worse now
- LA fails disabled young man repeatedly over a decade. Are stronger deterrents needed?
- Why there needs to be a moratorium on school exclusion
- How to help our children: 10 top tips from parents for SEND Case Officers
- Free course: Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) in children with mental health difficulties
- Whole School SEND Spotlight: Developmental Language Disorder Guide
- Will the DfE learn lessons about supporting disabled learners before the next big crisis?
- Exemplary Practice: How a Circle of Friends and other easy adjustments change lives for disabled children
- Therapy resources for families of children with additional needs
- Emotional Wellbeing in Parent Carers – Day by Day book giveaway
- 15,000 disabled learners with EHCPs but no provision: The EHCP figures for 2021
- Ofsted asks: How well do mainstream schools support SEND?
- Is Excluded being Expelled? The DfE is sneaking in outdated language, hoping it’ll catch on
- The inequalities in Post-16 education and work for young disabled people
- Let’s MOVE! Supporting disabled children to get their movement skills back on track
- 10 top tips to boost Working Memory in children
- Coping with uncertainty: Supporting teens who “learn differently”*
- Whole School SEND Spotlight: The Autism Resource Suite
- It is time employers realised the benefits of employing young people with learning disabilities
- Top tips to get your disabled child confidently back into post-pandemic life
- NEU teachers’ union votes to build inclusive mainstream education for children and young people with SEND
- The audiobook service that’s free for disabled people, with 3,000 books for children and young people
- SEND judicial review and how LAs spin tales about “litigious” parents
- Who benefits from inclusive education – and how?
- Helping autistic learners recover from pandemic educational losses
- Research call-out for Y11s with autism, dyslexia or cerebral palsy
- How we fired up our disabled children’s home learning with the specialist kit they need
- The virtual workshops helping disabled children and their families with Dogs for Good
- This Education Policy Institute research proves why every teacher MUST be a teacher of SEND
- The ABC of the LGSCO: How to complain to the Ombudsman over SEND failures
- Why does Josh’s review seem to think disabled children are “Not Known to Social Care”?
- Why Person-Centred Planning is vital for better lives for children and adults with disabilities
- Protecting Parents from False Allegations of Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII)
- #ProvisionDenied Return to School SEND Legal Webinar *recording + questions answered*
- Poor advice for Post-16: Why Katie & Harvey Price’s long hunt for a suitable college is far from unique
- Free back-to-school legal WEBINAR! What to do if your child’s SEND education rights are denied when schools fully-reopen
- SNJ’s 10-point “Grab & Go” version of the DfE’s Back-to-School Guidance for SEND learners
- Ombudsman responds to our #ProvisionDenied report with news of a COVID team
- Provision denied: Children with SEND have had their needs and education “pushed to one side, for the convenience of the majority.”
- Top Teaching Tips for Children with SEND
- Why does every school need to know about Whole School SEND? And how you can help
- Can you help Josh fix children’s social care? His review is calling for your advice
- SEND researchers identify key lessons for teaching children with special education needs in lockdown
- Why is He Still Here? Book giveaway
- Ofsted: Two-thirds of disabled children “disengaged” from remote learning, while less than half of schools offer extra help
- Neurodevelopmental Neurodiversity Network: A collaboration to advance understanding of neurodevelopment and neurodiversity
- If we truly want effective SENCOs, the government must act to make it possible
- How the National Tutoring Programme can be a powerful tool to help SEND pupils during lockdown
- How to reclaim a positive mental attitude while parenting in a pandemic
- Lockdown 3: What does it mean for the rights of children with SEND?
- More parents seeking children’s mental health support in pandemic, with growing pessimism over support delays
2020
- Your gratitude messages that blew us away after a nightmare yearRenata Blower & Tania Tirraoro are full of gratitude This has not been the year any of us were expecting.…Continue reading »
- Changing lives through BocciaOpportunities for disabled young people to participate in sport can be limited, either because expensive specialist equipment is needed or…Continue reading »
- Blockbusting: What’s Happened to the £780m in Extra SEND Funding?In 2019, the Government announced the biggest increase in school funding in years – a three-year funding programme, pumping an extra £2.6bn…Continue reading »
- 95% of decisions in favour of parents, but nobody wins at the SEND Tribunal2020 is a year that most of us will be glad to see the back of. But before we kiss…Continue reading »
- MPs call on the government to act quickly on home education registerThe number of children – including children with SEND – who are home educated by their parents’ choice, has increased…Continue reading »
- How has coronavirus affected your child’s access to speech and language therapy?with Caroline Wright, Policy Adviser at the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists In the first lockdown, thousands of…Continue reading »
- Who deserves a special SNJ thank you message for helping your disabled child through 2020?It's close to the end of the year... and what an indescribable year it has been! Many of us have…Continue reading »
- £300 million for SEND school places. But how does it improve inclusion and equality?At the end of yesterday’s Treasury spending review document, the catchily entitled “SR20”, Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, said it, “ensured that the…Continue reading »
- How is Ofsted supporting & evaluating SEND provision during the pandemic?The education fo children with SEND (or lack of it) during the pandemic has been on our minds all year.…Continue reading »
- We need more awareness that pandemic life is far from an equal experience"It's life, Jim, but not as we know it"... the Star Trek (mis)quote sums up 2020 for most people. Even…Continue reading »
- UK Disability History Month – How far have we still got to go?Renata writes: Some of us will be old enough to remember when hundreds of disabled people took to the streets…Continue reading »
- How do you develop a meaningful pathway to employment for young people with SEND?With Roseanna Gooder - Lead for 16-19 Pathway, Work Related and Vocational Learning at Swiss Cottage School, Development and Research…Continue reading »
- Ofsted: Disabled children “seriously affected in both care and education” during pandemicOfsted’s second report looking at how the pandemic has impacted children’s education and wellbeing has added more weight to existing…Continue reading »
- Coronavirus Lockdown 2.0: What does it mean for disabled children?Welcome to Coronavirus Lockdown 2.0. I don't know about you, but 2020 has seemed like a nightmare you can't quite…Continue reading »
- Ambitious and inclusive sensory story-tellingAbout a decade ago an impossible dream of mine came true. Special Needs Jungle was a part of that happening,…Continue reading »
- Missing the mark: Anxiety and avoidance, illustrated.with Eliza Fricker, SEND parent and illustrator Twitter, eh? Sometimes it makes you grind your teeth, or it can offer…Continue reading »
- SNJ in Conversation: Teaching Assistants, their role and how schools can use them effectivelyFor children with special educational needs, a skilled teaching assistant can be the difference between them being able to progress…Continue reading »
- More than one in three disabled pupils experience bullying in mainstream school, plus other concerning SEND statsI've had a peruse through a new publication from the Department for Education, about the experiences of pupils and their…Continue reading »
- Joining the dots of neurodiversity with Suzy RowlandWe haven't done a book giveaway for a while, so today we're offering a copy of SEND parent, Suzy Rowland's…Continue reading »
- SNJ in Conversation: SEND law now and EOTAS, Part TwoToday we're releasing the second part of the really informative episode of SNJ in Conversation with SEND lawyers, Hayley Mason…Continue reading »
- SEND Law right now. And why you mustn’t confuse EOTAS with home educationWhat's the difference between Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS) and Home Education? If you're thinking about educating your child…Continue reading »
- Family Fund grants: the who, what and how to applywith Jim Paterson, The Family Fund Earlier in the year, the government announced it was giving an additional £10 million…Continue reading »
- The dyslexia ‘battle’ and middle-class mums? I think we need to look at the broader picturewith Alison Vaughan, teacher and SEND parent Last week, The Guardian ran a long feature by Sirin Kale, called "The…Continue reading »
- Why I’m using my new global United Nations role to promote neurodiversity and the importance of equalityTania's note: At SNJ, we want to pass on our huge congratulations to Siena for being selected for this incredible,…Continue reading »
- SURVEY: Does your child have all their SEND provision back? What’s your family’s experience been this term?Government guidance for the autumn school and college term 2020 is "everyone in". Only, that's not the reality for many…Continue reading »
- Coronavirus guidance: What mainstream settings should do to ensure the inclusion of disabled childrenwith Lorraine Petersen OBE, Educational Consultant Trying to keep up with the government's latest coronavirus education guidance can seem like…Continue reading »
- Introducing Oak National Academy’s new online specialist curriculumIt’s been an academic year like no other, but I think we can all agree that teachers and families have…Continue reading »
- Ofsted/CQC SEND inspectors dropping by soon, but in learning modeIt seems like a lifetime ago now – but there was a time when local SEND services were subjected to…Continue reading »
- The scandal of the children with complex needs told they’re not welcome back at schoolWhile schools opened to welcome children back last week, we have been hearing disturbing reports who have complex medical needs…Continue reading »
- Left stranded: the impact of coronavirus on autistic people and families in the UKwith Jane Harris, Director of External Affairs at the National Autistic Society Coronavirus has had a negative impact on every…Continue reading »
- Special school heads think 14% of their children won’t be backAmy Skipp is a researcher, founder of ASK Research, and the creator of the EHCP Journeys website. She's writing today…Continue reading »
- Does the government really want to support disabled young people to go to university?** The rules referred to in this post have changed yet again. Read our new post here to find out…Continue reading »
- Explaining the inexplicable: why the government won the SEND coronavirus judicial review (round one)Earlier this month, the High Court heard the case of a family who brought a judicial review against the government,…Continue reading »
- SNJ In Conversation: SEND training for SENCOs and school leaders with Anne Heavey and Hannah MoloneyToday's SNJ in Conversation is offering tips for everyone interested in improving SEND teaching. While schools are still on their…Continue reading »
- SNJ in Conversation: Oak Academy’s improving SEND offerOne of the few positives of the pandemic and lockdown, was the creation of the Oak Academy resource, an online…Continue reading »
- Autistic children unlawfully denied care assessments: Your parent carer group can help further researchwith Professor Luke Clements and Dr Ana Laura Aiello Has your autistic child had a social care assessment of their…Continue reading »
- SNJ in Conversation: Why we need to talk about race and SENDThis episode of Special Needs Jungle 'in conversation with...' tackles the often overlooked issues around race, racism, intersectionality and disproportionality…Continue reading »
- Young people with SEND left in limbo with no place for Septemberwith Ruth Perry, Senior Policy Manager at Natspec, the membership body for specialist FE colleges. One of the things we've…Continue reading »
- Coronavirus and SEND Education: 75% of schools ignored Government risk assessment guidance during the lockdownDuring most of June 2020, Special Needs Jungle offered a survey of to our readers, to ask them about some…Continue reading »
- DfE on SEND failures inquiry: We’ll get back to you later (and it’s not our fault)Clean hands it seems, are not just for the pandemic. The Department for Education has them over any failures in…Continue reading »
- Identifying SEND in the Early Years: Partnership and collaboration is keywith Dr Helen Curran senior lecturer in SEN at Bath Spa University, The earlier a special educational need is identified…Continue reading »
- SEND cuts campaigners in London tell their council: See you in (the High) CourtWith Ken Barlow, Waltham Forest SEND Crisis Parents being forced to throw themselves into the legal system in order to…Continue reading »
- SEND Inspections on repeat, with families’ experience “essential” to new frameworkWe’ve been waiting a while for confirmation about what’s happening when the current cycle of Ofsted/CQC SEND inspections of all…Continue reading »
- Keeping children with SEND from getting ‘lost in digital space’with CEO of Internet Matters Carolyn Bunting. For children with access to the internet, lockdown saw a sky-rocketing of the…Continue reading »
- Myth-Busting the ‘magic’ of multiple multi-sensory roomsTania's note: as many of you know, Joanna Grace is a Sensory Engagement and Inclusion Specialist, (normally) running training events…Continue reading »
- SEND in schools 2019-2020: It’s just so depressingThe school census figures for SEND have just been published for 2019-2020. Before we get to that, I want to…Continue reading »
- SNJ In Conversation with Dame Christine Lenehan, Director of the Council for Disabled ChildrenOne of the (numerous) problems many parents find when their child is having an education, health and care needs assessment,…Continue reading »
- The law on SEND Local Offer websites: How good is yours?When was the last time you checked out your local authority's Local Offer website? Some are attached to the LA…Continue reading »
- Observing many ‘nows’ to infer a choice, for people with profound learning disabilitiesHere is a situation you will probably have encountered: an adult holds out two toys to a child, asking, “Which…Continue reading »
- SEND risk assessments and preparing for a return to school (or not)*August update: EHCPs are now back in full force and all children are expected back in school in September. However,…Continue reading »
- SEND 2020: What’s the current state of Ofsted local area inspections?Four years ago, Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission started inspecting local SEND services. Thanks to COVID-19, inspections are on…Continue reading »
- Improving SEND provision: Co-produced resources for the whole schoolTania's note: It may seem hard to believe but one day, we will get back to "normal" in schools. The…Continue reading »
- Lockdown gave me time to really appreciate my amazing children with SENDWhile people are emerging out of lockdown, and some children are returning to school, other families remain carefully shielding. While…Continue reading »
- SNJ Survey: Tell us about your disabled child’s education during CoronavirusWe've decided to create a quick survey to find out how families have been getting on while home educating and…Continue reading »
- SNJ In Conversation: What legal rights do disabled children
have left under the Coronavirus Act?In Conversation with Steve Broach, public law barrister We wouldn't normally churn out another episode of In Conversation so quickly,…Continue reading »
- Shots fired! Secretary of State in legal challenge over SEND Coronavirus changesThe relaxation to the duties on LAs to make the provision in EHCPs has left disabled children without the legal…Continue reading »
- SNJ In Conversation: Awesome and Autistic in a post-pandemic worldwith Renata Blower and Siena Castellon Today we're bringing you another episode of SNJ In Conversation and again you can…Continue reading »
- Coronavirus: Managing risk to get our special school ready for reintegrationwith Ian Thorsteinsson, Principal, Gretton School, Cambridge The Government has confirmed it is pressing ahead with its plans to reopen…Continue reading »
- Dear Prime Minister, not all education in lockdown is equalA letter to the PM from Lilia, a year 10 pupil who believes that not all education in lockdown is…Continue reading »
- Launching “SNJ In Conversation” First episode: Coronavirus and Disabled children’s mental healthToday we're launching a new feature: SNJ "In Conversation". It will feature both videos and podcasts where one or more…Continue reading »
- Coronavirus: Disabled children’s education rights must be restored now, before any formal return to schoolThis week Boris Johnston announced that schools may start reopening to certain year groups again from June 1st. Around 80% of…Continue reading »
- SEND with Daulby: Supporting Oral Language difficultiesOral language is a term I became familiar with in my later years of teaching. Partly because I worked with…Continue reading »
- EHCPs 2020: Postcode lotteries and the Hall of ShameYesterday, the Department for Education published their annual snapshot of statistics about Education, Health and Care Plans in England. So…Continue reading »
- It is a mistake to assume all vulnerable children are ‘at risk of harm’Coronavirus has divided Britain into those who are vulnerable and those who are not. But vulnerable means different things to…Continue reading »
- Public Accounts Committee Inquiry report adds pressure to #fixSEND. SEND Review MUST NOT delay furtherIt seems like a lifetime ago, but for most of last year, you couldn’t move for official inquiries into the…Continue reading »
- Changes to children’s social care – implications for disabled children’s short breaksThe Adoption and Children (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 make wide-ranging changes to, amongst other things, the role of social workers and local…Continue reading »
- What’s wrong with Oak Academy’s specialist curriculum?with Karen Wespieser, curriculum lead for specialist content at Oak Academy A couple of weeks ago a group of volunteer…Continue reading »
- Coronavirus: EHCP laws temporarily “relaxed” as LAs told to just do their bestand SEN Lawyer, Hayley Mason, SNJ Legal Columnist The Government yesterday announced temporary amendments to the SEND regulations around legal…Continue reading »
- How is the coronavirus lockdown affecting the mental health of children with SEND?With so many children with SEND finding school an anxiety-inducing experience, has home learning during the coronavirus lockdown helped, or…Continue reading »
- Coronavirus: Sensory resources for children with SENDWe are living through strange times; big things are happening to small people. I have a five-year-old son and I…Continue reading »
- My trans-daughter, an unexpected giftwith Caroline Watson & Hannah Watson Today we have a subject that we haven't covered before on SNJ: Having a…Continue reading »
- Why the Coronavirus lockdown adjustment for people with disabilities and mental health conditions was the right thing to doand Alice Irving, barrister, research assistant to Steve Broach. The current public health crisis has affected us all. But for…Continue reading »
- Campaign: Family carers deserve at least minimum wage for their 24/7 workWhen you care for a disabled child or adult, you are often not able to work full or even part-time,…Continue reading »
- Could remote hearings be the new normal at the SEND Tribunal?SEND legal practitioners attend a periodic Tribunal User Group session - no surprises for guessing the latest was a remote…Continue reading »
- SEND with Daulby: Keeping it loose for home learningAs I write this about being relaxed while home learning, I am aware of the irony that yesterday I screamed…Continue reading »
- How has special education needs evolved in the 40 years since the Warnock Report?with Professor Geoff Lindsay, Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal and Research (CEDAR), University of Warwick Everyone in the SEND sector…Continue reading »
- Care in a time of coronavirus (ii): Using health direct payments to pay family members for careSome children and adults receiving direct payments for complex health needs will be avoiding all non-essential face-to-face contact during the…Continue reading »
- Coronavirus Lockdown with kids: Setting a steady pace for home learningwith Lisa Thomas, Angela Kelly and Marguerite Haye In the previous post, we discussed meeting the challenges of home learning.…Continue reading »
- Why learning in isolation doesn’t have to be an isolating learning experience.from Lisa Thomas, Angela Kelly and Marguerite Haye So, how was your first week of home teaching and learning? Despite…Continue reading »
- Special Needs Jungle wins Your UK Parliament’s Volunteer of the Year Award!And now, among all the bad news, here is something pretty darn fabulous. We are thrilled to announce that Special…Continue reading »
- Coronavirus and SEND law: Part 4 What does my child’s EHCP still provide?This is the last group of The the 200+ questions we received. These answers will be the most important for…Continue reading »
- Coronavirus: School, attendance and exclusions. Your legal questions answered, part 3You sent over 200 questions in about your legal concerns over how the #CoronavirusLockdown was going to affect your child's…Continue reading »
- Coronavirus and SEND law: Your Questions Answered (part two – Timescales)On Tuesday it was all about how the SEND Tribunal is affected by the Coronavirus outbreak and temporary changes to…Continue reading »
- Coronavirus and SEND law:
Your questions answered (part one – Tribunals)I received more than 200 questions in the last week, sent by the wonderful parents reading Special Needs Jungle. Everyone…Continue reading »
- Care in a time of Coronavirus: Using direct payments to pay family members for careThe current public health crisis will leave no aspects of our lives untouched. One of the most obvious consequences is…Continue reading »
- Celebrating neurodiversity: Now, more than ever, we must support one another, whatever our differencesAs we enter into a dark time full of danger and uncertainty, it seems almost perverse to write an article…Continue reading »
- Steve Broach, Public Law Barrister on the Coronavirus Bill’s implications for disabled childrenTania's note: Further to our post earlier today about Coronavirus and disabled children, the Government has today published its emergency…Continue reading »
- The curious decision to keep disabled children at school despite the Coronavirus crisisAs you will have heard, yesterday the Government finally announced it was closing all schools as the Coronavirus crisis spreads.…Continue reading »
- #Coronavirus, EHCPs and the law: ask education lawyer Hayley MasonIn these unprecedented days, there is a lot of uncertainty, not least about education. What happens to legally-backed provision when…Continue reading »
- Savage cuts to support staff leave deaf children in England fighting for their futuresSo far, the SEND reforms have not been kind to deaf children and young people. Despite a series of ground-breaking…Continue reading »
- Calming Coronavirus anxiety in children (and everyone else)*Click here to go straight to latest information for education, health and social care. The Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is whipping…Continue reading »
- The one where the SEND system is a success: The astonishing views of the DfEAs we reported yesterday, the inquiry by the Commons Public Accounts Committee on funding for special educational needs and disabilities…Continue reading »
- Budget 2020: Show us the money for SEND!with Matt Keer, SNJ columnist & SEND funding guru It’s budget day this week and we think it’s imperative the…Continue reading »
- Can a new Parliamentary Group keep the pressure on to #fixSEND?As a limping, wounded SEND system drags itself into the third month of the new decade, we are still waiting…Continue reading »
- The Government’s proposals for SEND funding could be disastrous for vulnerable childrenParents of SEND children know all too well how the cuts to SEND and children's services have decimated crucial provision.…Continue reading »
- Green light urgently needed for #RareDisease Red Alert systemSNJ note: It's #RareDiseaseDay around the world. Today, CEO of Genetic Alliance UK, Jayne Spink, talks about a new "red…Continue reading »
- Book Review: Diary of a Dyslexic School Kid*This is a sponsored post by JKP Publishing. However, the review of Diary of a Dyslexic School Kid is honestly…Continue reading »
- RDI and me: How this amazing autism programme has helped me thriveHaving had a couple of SNJ articles out now, I recognised I was running into a theme of throwing up…Continue reading »
- New children’s minister Vicky Ford MUST sign off on continued Ofsted/CQC SEND inspectionsFirst thing's first, congratulations to Vicky Ford, MP for Chelmsford in Essex, who has been appointed to be the new…Continue reading »
- Special needs parenting: Love, determination and furyThe first time I held my eldest as a newborn, it hit me that my needs would never come first…Continue reading »
- 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…Continue reading »
- “Show me the evidence” Part 2: The questions parents should ask about SEND assessment and provisionWith Dr Jane Hood, Consultant Paediatric Neuropsychologist and Educational Psychologist & Rob Webster, Associate Professor,Centre for Inclusive Education, UCL Institute…Continue reading »
- “Show me the evidence” Part 1: Why parents are pivotal to driving evidence-based practice in SENDWith Dr Jane Hood, Consultant Paediatric Neuropsychologist and Educational Psychologist & Rob Webster, Associate Professor, Centre for Inclusive Education, UCL…Continue reading »
- For our disabled children, being brave is a daily necessityThe theme for the 2020 Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, from the Place2Be charity is ‘Find your Brave’. As parents of…Continue reading »
- Racial discrimination and SEND: Why was I accused of harm?Every child with SEND has a right to access the best provision to help them reach their potential. Their families…Continue reading »
- SEND with Daulby: Unseen teaching tweaks that make all the differenceTania's note: Today's we start a new series of posts from expert educator, Jules Daulby called, appropriately enough, SEND with…Continue reading »
- Ofsted’s grim verdict on SEND in EnglandOfsted's annual report, late because of the election, has a great deal to say about SEND and not much of…Continue reading »
- How the 2020 SENCO Surveys findings could really improve SEND provision nationallyThree years ago, when I first imagined what a SENCO Survey might achieve, I spent a lot of time wondering…Continue reading »
- Ofsted explains its new way of reporting on SEND provision in educationwith Nick Whittaker, Specialist Adviser, SEND, Ofsted In one of my roles, I work alongside other SEND representatives on Ofsted's…Continue reading »
- New Autism Toolkit launched to get support for children #RightFromTheStartA few months ago, we ran a story about the development of a new toolkit called for #RightFromTheStart to assist…Continue reading »
- What the Personal Wheelchair Budget means for disabled people in Englandwith Clare Dangerfield, Campaigning and Public Affairs Manager, Newlife charity If you or your child uses a wheelchair, you will…Continue reading »
- Challenging opaque, illegal social care plans for disabled adultsWith Belinda Schweher, CEO, social care legal charity CASCAIDr Anyone who's tried to get social care help for a young…Continue reading »
2019
- The 2019 SEND Advocates’ Stampede? Seems to me nowThat the dreams we had beforeAre all dead, nothing moreThan confetti on the floorIt's the end…Continue reading »
- A Christmas message and a moment of gratitudeWell here it is, Merry Christmas, everybody's having fun.... This is a post full of gratitude. It's been a really,…Continue reading »
- Relentlessly unlawful LA decisions are damaging children and forcing the SEND Tribunal into crisisLast Friday, whilst people were still getting their heads around the General Election, SNJ’s relentless data hoover sucked in a…Continue reading »
- Join us in the fight ahead to defend the rights of disabled childrenOur hearts may be as heavy today as they were on Friday morning. But there is no more time to…Continue reading »
- Review: Controlling pain with the PainPodSome time ago, Renata and I were asked to review* a device called a PainPod that claims to control pain,…Continue reading »
- Our LA left us feeling so abused
we escaped to Scotland for a better life with our SEND sonwith Harminder Samra, SEND parent Just over two years ago we ran an article by Harminder Samra, the mother of…Continue reading »
- EHCP Annual Review: Our stats show there’s nothing annual about them…After months of form-filling, evidence gathering, panel meetings and bureaucratic slow-dancing, your child or young person now has an Education,…Continue reading »
- Review: Starving the Depression Gremlin – a CBT workbookDepression is an increasingly common issue in children and adolescents. Today we're reviewing Starving the Depression Gremlin - a cognitive…Continue reading »
- Exemplary Practice: Why this special school is PROUD of its pupil voicewith Mary Isherwood OBE, Headteacher Camberwell Park Specialist Support School, Moston, Manchester There's so much bad, stressful or just plain…Continue reading »
- #VoteSEND: How disabled people & their families can make a difference this electionA poll of families who have a child or young person with SEND suggests that more than two million General…Continue reading »
- The right to a suitable education: what the law saysWhy do I have to go to school to learn? Many children and young people find school or college inaccessible…Continue reading »
- Safeguarding and children with SEND: What parents need to knowwith the Safe Schools Alliance "All organisations that work with or come into contact with children should have safeguarding policies…Continue reading »
- What’s a PRU to you? Busting the myths about alternative provisionwith David Mills, Executive Vice Principal, Phoenix Park Academy & Sevenhills Academy When a child is admitted to a pupil…Continue reading »
- SEND Community Alliance: A ManifestoWe recently announced the establishment of our new campaigning group, led by the teams from Special Needs Jungle, SEND National…Continue reading »
- It’s NOT your fault: An autistic teen’s comprehensive guide to surviving being bulliedI’m still just 17 and I've been bullied at school for most of my life. If you’re autistic or have a…Continue reading »
- Why the next government must make investing in new teachers of the deaf a prioritywith Ian Noon of the National Deaf Children's Society I’ve got two deaf sons. They’re brighter than I am. They’re…Continue reading »
- SEND Tribunal trial extended – but it needs more than just time to be a successPlans have been announced to extend the current trial that gives the SEND Tribunal powers to make non-binding directions for…Continue reading »
- Launching the SEND Community Alliance: An independent campaign groupwith SNJ's Renata Blower, Gill Doherty (SEND Action) and Nadia Turki & Poppy Rose (SEND National Crisis) An exciting announcement…Continue reading »
- When is a significant injustice to a disabled child, not
a significant injustice?with Claire Ryan Every week the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) publishes the latest set of decisions for…Continue reading »
- SEND Inquiry report Part 2: No more reviews, it’s time to ACTThis is the second part in our SEND Inquiry report coverage. See Part one from Matt Keer here It has…Continue reading »
- SEND Inquiry Report: Education committee blasts DfE, LAs and Ofsted over multiple SEND failuresEighteen months ago, the House of Commons Education Select Committee launched a formal inquiry into SEND. The Committee (made up of…Continue reading »
- SNJ Webinar: Successful strategies for EHCP AppealsToday we're announcing our first SNJ webinar! Expert lawyer and SNJ columnist, Hayley Mason of SEN Legal will be explaining…Continue reading »
- Exemplary Practice: Creating a positive future of meaningful work for young people with SENDwith Matt Silver, Head Teacher, Shaftesbury High School, Harrow Recently I put out a call for positive stories of great…Continue reading »
- Ofsted finds home education is most often not a choice – and off-rolling is a key culpritMore evidence that inclusion isn’t working has come from Ofsted, which has published research to show home education is often…Continue reading »
- The DfE wants to stop LAs filling SEND funding gapswith Gillian Doherty, SEND Action Last week, the High Court found against campaign group, SEND Action in their judicial review…Continue reading »
- #WMHD: Preventing suicide in young people‘You will be too much for some people – Those aren’t your people’ Meme It’s #WorldMentalHealthDay 2019 and the focus…Continue reading »
- A setback at the High Court, but parents’ SEND Action goes onToday on SNJ we want to pay tribute to the SEND Action parent campaigners who took the Government to the…Continue reading »
- Disabled children “increasingly failed” as nearly 9 in 10 EHCP Ombudsman complaints upheldThe Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, says 87%, or 9 in 10, of complaints about the Education, Health and…Continue reading »
- It’s back! Put your burning questions about SEND to the Department for EducationIt's back! Once again we are giving you the chance to ask the Department for Education the questions you want…Continue reading »
- Jenna’s 10, has missed two years of school, and is campaigning for SEND inclusionI'd like to introduce you today to 10-year-old Jenna, who has anxiety and ADHD and has missed two years of…Continue reading »
- Public Accounts Committee launches SEND Inquiry (yes another one)Another day, another SEND inquiry. It seems that inquiries into SEND are like buses. None for ages then three come…Continue reading »
- We won a legal point on unlawful exclusion and cleared my disabled son’s nameAdoptive parents expect their new child may deal with issues such as attachment, after living through prior traumatic circumstances, both…Continue reading »
- Are Access Arrangements given unfairly? Three reasons why we need a review of the systemAccess Arrangements are a way to level the playing field in exams when someone has a disability or special educational…Continue reading »
- A free SEND legal advice clinic to guide you through the jungleWhen you find yourself at the start - or even stuck in the middle - of trying to secure the…Continue reading »
- I chose mental health over a prestigious Sixth-Form, that refused to recognise my autismA lesson I recently learned is that sometimes admitting defeat is the best decision you can make. This time last…Continue reading »
- SEND audited: Is the system affordable? What’s the alternative?with contributions from Matt Keer, SNJ Columnist Just last week, Matt mentioned the upcoming report from the National Audit Office…Continue reading »
- SEND Review: A game-changer or playing politics with vulnerable children?While the biggest political and constitutional crisis that anyone can remember rages all around us, ministers resign, MPs are purged…Continue reading »
- The Government must act on legal ruling against discrimination of disabled childrenWith Jane Harris, Director of External Affairs at National Autistic Society Last year we covered a landmark legal ruling that…Continue reading »
- What does ‘£700 million for SEND’ actually mean in reality?4.55pm on a Friday doesn’t normally mean good news for SEND parents. It’s often a time when bad news pitches…Continue reading »
- Will the SEND Inquiry report be drowned in the maelstrom of Brexit? UPDATEDI wrote this post yesterday in the wake of the leak of Government schools funding. This evening, Boris Johnson has…Continue reading »
- Navigating adult mental health services as an autistic young personI go by the name of Philip Milburn but you are welcome to call me Phil, I’ve spent some of…Continue reading »
- SEND Transport: Consultation and Missed opportunitiesYou may have seen recently that the government launched a consultation into revised statutory guidance for local authorities on home…Continue reading »
- SEND crisis: 6000+ SEND appeals is the ‘new normal’ in a ‘broken system’As many of you will know, the SEND system is in crisis. There are more appeals than ever coming before…Continue reading »
- First-time minister given one of the toughest jobs in government: Fixing the #SENDcrisisThe last week has brought a succession of big changes at all levels of government. The appointment of a new…Continue reading »
- Why mixed attainment teaching can benefit children and improve social justiceNEW POST: Should schools use streaming or setting? Views vary but for expert educator, Jules Daulby, it’s pretty clear cut,…Continue reading »
- SEND funding “completely inadequate,” says Education Select Committee reportFor well over a year now, the House of Commons Education Select Committee has been running an inquiry into the…Continue reading »
- Join the SNJ Squad as a “Patron” and get exclusive content!Running SNJ takes time and money. As volunteers, we don't mind spending time making the site as useful as possible,…Continue reading »
- Join the SNJ Squad as a “Patron” and get exclusive content!Tell me more... We’ll never charge for you to read articles on SNJ so everyone can access information whatever their…Continue reading »
- Know your child’s rights to social care supportwith Liz Walker, Care Services Emergency Care Co-ordinator and Safeguarding Lead for Newlife the Charity for Disabled Children Social care…Continue reading »
- All rise! SEND figures go up in 2019For the third year running, the number of pupils with special educational needs (SEND) in schools has increased. In January…Continue reading »
- DfE Research: Mainstream Teaching Assistant cuts negatively impacting SEND pupilsAmy Skipp with Rob Webster, Associate Professor in the Centre for Inclusive Education, UCL Institute of Education At the start…Continue reading »
- Judge: A remarkable achievement for parents to take the government to courtThe judgement in the Judicial Review of a group of parents against the government over SEND funding, has been reserved…Continue reading »
- The government’s legal day of reckoning looms, as families challenge over SEND failuresWhile most of the country’s politicians are fixated on Brexit and BoJo, vulnerable children have been left to bump along…Continue reading »
- England’s children urgently need a new, accountable, speech and language strategyWith Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists chief executive, Kamini Gadhok MBE, and Caroline Wright, policy adviser for children…Continue reading »
- The latest SEND Tribunal figures paint a troubling pictureIt’s raining cats and dogs outside where I live. More happily for me, it’s also raining statistics – the latest…Continue reading »
- The First Breath, How my baby had surgery in the wombwith Olivia Gordon Parents of children with disabilities are known for their generosity in sharing their knowledge to help others.…Continue reading »
- Come and meet the Special Needs Jungle team at The Autism Show this Friday and Saturday!This is just a quick reminder for you. The Special Needs Jungle team is at The Autism Show this Friday…Continue reading »
- Autism and Anxiety: What helps?Anxiety appears to be increasing in children in recent years, or is it perhaps that we just appreciate its existence…Continue reading »
- 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…Continue reading »
- People power! Parents and disabled children march to end the #SENDcrisisWhat a day it was! On Thursday 30th May 2019, up and down the country, parents, children, young people, professionals…Continue reading »
- EHCPs in 2019: Bedded in, or bogged down?Early Thursday morning, whilst thousands of families and allies were preparing to march to draw attention to the national crisis…Continue reading »
- Today we make history, taking to the streets in protest to end the #SENDNationalCrisisToday families of children with SEND—and the children and young people themselves too—are making history. Up and down the country…Continue reading »
- Legal bid to change the way “school refusers” are treatedWe’re seeing increasing numbers of parents feeling forced to crowdfund to help secure justice for special educational needs educational issues…Continue reading »
- SEND success is a journey, apparently, one with no end in sight“It’s a journey.” That’s what SEND minister Nadhim Zahawi said, repeatedly, at the final hearing of the House of Commons…Continue reading »
- SEND inquiry takedown: Parents Vs DfEThere have been close to 700 pieces of evidence (and counting) sent in to the SEND Inquiry. Tomorrow, the Department…Continue reading »
- The SEND crib sheet: How you can help school help your disabled childBack when my youngest was in mainstream, he didn’t yet have statutory support. Although the infant feeder school would have…Continue reading »
- The emotional impact of parenting a disabled childInstead of writing my own post for Mental Health Week, I’d like to share my column today with Jo Griffin,…Continue reading »
- Mum’s brilliant home education helped me thrive as an autistic studentYou may have noticed we've been featuring more young people recently. It's a deliberate move to broaden the the conversation…Continue reading »
- Scrap league tables and boost SEND training to beat off-rollingNo sooner had the Exclusions Review announced that off-rolling of pupils is “rare”, Ofsted comes along with research that indicates…Continue reading »
- The Exclusions Review tries hard but falls short of a fix"Schools must be places that are welcoming and respectful, where every child has the opportunity to succeed. To ensure this…Continue reading »
- The DfE’s out of SEND Funding ideas. Can you help out?Last week, the Department for Education put out a call for evidence about SEND funding. What are they asking about,…Continue reading »
- Are EHCP Annual Reviews being unlawfully delayed by too-busy LAs?When my sons had their first annual review after their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), it happened roughly on…Continue reading »
- Poor leadership and SEND law ignorance fails disabled childrenAnyone who has had to grapple with the SEND system to get their child’s needs acknowledged and met knows that…Continue reading »
- Celebrating #roarsome children with undiagnosed genetic conditionsIt’s Undiagnosed Children's Day. It is hard to believe that it was seven years ago that Lauren (now of SWAN…Continue reading »
- Restrictive Interventions: We need to change the way we thinkWith Elly Chapple, parent of a disabled daughter Elly Chapple is back with a hugely important topic. We’ve recently been…Continue reading »
- We’re the country’s future. We demand our right to a properly funded education!Imagine living in a country where the government and politicians are robbing their youth of their futures? Where budget cuts…Continue reading »
- Does spending time with peers help autistic people to improve their social ‘skills’?I’m sharing this post with my 19-year-old autistic son, Philip, who is looking for the experiences of other autistics who've…Continue reading »
- SEND National Crisis: Marching for our disabled children’s futureWe’ve written many posts here on SNJ about the funding crisis. Renata and I also joined the NEU organised event…Continue reading »
- Parents warn Ofsted it’s missing chances to boost inclusionA few weeks ago, we ran an open letter from a SEND parent, Claire Ryan, to Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, Amanda…Continue reading »
- SEND inspections: what do Ofsted and CQC inspectors really think?There have been a few happenings recently that I have intended to write about but meetings and other commitments, plus…Continue reading »
- Visit The Autism Show 2019 (and meet SNJ too!)We’re excited to be able to be at The Autism Show, the national event for autism, in London this year!…Continue reading »
- Creating a PDA coping system, after CAMHS’ strategies failed my sonWe’re hearing much more in the last few years about Pathological Demand Avoidance, a condition on the autism spectrum, although…Continue reading »
- Social skills: How to understand and support autistic studentsby Georgia Harper [su_note note_color="#F9FEF5" text_color="#000000" radius="1"]Georgia Harper is 24 years old and lives and works in London. She is…Continue reading »
- An inspector calls. Again. But are they improving SEND provision?Matt Keer looks at the latest picture for the SEND inspections and re-visits. It iisn’t a pretty picture in many…Continue reading »
- SENCO basics: My research defining the role of the modern SENCOTania’s note: Hannah Moloney was the author of a research study into the SENCo workload that I wrote about on…Continue reading »
- Children with SEND and the emotional impact on parentsI recently came across a research article in the British Journal of Special Education entitled, Children with SEND and the…Continue reading »
- Is Ofsted a “force for good” in improving the education of SEND learners?Ofsted’s draft Education Inspection Framework and School Inspection Handbook are currently out for consultation. An Ofsted inspection is a critical…Continue reading »
- See Us, Hear Us: Supporting siblings of seriously ill childrenAs many parents who read our articles can tell you, when a child has a serious illness, their normal family…Continue reading »
- Speech, Language and Communication: any improvement since #Bercow10YearsOn?Speech, language and communication is fundamental to children's development. Children with underdeveloped SLCN skills (which is more common that you…Continue reading »
- SEND parents tell Ofsted its new draft inspection framework lets vulnerable learners downParents of disabled children have voiced their anger over Ofsted's new draft education Inspection Framework for England, that's under consultation…Continue reading »
- The power of pacing: Managing energy with a rare disease or chronic illnessIt’s Rare Disease Day, something we traditionally mark, with both Renata's and my own family being affected by rare conditions…Continue reading »
- Shane’s story of being autistic in school: ‘I was the odd one in the class’:Tania’s note: My ASD youngest often complains to me about hearing only the parent voice and not the young person…Continue reading »
- Ready for school? The importance of Early Years learningThe issue of children arriving at school without being able to speak in full sentences and lacking basic age-appropriate skills…Continue reading »
- Keeping up with the politics of SENDOh it’s all going on in the world of politics isn’t it? Labour Party defections, Brexit shenanigans… it’s almost as…Continue reading »
- The thorny issue of attendance awards and children with SENDIf your child has a SEND or a medical condition, it's very likely they will need time out of school…Continue reading »
- Phase Transfer deadline: what to do if your child’s EHCP isn’t finalised on timeThe transfer deadline day for all settings except post-16, is fast approaching! If your child is transferring between phases of…Continue reading »
- The Deafblind world: The ‘Shoeness’ of a ShoeImagine a world you can neither see nor hear, yet you must find a way to grow and thrive within…Continue reading »
- Help get support right from the start for autistic childrenLast week, I attended the first meeting for a new Reference Group "Right from the Start" established by the charity,…Continue reading »
- Coming to terms with your child’s hidden Special Educational Needs.Not all Special Educational Needs are immediately obvious. Some are initially hidden, such as dyslexia, autism or ADHD. When parents…Continue reading »
- How can children be traumatised just by going to school?In a post titled Send Children Being Traumatised By Not Getting Help Needed in School, Tania recently touched on the subject of…Continue reading »
- Getting Help with EHCPs: Be Careful Out There!Just before Christmas, we took a look at some of the latest figures to come out of the Special Educational…Continue reading »
- SEND parents of school refusers criminalised instead of supportedwith Rona Epstein, University of Coventry, Coventry Law School University researchers have discovered that most of the children of parents…Continue reading »
- SEND children are being “traumatised” by not getting the help they need in schoolsWatching the parliament TV broadcasts of the SEN Inquiry has been an interesting affair, but yesterday’s brought tears of outrage…Continue reading »
- The SENCo – parent relationship: Making it work to benefit the SEND childSNJ is read by lots of SENCos and other school staff, which is pretty amazing, considering it started out as…Continue reading »
- Plans and promises: Will the new NHS really be brighter for disabled children?Earlier this week the NHS’s Long Term Plan was published. It’s a pretty big document and, as I’ve been away,…Continue reading »
- I think my child has a special educational need. What can I do?So often on SNJ we talk about the difficulties faced when getting SEND help. But if you're new to the…Continue reading »
2018
- The SEND Jungle 2018: The year parents roaredIt’s been an incredible year in the SEND world, but not because the system has started to work better, or…Continue reading »
- School can demoralise autistic students, help me celebrate our neurodivsersity!Tania's note: We recently featured a post from autistic teenager, Siena Castellon, about her fabulous anti-bullying work. Siena is now…Continue reading »
- A new SEND future promised…but councils are still parent-blamingWhen I wrote the Sunday article, the LGA report had not yet been released, but perusing it since has brought…Continue reading »
- Early Christmas for SEND, or Scrooge dressed up as Santa?The Department for Education has announced a £350 million funding package to support children with complex needs and disabilities, along…Continue reading »
- What costs £103.7 million and makes disabled children miserable?,, Whether you’re a SEND parent or SEND professional, you’re probably running on vapour right now as we come to…Continue reading »
- Using the Monitoring Officer to hold councils to account for housing, education and social servicesIf you're wondering how you could to hold your local authority to account for not obeying the law or refusing…Continue reading »
- Why consistency in parenting is vital, especially for children with challenging behavioursWe have adopted a cat, or rather he has adopted us. We' re no strangers to owning cats, but this…Continue reading »
- The struggle in SEND hurts us all. It’s a sign of society gone wrongYesterday I was interviewed by BBC TV news about the Ofsted Annual report. It’s not an unusual occurrence, being contacted…Continue reading »
- My “control freak’s guide” for my disabled daughter’s dignity and care in hospitalThe thing that worries me most about my disabled daughter as she gets older is who will understand her. Who…Continue reading »
- The devastating impact of the SENCo workload70% of SENCOs responding to a national survey said they don't have enough time to complete the demands of the…Continue reading »
- Misinformation and misconceptions: Busting some SEND law mythsAs many of you will know, half of the battle of getting support for your disabled child is getting people…Continue reading »
- ATU Autism scandal: PDA Society calls for Rescue Mission. You can helpIf you've been following the horrific stories of young people with autism who are locked away or who have died…Continue reading »
- Will teachers strike over cuts to SEND and schools? Education union leaders tell us ‘Enough is enough’Earlier this week an estimated one-thousand parents, teachers and teaching unions took part in a march and rally, through the…Continue reading »
- Nine out of 10 parents fear for their deaf child’s education amid the SEND crisisLet’s walk in a parallel world for a bit. A world where there’s never been a better time to be…Continue reading »
- Half-a-billion pound funding gap for SEND says Local Government AssociationCouncils are facing a projected shortfall in SEND funding in England of £536 million for this year, according to the…Continue reading »
- “I’ve been bullied at school for most of my life” How Siena’s helping other autistic young people like herTania's note: I really value being able to feature the voice of young people with SEND on SNJ, as we…Continue reading »
- Reviews: Maths for SpLD, + 101 inclusive Science and Computing lessonsA new giveaway today – in fact, TWO! Two SEN books for one for maths, and one covering science and…Continue reading »
- Are Early Years funding changes destroying nursery SEND provision?There have been a number of surveys recently about funding for council-run nurseries, with fears that their SEND provision is…Continue reading »
- Making secondary schools more inclusive. What’s your experience?We've heard a lot about inclusive schools and how many parents have struggled to find one for their child. It's…Continue reading »
- Ambitious about an education: A young autistic woman’s experienceRecently, I took part in an Ambitious About Autism panel debate about the difficulties faced by young autistic people to…Continue reading »
- United voices making a stand for our SEND childrenIt's been a huge week for SEND so far. Not only have there been stories across mainstream media, including this…Continue reading »
- End of austerity? Not for children, 120 children’s organisations tell the governmentSpecial Needs Jungle has joined more than 120 national organisations demanding that the Government stop ignoring compelling evidence that essential…Continue reading »
- Updated EHCP Flow charts and a brand new one for the Annual Review!The EHCP process flow charts that we collaborated with the Department for Education on in 2014 had become out of…Continue reading »
- Does your school’s website break the law?An interesting, if limited, study has been published by the government. entitled "Mental health and wellbeing provision in schools, Review of published policies…Continue reading »
- Teens and mental health: being a supportive parent in a wild online worldBase photo: Allison Griffith, Unsplash Poor mental health among young people is a huge, and growing, problem. The causes are…Continue reading »
- SEND emergency! SNJ joins the campaign of the UK’s biggest teaching union to fight the cutsThe pressure is mounting on Damian Hinds, the Education Secretary to act now to solve the crisis in SEND funding.…Continue reading »
- Help SEND parents legally challenge the government over national funding crisisThe Department for Education has been put on notice: parents have had enough of government and local authorities speaking with…Continue reading »
- SEND Inspections: Moving ahead but illegality must be called outAccountability is not a word that parents often used to associate with the world of special educational needs and disability.…Continue reading »
- UK holiday attractions: Gold stars or banana skins for accessibility?Now that we’ve saved goodbye to the summer holidays, I was interested to know which UK attractions parents of disabled…Continue reading »
- Adventures of the sensory kind for National Multi-Sensory Storytelling DayThe 24th of September is National Multi-Sensory Storytelling Day and I'd like to tell you about an exciting event to…Continue reading »
- Help! I’m a parent carer and I’m on my VERY last nerve!With contributions from Angel Kelly, SNJ Mental Health Editor It’s not just tough physically being a parent of a disabled…Continue reading »
- Book Review: PDA by PDAersThis post is sponsored by JKP Publishers* I have a lot of neurodivergence in my life and I can’t pin…Continue reading »
- SEND System ‘in crisis’ say Head TeachersThe National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has branded England's SEND, 'a system in crisis'. From over 600 responses to…Continue reading »
- SEND Update: Good intentions…and complaints for young people with SENDA brief update today. Despite it being the middle of summer, the Department for Education is still pumping out information that…Continue reading »
- Why your instababy snaps could spell danger to looked-after childrenoI am a sensory engagement specialist. I spend a lot of my time looking at how our early sensory experiences…Continue reading »
- Against Human Rights: Landmark ruling against school exclusion for behaviour related to autismThousands of children with disabilities will now be properly protected from discrimination in schools after a landmark ruling found the…Continue reading »
- Legal victory for Bristol parents against SEND cuts – what does it mean for other areas?Last Friday, the High Court handed down a judgment with far-reaching implications for families of children & young people…Continue reading »
- Balancing the needs of siblings, when one has ADHDIn a class of 30+ children, a teacher’s prime objective is to make sure that everyone is working to the…Continue reading »
- How SEND parent support in England is changing, by Christine LenehanFor the first four years of the reformed SEND system in England, families had available to them a free Independent…Continue reading »
- SEND 2018: More children with SEND, but it’s worse if you’re poorIt’s the end of July so it must be time for the annual SEND figures – the government statistics that…Continue reading »
- Parents’ top tips for summer serendipity with your disabled childAh, the school summer holidays, don’t you just love them? Six, long, glorious weeks of unstructured days stretching out before…Continue reading »
- Exclusions 2018: Children with SEND six times more likely to be excludedPupils with SEND are up to six times more likely to be permanently excluded from school according to new government…Continue reading »
- £1.5 billion funding gap for disabled children’s services in the UKAs if we're not already drowning in enough bad news about how disabled children and their families are bearing the…Continue reading »
- £600 million SEND reforms: Disabled children have had poor value for moneyMoney. A chorus of voices are speaking up, telling us there’s not enough of it. Parents, teachers, unions, local authorities,…Continue reading »
- SEND Inquiry: The Baroness, Brian, the man in the middle and much more..The first hearings into the SEND inquiry were held before the Education Select Committee this week. Three esteemed witnesses were…Continue reading »
- Challenge to the law that doesn’t protect disabled children from exclusionParents of an autistic teenager are going to the Upper Tribunal today to appeal a decision that they say discriminates…Continue reading »
- Survey: Parents have lost confidence in their disabled children’s health and social care servicesParent-carers’ confidence in the quality of disabled children’s health and social care services is at an all-time low with almost…Continue reading »
- Review: The A-Z of Therapeutic ParentingThe A-Z of Therapeutic Parenting, by Sarah Naish (JKP Publishing) is one of those books where the title doesn’t do it…Continue reading »
- Matching needs with provision to make a dog’s doodah EHCP (Part 2)This is the follow up post about the dog's breakfast EHCPs produced by Oldham. In part one, I outlined what's…Continue reading »
- Taking a stand against the dog’s breakfast EHCPs of Oldham (part 1)I’ve seen a fair few EHC Plans now – those of the pupils at Bright Futures School (BFS), those of children…Continue reading »
- Ten top tips to get a ‘good’ Education, Health and Care Plan for your childMany of you will have seen Nadhim Zahawi MP – the current Children and Families Minister, talking on BBC…Continue reading »
- Don’t mock my son’s talent just because it’s his autistic giftWe're not usually mocked for something we're particularly talented at. Yet today's guest post, from SEND blogger, itmustbemum, is about…Continue reading »
- Disabled Person’s Trusts: When making a will is not enoughBefore you have children, we have a reasonable expectation that they will grow up, leave home and live their own…Continue reading »
- Shocking rise in autistic pupils being excluded from England’s schoolsWe've seen for some time the rise in children with special educational needs and disabilities, particularly autism, who end up…Continue reading »
- The secrets and lies of special needs and disabilityA secret: Confidential, untold, not to be made public. In other words something to be hidden. A lie: To speak falsely or…Continue reading »
- Finding support for raising girls on the autistic spectrumWe've written before about girls on the autistic spectrum a few times before and, of course, I am one myself…Continue reading »
- £50 million extra for SEND school places and facilities. But will it help inclusion?As you will have seen from Matt's article last week about the number of Education, Health and Care Plans being…Continue reading »
- EHCPs in 2018: Are we ‘bedded in’ yet?It’s the second May Bank Holiday – and for sad people like me, that means a special treat. Because that’s…Continue reading »
- Book review: How to raise a happy autistic childThere are a plethora of books about autism, written by academics or by parents telling their personal story in the…Continue reading »
- How do expectations influence disabled young people’s educational attainment?Tania's note: The statistics speak for themselves:17% of all adults with a learning disability in England are in paid work.…Continue reading »
- 70% of children with Pathological Demand Avoidance missing out on educationPathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), a profile of the autistic spectrum, has been increasingly recognised in the medical profession in recent…Continue reading »
- Stress and parenting: Don’t fall into the guilt trapIt's Mental Health Awareness Week from 14-18 May. The Mental Health Foundation is a UK charity that promotes good mental…Continue reading »
- SEND update: Parental support and EHCP transfer miraclesTime for a quick update on what's happening in the world of SEND for you today. A while ago, we…Continue reading »
- “Forget the Health and Care and just call them Education Plans”: SENCOs’ perspectives on EHCPsNew research from the Centre for Research in Autism and Education has explored what SENCOs think about Education, Health and Care…Continue reading »
- Seeing the view from the other side of the parent-teacher divide‘Teachers leave them kids alone’, the line from Pink Floyd's Another Brick in the Wall, must resonate with some parents…Continue reading »
- Ofsted/CQC inspections MUST become a permanent part of SEND. Here’s why.We’re almost two years on from the biggest change to SEND accountability in a generation – the introduction of local…Continue reading »
- Undiagnosed, but Dottie’s condition affects the whole family6,000 children are born in the UK each year with a syndrome without a name – a genetic condition so…Continue reading »
- Truth and Tails, four fab books for teaching children about diversityToday one lucky reader gets one set of Truth and Tails stories by Alice Reeves*, illustrated by Phoebe Kirk and…Continue reading »
- The legal loophole that’s stopping young disabled people from getting to schoolFor local authorities, school transport is one of the most expensive part of providing support for children with disabilities. Often…Continue reading »
- National SEND Inquiry: House of Commons Education Committee calls for evidenceThe House of Commons Education Committee has launched an inquiry into support for children and young people with special educational needs…Continue reading »
- Struggling for work-life balance as a mum with a disabled child – and a career I loveWorking and parenthood is the biggest balancing act for so many families. That goes double when your child has a…Continue reading »
- FestABLE, the accessible SEND conference with families at its heartEver looked at all these SEND conferences that get held around the country and wondered why they always seem to…Continue reading »
- Happy 10th birthday SNJ! SEND then and now…Happy birthday to us! 10 years ago today, I started writing down some information about how I had successfully got…Continue reading »
- My autistic son is desperate for a friend, but other kids won’t accept his differencesIf, like me, you were a bit 'different' at school, you'll know the loneliness of being the last one picked,…Continue reading »
- How to use the law to fight local SEND cuts: ACT NOW!Tania's note: On Monday, we published a post asking you to send us your evidence for cuts to SEND where…Continue reading »
- The logic of autism: Fighting fear by studying my son’s ASDOften, parents who have a child with autism are driven to learn more about the condition in a more academic…Continue reading »
- Getting the national picture: Tell us your local SEND funding cuts storiesby Tania Tirraoro and Matt Keer Tania: There is a national SEND funding crisis - we know this, but it seems…Continue reading »
- Hidden isolation: When autism can make leaving the house impossibleHow do you feel when your train or bus is suddenly diverted, delayed or cancelled? For most people, it's incredibly…Continue reading »
- Moving on from #Bercow10: What next for Speech and Language Therapy?Recently, a review was published by the children's communications charity, I CAN and Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists to…Continue reading »
- While you’re reviewing “Children in Need”, can you fix SEND too please?Recently, the government announced a multi-pronged review to, "transform education for children with additional needs and ambitious plans to improve…Continue reading »
- The National SEND Tribunal Trial: what does it mean for families?The National Trial which extends the powers of the First-tier (SEND) Tribunal to make non-binding recommendations about the health and…Continue reading »
- 21 Resources for Trisomy 21 on World Down Syndrome DayEach year families, educators and charities come together to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on 21st March. The date was…Continue reading »
- SEN Support in schools: Finding out what works in practiceTania’s note: We concentrate a lot on EHCPs on this blog, but far more children are on lower levels of…Continue reading »
- Review: 101 Inclusive and SEN Maths and English LessonsJessica Kingsley have published two easy-to-use SEN lesson books, 101 Inclusive & SEN English lessons and the same title for…Continue reading »
- One parent’s seven steps to success for her autistic son’s EHCPWe have another useful post for you today. Many parents find it difficult to navigate the SEND system and we…Continue reading »
- LA Watch: Dodgy SEND policies, parent power and how to fight the cuts!One of the joys of being a parent of a child with special educational needs is working out why schools…Continue reading »
- Partnering with clinicians to reverse Rett, my daughter’s rare disease“Did you say ‘Retz Syndrome’? How do you spell it?” These were the questions I asked the neurologist who speculated…Continue reading »
- Abigail’s rare childhood disease that she won’t outgrowIt's Rare Disease Day this week and evey year we like to highlight the day, on 28th February, by telling…Continue reading »
- The DfE replies: Accountability in SENDThis is our final instalment of the answers supplied by the Department for Education to your questions. We grouped your…Continue reading »
- The DfE replies: EHCP issuesToday is the second instalment of your answers to the questions you put to the Department for Education last year.…Continue reading »
- The Department for Education replies. 1: SEND ProvisionLast year, the Department for Education offered to answer SNJ readers' questions about SEND. It's not the first time they've done…Continue reading »
- Special educational needs reforms in Wales: All change for ALNEngland isn't the only country in the UK to be going through reforms in special educational needs. As Cardiff-based SEN…Continue reading »
- Refused an EHC assessment or unhappy with the plan? Read our next steps“The Local Authority refused to assess my child for an EHC Needs Assessment," “I have an unacceptable EHC Plan”and “The…Continue reading »
- The stories that prove dyslexia is a superpower!We have a book review today about dyslexia written by children with dyslexia. The author, Margaret Rooke, whose daughter is…Continue reading »
- Why boosting internet safety and promoting children’s mental health go hand in handIt’s Children’s Mental Health Week, and the charity, Place2Be, have themed 2018 for children, young people and adults to celebrate…Continue reading »
- Top tips for working on your child’s speech and language targetsThe speech therapy process is very much a collaborative one. Even if your child is lucky enough to get regular…Continue reading »
- How I learned to take the best advice (and ignore the rest) when raising my ADHD sonIn my first post on top tips for parenting a child with challenging behaviours, I suggested that you: Seek support…Continue reading »
- Speak your truth on MORE plans to transform children’s mental health careMental Health is one of the most challenging areas of the NHS, especially when it comes to providing effective, compassionate…Continue reading »
- Legal grey zone lets health body strip vital funding from disabled childrenDominic is 11 and now in his final year at a mainstream primary school. He is very happy there and…Continue reading »
- The DfE on the EHCP transfer deadline. Plus all change for national SEND support servicesFollowing Matt's post last week about Transfer Deadlines and zombie statements, we got in touch with the Department for Education…Continue reading »
- Nancy’s tips for writing an EHCP parental statementOne of the things I get asked regularly, in my capacity of mother of an older child with Down’s syndrome,…Continue reading »
- Reforms, what reforms? Lancashire fails SEND children and mistreats parentsJust over a year ago, I wrote about the dreadful SEND inspection report for Surrey from Ofsted/CQC, as part of…Continue reading »
- Zombie Statements: Councils to miss legal EHCP transfer deadline for thousands of childrenAfter a turbulent 2017, we’re all hoping for better things for the world of SEND this year. But however things…Continue reading »
- SEND on the rocks: Can a new minister rescue the reforms from certain disaster?It's all change at the Department for Education. Not only was Justine Greening knocked off her stool as Education Secretary…Continue reading »
- Good news to inspire your SEND parenting in 2018We hear all the time about the bad things that are happening in the world of special educational needs and…Continue reading »
- 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"…Continue reading »
2017
- SNJ in 2017: Revealing the truth & explaining the facts about SEND2017 has been, I'm sorry to say, a year of almost unrelenting misery for families of children with special educational…Continue reading »
- Merry Christmas from SNJ: Here’s some brilliant SEND videos you won’t want to miss!It's our last post before we take a break for Christmas. It's an opportunity for me to bring you three…Continue reading »
- The £70 million council costs of fighting – and losing – against parents at the SEND TribunalWe all know that money's tight in public services, not least in providing for children with disabilities. It's not surprising…Continue reading »
- Shining a light on the stars of speech, language and communication**update: Closing date now 25th January! ** Get nominating!** As we have the past two years, we are again helping…Continue reading »
- A sensory being’s Christmas wish listRecently I posted a Christmas Shopping List on Facebook that has done its best to go viral. As someone who…Continue reading »
- Seven tips for a calm Christmas for children with special needsKids love Christmas, don’t they? You’d think so, but for many children with autism or other disabilities, it’s often edged…Continue reading »
- Have a care for the carers working 100-hour weeksFour years ago, we were on our metaphorical knees. The previous 18 months of getting a diagnosis, attending endless medical…Continue reading »
- Battle of The Bands: The rise of ‘banding’ for funding SENDIs your child getting an EHCP? Have you talked to your school about SEND support recently? Has your LA tried…Continue reading »
- Parliament autism group calls for more autism training, speedier support, more understandingA couple of months ago, accompanied by my younger child, I attended the All Party Parliamentary Group on Autism in…Continue reading »
- Tips for spotting the signs of dyslexia in a child or young personOne in ten of us are affected by dyslexia. While many schools have got much better at spotting a potentially…Continue reading »
- NHS liaison: The Designated Clinical /Medical Officer for SENDAs some of you may know, I have been doing my bit to help improve local SEND where I live…Continue reading »
- Is there meaningful accountability for illegal exclusions?Over the years Special Needs Jungle has frequently highlighted the unacceptable practice of illegally excluding children with special educational needs…Continue reading »
- My child still has a Statement of SEN: What should I do?For all parents of children/young persons who currently have a Statement of Special Educational Needs, your local authority is required…Continue reading »
- What causes autism… what doesn’t?If your child has been diagnosed with autism and you’re wondering what could have caused it, I would strongly recommend…Continue reading »
- Book reviews: Kids in the Syndrome Mix and All Birds Have AnxietyBook review of Kids in the Syndrome Mix of ADHD, LD, Autism Spectrum, Tourette’s, Anxiety, and More! By Martin L…Continue reading »
- 10 tips for parenting a child whose behaviour is challengingTania's note: Difficult or challenging behaviour can be one of toughest things you can face as a parent of a…Continue reading »
- Book review: Special Educational Needs and Legal EntitlementToday we have another review for you of an essential SEND Legal Handbook: Special Educational Needs and Legal Entitlement. The…Continue reading »
- Our Ofsted/CQC Facebook chat: What you asked and they answeredOur Facebook chat last week had a pretty overwhelming response, thank you to everyone who participated. We had a bit…Continue reading »
- SEND Tribunal will rule on EHCP health and social care issues in extended trialWhen you appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) SEND Tribunal about an issue surrounding a child or young person's Education, Health…Continue reading »
- The SEND system is fractured, if not broken. Three new reports prove it.SEND reports are like buses. Nothing for ages, then one, two and now three come along at once, this latest…Continue reading »
- Ofsted SEND Facebook chat to be hosted by Special Needs Jungle!As you may have seen at the end of our post on the Ofsted/CQC one year on report, we're delighted…Continue reading »
- Ofsted and CQC report on one year of SEND inspections. It isn’t pretty.Yesterday we ran a disturbing survey saying two-thirds of school leaders didn’t feel they were sufficiently supported to give the…Continue reading »
- Two-thirds of England’s schools lack support for best outcomes for SEND pupilsA survey of more than 1,000 school leaders has revealed that more than two-thirds (68%) say they lack the support…Continue reading »
- Does child protection guidance discriminate against disabled children?Safeguarding has become such an integral part of the language we use about children that it is hard to remember…Continue reading »
- Schools breaking the law on helping children with medical conditionsA report published by Young Epilepsy says one in three schools in England are effectively breaking the law by not…Continue reading »
- Post-Rochford, will primary SEND really improve?with Simon Knight, Whole School SEND The best thing about going to SEND conferences isn't just having the opportunity to…Continue reading »
- What does it take to get a disabled child to preschool?In our summer SEND blogger showcase, we featured Alex Davey's blog, The Long Chain. Alex has three children, the middle of…Continue reading »
- School leadership and SEND ignoranceIn an earlier SNJ blog in 2015 I wrote about the critical role of the SENCO in schools. The SEN…Continue reading »
- Why sixty minutes of low-sensory shopping will be bliss for my autistic son and me.I bet many, many parents of children on the autism spectrum can relate to the hideousness of having your child…Continue reading »
- Our wish for a mainstream school turned into a nightmareWe really want to be able to bring you stories of great experiences of the SEND system by families. Sadly,…Continue reading »
- Put your question about SEND to the Department for Education (2017)Renata and I recently visited the Department for Education and met with the Director of SEND, Ann Gross and Dan…Continue reading »
- Steph’s chronicle of her family’s journey through SEND, cancer and lossRenata and I first met Steph Nimmo back in 2013 at the Department for Education when a group of SEND bloggers…Continue reading »
- Deputyship and mental capacity for young people at the SEND TribunalDeputyship- Don't wait till it's too late As many of you will know, the Children and Families Act (CFA) 2014…Continue reading »
- SEND and Discrimination in Schools, A Legal Handbook, review.We're delighted to be able to offer a discount for this truly fantastic book, Special Educational Needs and Discrimination, Authors: Sarah…Continue reading »
- UK government is failing disabled children says United NationsIt’s pretty shameful really, what the UN said about the UK’s treatment of people with disabilities. Last week, as part of…Continue reading »
- The worrying trend of social care tactics to target SEND ‘problem parents’Recently on SNJ's Facebook page, someone accused us of being too hard on local authorities who were 'trying their best'.…Continue reading »
- SEND Blogger showcase 4: Rainbows, Broccoli and WristbandsAnd now, what better day to bring you our final fabulous SEND Blogger showcase of this summer than on the…Continue reading »
- Home to school transport policies “inaccurate and inadequate”So many families of disabled children rely on home to school transport. Whether it's a shared taxi, minibus or a…Continue reading »
- Fighting for my disabled child’s right to summer funTania's note: Today we're welcoming a new columnist to SNJ, Catriona Moore. Catriona is the parent of a child with…Continue reading »
- Bring your child’s teacher to Whole School SEND’s second summit for free!Earlier this year, we ran a ticket giveaway for pairs of parents and teachers for the Whole School SEND Summit,…Continue reading »
- SEND Blogger Showcase 3: Life and ASC & A Wheelie Great AdventureWelcome to the third in our SEND blogger spotlights! Today we feature two more bloggers, Helen, who blogs about life…Continue reading »
- IAS Service: Supporting families of children with SENDWhen you need help or advice as a parent about your child or adolescent's education or difficulties with special educational…Continue reading »
- SEND Blogger showcase 2: Mum On A Mission & Our Altered LifeToday we have the second in our August SEND blogger showcase and we're so delighted to be able to share…Continue reading »
- Would you want your child to be on a national GP autism register?Would you want your autistic child (or yourself if you're autistic) to be on a national autism register? The National…Continue reading »
- SEND blogger showcase: itmustbemum & The Long ChainWhen I started out blogging here on SNJ, before social sharing was a 'thing', there really wasn't anyone else out…Continue reading »
- Choosing a mainstream school for my disabled childThe issue of the type of placement for a child with special educational needs or disabilities can be a thorny…Continue reading »
- SEND in England, 2017: More in Independents, fewer in AcademiesAnother day another set of figures to wade through... this time though, it's the annual school SEND figures from the…Continue reading »
- Horror stories: Recent SEND research for your summer readingDear reader, I am sorry, but I have failed you. A clutch of research reports about SEND have been recently…Continue reading »
- LA watch: Beware the EHCP Assessment Exception “loophole”It’s the last week of the year in most English schools. A week to take things a bit easier, tidy…Continue reading »
- End of school SEND report: Must try harderIt's the end of the school year and children are arriving home up and down the land with their school…Continue reading »
- Hayley’s EHCP Save-Our-Sanity SOS planIt seems that at every milestone and crossroads in your child’s life, your pride, relief and excitement at their achievements…Continue reading »
- Helping autistic children experience the joy of connectionRecently Lucy has started to experience-share more with us at Bright Futures School. She has come a long, long way…Continue reading »
- Going to Uni: The Disabled Students Allowance assessmentIt’s all change for us this September at home, as Youngest heads off to start a three year BSc at…Continue reading »
- How I became a better child physio after parenting my sick newbornWe love sharing good practice with you that can help both parents and professionals offer improve the lives of children…Continue reading »
- Overcoming barriers to help my deaf children succeedI’ve got two deaf boys. They’re brighter than I am. They’re more determined than I am. They work harder in…Continue reading »
- The Secret Life of Holly, from the Disabled Children’s PartnershipIn England today, there is an unacceptable gap between the quality of life and opportunities available for disabled children, when…Continue reading »
- Key points of SEN Support in schools: What it is and how it should workIn Tuesday’s post on the outcomes for children and young people with SEND but no EHCP I concluded by drawing…Continue reading »
- SEN Support: Poorer outcomes when needs aren’t thoroughly assessedLast week I wrote about the problems facing parents of children in mainstream school whose special needs have been persistently…Continue reading »
- Exploring Autism and Music, a chance to listen, learn and participateResearch into different aspects of autism can reveal many unexpected and interesting findings, which can sometimes help to improve the lives…Continue reading »
- Fixing our broken SEND system: The next Minister’s ‘To Do’ listOn the morning of the General Election, Thursday 8th June, I supported a parent in a meeting with her school’s…Continue reading »
- Helping carers and disabled children with QigongWe are all living in stressful times. World events, both near and far, can leave us feeling anxious, fearful and…Continue reading »
- Irlen syndrome: a screener’s perspectiveBack in 2012, we ran a parent story about her son's difficulties, "When the words move by themselves – it…Continue reading »
- How do you help a disadvantaged child build confidence and find success? [Conference]Aside from having a special educational need or disability, one of the biggest barriers to success at school is your…Continue reading »
- SEND 2017, the state of the special educational needs system revealedThe annual figures for special educational needs came out yesterday and I spent the day poring over them and making…Continue reading »
- The SNJ #GE2017 Manifesto for Special Educational Needs and DisabilityYou can’t have failed to notice that, here in the UK, we’re hurtling towards the snap general election called for…Continue reading »
- Tackling the lack of diversity in books for deaf childrenIt's Deaf Awareness Week and a new book has been published, written to boost deaf awareness and tackle the lack of…Continue reading »
- The frustration and heartbreak of Pathological Demand AvoidanceWe've covered Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), which is a condition on the autistic spectrum, a few times on SNJ and…Continue reading »
- Good mental health support needs one thing: proper fundingIt’s Mental Health Awareness Week. Depression is the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide. According to the latest…Continue reading »
- 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…Continue reading »
- Your views invited to help set the agenda for Whole School SENDLast month Barney and I participated in the Whole School SEND Summit, spreading our message in a roundtable at the…Continue reading »
- Explaining new funding rules for early years children with SENDFunding is always a hot topic in local authorities and schools and nowhere more so than in special educational needs. From…Continue reading »
- Tilly’s “tried on” lots of diagnoses, but none fit her mystery ultra-rare conditionHappy Undiagnosed Children's Day! Did you know that around 6,000 children are born in the UK each year with a…Continue reading »
- Who’s writing your child’s EHCP? Your outsourcing questions answeredAbout six months ago, SNJ began looking into something that local authorities have become increasingly keen on - outsourcing the…Continue reading »
- Special needs lawyer calls for election pledge to solve SEND disarrayA young lawyer specialising in special educational needs, who himself has SpLD, has warned the parties in the upcoming election urgent…Continue reading »
- A young autistic campaigner asks, What’s ‘normal’ anyway?I've always found normal to be rather dull. But I have children with autism and a diagnosis myself, so maybe…Continue reading »
- Inclusion and putting the ‘Disability’ back into SENDTania writes: A leading advocate for inclusive education, Richard Reiser, says he is increasingly concerned about the direction of inclusion…Continue reading »
- Holly’s autism film starring role helped raise her classmates’ awarenessLast week, I said Autism Awareness had graduated from a day to a week. Dear reader, I was wrong. It's…Continue reading »
- To medicate my anxious child or not. It’s an emotive questionMy son, Monty, has autism as well as many other, co-morbid conditions. Co-morbidities are conditions which overlap with the ASD…Continue reading »
- Speech, language and communication needs: have your say and help change the futureWe've covered the Bercow: Ten Years On review last year, when Barney looked at its recommendations a decade ago and what…Continue reading »
- Two-thirds of parents were happy with their 2015 EHCP experience…Along with the slew of information released by the DfE last week came a very long, detailed survey of family experience…Continue reading »
- Act now to protect the NHS funding of rare disease medicines like Ava’sHaving a child with rare disease can mean that you are given very little information about their condition. Parent carers find…Continue reading »
- Tribunal research shows getting it right at the start improves disabled children’s outcomesThe most consistently effective way to resolve disagreements about SEND is to appeal to the Tribunal, according to the evidence…Continue reading »
- Children with SEND risk rejection by mainstream schools over funding gapPupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are at risk of being turned away by mainstream schools due to…Continue reading »
- Is autism a difference or a disorder? The truth is in-betweenI don't think anyone is unaware of the word 'autism' these days. The problem still lies in understanding how vast a…Continue reading »
- Explaining the Annual Review for a child with an Education, Health and Care PlanAlthough Statements of special educational needs have been around since 1981, for many parents, the Annual Review (AR) remains a…Continue reading »
- Supporting families to participate in making person-centred decisionsOne of the big things that was supported to be improved for disabled children and families was person-centred planning. De-jargonned,…Continue reading »
- Co-regulation in Autism: synchronising emotions, intentions and thoughtsIn a previous post in my series on co-regulation in autism, we looked here at what it is and how…Continue reading »
- What’s in a name: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome gets an important makeoverIt's rare for a medical condition to have its sub-types reclassified. It happened to autism a couple of years ago…Continue reading »
- All about ALLFIE and its campaign for truly inclusive educationMy sons' headteacher at their independent special(ist) school, once said to me that inclusion was about being included in society…Continue reading »
- Half a billion and counting: Tracking the SEND reforms spendingWe’re now well over two years into the SEND reforms, and the reform journey so far has been long, winding,…Continue reading »
- How a parent held her council to account for its SEND failuresToday's parent story is a classic case of a local authority's disregard of the SEND reforms: poor communication and lack…Continue reading »
- £215 million cash boost for local areas to improve SEND facilitiesThe Department for Education has today announced £215 million funding for SEND. It's to be split between almost every English…Continue reading »
- The SEND Superheroes ready to spruce up your school’s provisionI started Special Needs Jungle with the intention of spreading knowledge to parents about how to get themselves organised and…Continue reading »
- Rare disease research is vital to patients. Now let’s use it to improve services.Rosie Collington of Rare Disease UK writes... The UK has a reputation internationally as a leader in rare disease research.…Continue reading »
- The heartache that lives alongside our son’s very rare diseaseRare Disease Day is almost upon us and we have the third of our parent posts today about their lives…Continue reading »
- Finding my son near death started our rare journey to his genetic diagnosisIt's bad enough when your child has a severe illness, but when you discover it's a condition few have heard…Continue reading »
- YouGov survey: Teachers blame “parental pressure” for misdiagnosis of SENA YouGov poll of more than 800 teachers across the UK, has shockingly revealed what is potentially one of the…Continue reading »
- Post 19: Education, health, care and training support for disabled young peopleA quick post today to let you know about guidance the Department for Education has published for 19-25 year olds…Continue reading »
- A 16 year quest to diagnose our rare bendy daughterIt's often difficult to cope and find support when your child has an uncommon or rare condition. Often, there is…Continue reading »
- The SEN reforms in Wales: What parents need to knowFor the last year, I've been monitoring the start of consultations and legislation for the Welsh government's reforms to their…Continue reading »
- Whole School SEND Summit: learn, contribute & share good practiceThe changes to the special educational needs system in England are over two years old but many parents have seen…Continue reading »
- Parents of children with learning disabilities lonely, distressed and under pressureIt can be hard to cope with having a child with a disability. It can be particularly hard on relationships.…Continue reading »
- Interweb Safety Day: The stuff you don’t know as parents but shouldThe interweb is a big and scary place, and that’s just for the grown-ups. While we think our kids may…Continue reading »
- Using Minecraft to engage children with science learningMinecraft is beloved of thousands of teens and pre-teens across the country, but it seems to have a particular fascination…Continue reading »
- Our children, “managed” out of mainstream schools and denied supportIn just 11 astonishing days, the denial of young people’s rights to education, health and care in England has been…Continue reading »
- The Care Act when transitioning from children’s to adult social careOne of the biggest concerns for parents of disabled young people who are about to pass 18, is the move…Continue reading »
- How satisfied are pupils, parents and teachers about SEND in schools?At the end of last week, a couple of surveys were published by the Department for Education. One was a…Continue reading »
- Putting Social, Emotional and Mental Health at the top of our schools’ agendaAt Academies Enterprise Trust (AET), where I'm Executive Director for SEND and Inclusion, we’ve been thinking about Social, Emotional and…Continue reading »
- Improving autism training in schools: A good practice example.Tania's note: One of the things we need to see more of is easily accessible good practice in SEND teaching.…Continue reading »
- Will more cash guide the battered ship of SEND reform to calmer seas?Just a quick post after Matt's epic blog yesterday on SEND Inspectors (we have been asked for a right of…Continue reading »
- Ofsted Local Area SEND Inspectors: The good, the bad & the uglyIf you’re reading this, then you’ll know that the Government reformed the English SEND system in 2014. Inspectors from Ofsted…Continue reading »
- A new year, a new leaf? What’s your SEND wish for 2017?And so, we leave behind the detritus of 2016 with its never-ending celebrity deaths, seismic political upheaval and general air of…Continue reading »
2016
- SNJ’s Christmas SEND wish-list for Santa and a few thanks too…Dear Santa Please bring us some very special gifts this year. We'd like every child with SEN or disabilities to be…Continue reading »
- Tips for keeping up your child’s literacy over the holidaysIt's always a tricky one, especially if your son or daughter has made good progress with literacy during the preceding…Continue reading »
- Ofsted/CQC SEND Inspections and Parents: More Than A Feeling?Six months ago, Ofsted & the Care Quality Commission began inspecting how well local areas are implementing the September 2014…Continue reading »
- Tips for talking to children with language difficulties about their school dayI always like to try and talk to my son about what he has done at school that day. His…Continue reading »
- Book reviews: Caged In Chaos, The Boy from HellNicky's back with two book reviews... Book Review of Caged in Chaos by Victoria Biggs This book was…Continue reading »
- Shining a light on great practice in SLT and communicationIlluminating great practice for children and young people with SEND is something we love to do at SNJ. Last year…Continue reading »
- Surrey gets a spanking from Ofsted in its SEND inspectionSo the chickens have come home to roost, hopefully. The SEND Ofsted/CQC Inspectors have given Surrey a right kicking, and…Continue reading »
- Adelle’s dyslexia helped her find her strengths as a GB athleteLife for any child with dyslexia can be challenging, especially at school. If they are lucky, they end up in…Continue reading »
- Supporting a child with Addison’s Disease at schoolIn October 2016, I attended the Cambridge Rare Disease Network Summit 2016 with Tania. It was very thought-provoking and listening…Continue reading »
- Talking about alcohol with your special needs teenMy boys are both at the age where they are discovering many aspects of adult life, including alcohol. They now go…Continue reading »
- Removing the barriers to bedtime for children with disabilitiesI have to admit that for a while, R and I joined the ranks of Smug Parents. We didn’t mean…Continue reading »
- New format for SNJ’s SEND system Flow ChartsJust a quick post today to let you know about a new format for our very popular SEND system flow charts.…Continue reading »
- What autistic schoolgirl Lucy, did next: An explosion in developmentIn my last blogpost, I shared my intention to show footage of other pupils from Bright Futures School. In light…Continue reading »
- Future in Mind? Progress on child mental health plan a national disgraceA shocker of a report was published yesterday into the progress on the funding boost to mental health services for…Continue reading »
- Tips to help a bullied child: Anti-Bullying WeekThe Anti Bullying Alliances’ theme this year for anti-bullying week is 'Power for Good'. What I understand this to mean…Continue reading »
- Draft Plans and Working Documents in an EHCPWorking Documents (WD) and draft EHC plans are quite similar, although with a draft plan you can negotiate on all…Continue reading »
- 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…Continue reading »
- The high costs of living with a disability, especially if it’s rareI don’t need to tell regular readers of this blog that dealing with the symptoms of the condition that affects…Continue reading »
- The Scott Schools and Colleges SEND report: It’s really rather depressingLee Scott is a very nice man. Earlier this year, at the request of the then Education Secretary, Nicky Morgan,…Continue reading »
- Parent pens The Children’s Guide to AutismNote: The book giveaway is now finished (Nov 2016) It's a while since we brought you a giveaway, so today here's…Continue reading »
- A World Without Down’s Syndrome? Where do we go from here?Just over two weeks ago I witnessed an online surge, the likes of which I have rarely seen before. Started…Continue reading »
- #CRDN2016 Looking to the future where patients and carers are always involved in their careI spent yesterday in Cambridge at the Cambridge Rare Disease Network Summit 2016. CDRN is run by the amazing Kay Parkinson, who…Continue reading »
- Testing for children with SEND: The Rochford ReviewThe final report of The Rochford Review of statutory assessment arrangements for pupils working below the standard of national curriculum tests…Continue reading »
- Why sharing best practice in autism benefits everyoneI'm always on the look out for best practice examples to bring to you on SNJ, whether you are a…Continue reading »
- We challenged our son’s school over disability discriminationDepressingly, I'm hearing just as many, if not more, cases of families being forced to go to the First Tier…Continue reading »
- Amplify your experience of rare disease with Rare Barometer VoicesWhen there are few specialists and no medical pathways to help your child's condition, you can feel like a pinprick in the priority…Continue reading »
- Not co-production: Was your child’s Education, Health and Care plan outsourced?Tania's note: Matt Keer, the parent of children who are deaf, is a whizz at figures. He's written for us…Continue reading »
- Why did my PDA son have to fail in five schools before I was listened to?Back in 2012, SNJ ran a parent story from a mum, Debs, who had been having lots of difficulty finding…Continue reading »
- Is there a crisis looming at the SEND Tribunal?New figures out from the Ministry of Justice have shown a big jump in the number of appeals registered at the…Continue reading »
- Autism Hero Awards: A win for SNJ!Those of you on Facebook or Twitter may have spotted a few of these pictures but for those of you…Continue reading »
- Top tips for keeping your cool when parenting styles conflictOne of the things that can cause big conflicts in a relationship, particularly where there is a child with special…Continue reading »
- Review: Building Language Using Lego BricksElizabeth and I were recently contacted by Jessica Kingsley publishers, asking us to review a new book. When I saw…Continue reading »
- The advocate leading a summit to make patient and medical collaboration less ‘rare’In the most devastating, impossible-to-imagine grief of the death of loved ones – especially your children - it would not be…Continue reading »
- What parents wish teachers knew about their autistic childTeaching children with autism is one of the biggest worries faced by many teachers and even Special Needs Coordinators (SENCos)…Continue reading »
- Join the discussions that are connecting the rarest of rare diseasesI've written on SNJ before about how the online community I help to manage, RareConnect, works to bring together families facing…Continue reading »
- SEND Inspections: Are they bringing accountability? Your views neededAs you know, we’ve been following the development of the SEND inspections developed jointly by Ofsted and CQC. Barney has…Continue reading »
- Sense Work Towards Equal Access to Healthcare for the DeafblindI was recently asked to write a SEND travel article for the Telegraph. After I had picked myself up from the…Continue reading »
- The special education conundrum: When parents fund an independent special school placeWhen is a child with special educational needs, just not special enough? It's when the local authority decides the child's…Continue reading »
- Hey mum, you’re autistic too! Me, my kids and my adult autism diagnosisI’ve been sent a few books lately about diagnosing Autism / Asperger’s in girls and women. If you’re a regular…Continue reading »
- SEND reforms a botch job? Another report shows families are being failedThe SEND reforms are failing to meet the needs of autistic children, according to a new report from the National…Continue reading »
- What’s WRONG with her? A rare special needs parent’s dilemmaMany of us know what it's like to be questioned intrusively by complete strangers because of our child's disability - whether…Continue reading »
- Showcasing Rare Diseases in BirminghamA shout-out for a an event for rare disease patient groups and for professionals interested in the field. Findacure Midlands Networking…Continue reading »
- Our magical mystery tour helped our autistic son deal with anxietyHow many of us have stayed home rather than face the potential ordeal of your autistic child having a melt-down…Continue reading »
- Exam Access Arrangements: what are they and who gets them?It’s that time again when students anxiously await their exam results. We all hope for good passes all round, but…Continue reading »
- Teacher’s Petition to include Speech and Language in teacher trainingA specialist speech and language teacher in Lincolnshire has launched a petition calling on the government to include Speech, Language and Communication…Continue reading »
- How Yoga can help your special needs childWe've run a couple of posts on SNJ from Lorraine Senior about Reflexology for children with special needs. They were really appreciated…Continue reading »
- What if my SEND teenager doesn’t get the grades they need for their chosen course?I wrote recently about how Son1 made a silver lining out of the clouds created by the grades in his disappointing…Continue reading »
- Join the world’s first fully-inclusive, fantastically fun, Super Sensory race!Tania's note: Jo Grace is back to tell us about something you may like to get involved with! Parallel London…Continue reading »
- Promises, promises: Bercow’s Speech and Language Report: 10 Years OnThe children's communication charity, ICAN and the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists have announced a review of John…Continue reading »
- Who’s using your family’s health data and how secure is it?Beth McCleverty is the columnist today from Genetic Alliance UK Data, from many angles, has been somewhere near the top…Continue reading »
- More EHCP research: DfE sends “Experience” survey to familiesFrom today many parents of children with special educational and young people who have Education, Health and Care Plans will…Continue reading »
- Inclusion for Primary teachers: Nancy shares her SEND secretsLast summer I sat down at my kitchen table and I wrote a book. Well, it wasn’t quite like that,…Continue reading »
- How my ASD son turned exam result dark clouds into bright silver liningsAt the end of summer last year, the AS results day to be precise, we were in a bit of…Continue reading »
- Teaching children with autism: The Guided Participation RelationshipWhen development is typical, infants at around six-seven months begin to show signs of an insatiable drive to grow…to stretch, learn and…Continue reading »
- Top Tips for finding your way through the speech therapy processIf you are concerned about any aspect of your child’s development, it can be difficult to know where to turn…Continue reading »
- Special Educational Needs finally to be part of England’s core teacher trainingSome good news to report, at last: Earlier this year, we told you about The Carter Review of Initial Teacher…Continue reading »
- Government promises more apprenticeships for young people with SENDNot so long ago, I wrote a post about apprenticeships for young people with learning disabilities and how Education, Health…Continue reading »
- How do people with autism experience empathy?I decided to write about this as a result of an article I posted on SNJ's social media a while…Continue reading »
- The failings that made our son’s special education EHCP transfer a nightmareOur son has a severe physical disability and a longstanding diagnosis. He had a statutory Statement of Special Educational Needs…Continue reading »
- Using an online EHCP: A parent’s storyEarlier this year, we hosted a post about ‘One page profiles and EHC plans the Wiki way’. It's been very popular…Continue reading »
- Reporting on the EHCP process: Bren’s parent participatory researchFor four weeks from late April to early May I conducted a research survey into how things were going with…Continue reading »
- Take part in DfE focus groups on Preparing for AdulthoodA quick post today with an opportunity for parents interested in the Preparing for Adulthood agenda for young people with…Continue reading »
- How will #Brexit affect children and young people with Disabilities?I was going to start this piece with "As the dust settles after the #Brexit vote...", but every day the…Continue reading »
- What parents told the government’s review into the SEND reformsLast week, a group of eight parents, including me and Renata, went along to the Department of Education in London…Continue reading »
- The parent “battle” for SEND ProvisionThe BS Tweets story did rather set the SEND world alight with many posts from blogs and articles in the…Continue reading »
- CALL TO ACTION: Let’s work together to stop SEND Tribunal nightmaresMoving the Baker Small Twitter-storm along... Special Needs Jungle would like to use the momentum we have gathered to create…Continue reading »
- Why an unfortunate series of tweets must be a SEND game-changerIf you were browsing Twitter at the weekend, you may have happened upon a series of most startling and revealing…Continue reading »
- Six sleep tips for your child with special needsBelieve me I know about a lack of sleep! Neither of our children slept well for years. Anxious parenting, light…Continue reading »
- Learning to cope with your child’s Pathological Demand AvoidanceI’ve noticed there is a lot of information on social media about Pathological Demand Avoidance, now recognised as part of…Continue reading »
- Share your experiences of the reforms for Nicky Morgan’s SEND reviewIn just over a week's time, I'm taking a group of parents to the Department for Education to meet former…Continue reading »
- Head Teachers: Children with SEND are being failed by budget cutsIf you switched on BBC2 this morning (June 2nd 2016), you would have found me, Renata and some of our…Continue reading »
- The rare disease game-changers showing how SEND co-production can workLast week I attended the European Conference on Rare Disease being held in Edinburgh*. It was three days of listening to…Continue reading »
- The real message the EHCP stats should give to the MinistersYesterday’s new SEND statistics reported worrying progress on SEND reform up to January 2016, amid soothing words from the Ministers…Continue reading »
- Edward Timpson and Jane Ellison: “Our reforms are boosting the life chances of children with SEND”As parent carers we often measure our successes in the little victories we achieve on a day to day basis.…Continue reading »
- The joyful sensory world: Our differences and how we are all the sameTania writes: A few years ago, I ran a guest post from Jo Grace who was crowdfunding to raise funds…Continue reading »
- What makes a good outcome in an Education, Health and Care Plan?One of the changes within the SEND reforms is that the support in the statutory Education, Health, and Care Plan…Continue reading »
- EHCP Journeys and SEND reviewsThe Department for Education recently published some "user experience" research into the SEND reforms to help local areas with gathering…Continue reading »
- Pathological Demand Avoidance Day!Today is PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) Day and I wanted to do a quick post to promote awareness and provide…Continue reading »
- Helping your child with Speech SoundsOur most popular posts on Speech Blog UK tend to be the ones about speech sounds. It is an area…Continue reading »
- How do Apprenticeships support young people with SEN?Only 6% of people with learning difficulties are currently in employment. No, I didn't make that shocking figure up, it…Continue reading »
- Undiagnosed and raising awareness to patients, professionals and parliamentI've been to a couple of events in the last week or so around Undiagnosed Children's Day. As going anywhere…Continue reading »
- The Great EHCP SwindleTania's note: A parent post today, but it's not a personal tale of an experience with the new Education, Health and…Continue reading »
- Parents’ and Carers’ Guide to the new Special Educational Needs & Disability InspectionsAccountability for the quality of provision in England's reformed Special Educational Needs and Disability system has long been on parents'…Continue reading »
- My #Undiagnosed Day video to say thanks to those who get care right.I have three children. All three have an undiagnosed genetic condition. One is a wheelchair user, has feeding tubes, and…Continue reading »
- My SWAN journey from denial to motivation with my undiagnosed sonToday is Undiagnosed Children’s Day, a nationwide event aimed at increasing awareness of SWAN or Syndromes Without A Name (also known as an…Continue reading »
- Work and the parent carer: a choice or a right?Today I am delighted to introduce Sarah Down who has agreed to write a guest post for us. Sarah is…Continue reading »
- SNJ’s new service: EHCP Transfer Clinic!Last week, we relaunched our Ask IPSEA legal question and answer service. But wha if your question isn't legal in…Continue reading »
- Honest and useful assessment for children with SEND is not just about attainmentA couple of months ago I was invited to speak at the Academies Show in London on the subject of…Continue reading »
- It’s back! ASK IPSEA on SNJ is relaunched- let the questioning commence!Exciting news today - the relaunch of our ASK IPSEA feature! [caption id="attachment_13634" align="alignright" width="231"] Julie Moktadir[/caption] We had to…Continue reading »
- Dear son, happy 16th. Here are my invisible shoesWe started the week with a heart-felt letter from a mum about her disabled child. Just as I was thinking I…Continue reading »
- Teenage years and special needs: from angel to devil and back againPuberty with any teenager can be a tricky business and a time of immense change for everyone in the family.…Continue reading »
- When my child welcomed your baby into the worldI was recently contacted by a mum of a child with additional needs, who expressed sadness to me over her…Continue reading »
- What isn’t working in the transfer from Statement to EHCPBy 1 April 2018, local authorities must have transferred all children and young people with statements of SEN to the…Continue reading »
- So what? I can’t always swim against the tide with my ASD sonToday we have a lovely guest post from a mum, Michelle Myers, who writes a blog called A Slice of…Continue reading »
- Believe me: it’s not awareness that’s the problem with autismSo here we are again, Autism Awareness Week. Every year people go to great lengths to fundraise, stage events, write…Continue reading »
- Guiding children with autism to learn co-regulationIn my first SNJ post I gave a brief overview of Bright Futures School and how we use ‘guiding’ (derived…Continue reading »
- Urgent action needed to train all teachers in AutismLast week, the National Autistic Society and Ambitious about Autism sent an open letter to the Education Secretary, Nicky Morgan,…Continue reading »
- Post-16 SEND education? It’s a postcode lotteryFor most adolescents, moving into adulthood is a natural progression and the move from school to a job or to…Continue reading »
- What the Government’s SEND statistics mean for childrenIn my December blog I shared that I would follow up on the government’s SEND figures for schools. These are released…Continue reading »
- Is Peer Support a replacement for professional mental health support?Over 50% of Mental Health problems start in childhood and we are all well aware of the difficulties many children…Continue reading »
- Parents making high-level progress on the SEND health agendaIt’s been a busy week hasn’t it? The budget revealed further cuts in the offing for disabled people – although…Continue reading »
- SEND accountability: What you told the Ofsted consultationLate last week, Ofsted released its report on responses from parents, carers and practitioners - anyone with an interest -…Continue reading »
- Parent and carer’s guide to the DfE’s SEND funding consultationIf you have any Lavazza in the kitchen, start percolating. Chocolate chip cookies? Yep, you’ll need them too: this needs…Continue reading »
- Teaching social context to children with autism and why it’s vital for safeguardingTania writes: Today I'm so pleased to bring you a guest article from a highly respected head teacher of a…Continue reading »
- Accountability: the number one change you would likeIn January, we ran a giveaway for a copy of Disabled children, A Legal Handbook. Congratulations to Lisa Thomas who…Continue reading »
- Help Hayley raise awareness this World Down syndrome Day #WDSD16Today, we're helping campaigner, Downs Side Up blogger & our SNJ columnist, Hayley Goleniowska, support Down's syndrome Awareness week. She's…Continue reading »
- 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)…Continue reading »
- Ten Top tips for when your child is diagnosed with a rare diseaseWhere were you when you you were told that your child had a medical diagnosis? Like many major events in…Continue reading »
- Birmingham Children’s Hospital puts the fun in fundraising in its fabulous Rare Disease Day event!I had a brilliant time in Birmingham yesterday at the Children's Hospital where they held a vibrant and fun-filled Rare…Continue reading »
- Rare Disease Day: Hear our voice to help meet our needsMonday 29th February 2016 is quite aptly named Rare Disease Day - as a leap year it's the rarest day…Continue reading »
- Facts and stats: the differing views of SEND reform successLate last week, the DfE published its latest newsletter about the special educational needs and disability reforms. The issue was…Continue reading »
- Top tips for navigating an EHCP process – for both parents and SEN departments!Tania writes: Ask anyone who's been through England's new special educational needs statutory assessment as part of the EHCP process,…Continue reading »
- Top tips for teaching social skills to children with and without autismCommunication is so much more than just the words we say. It is an incredibly complicated process; the rules change…Continue reading »
- One Page Profiles and EHC plans the Wiki wayLast year, I was introduced to an exciting new concept for "living" One Page Profiles - using video and other…Continue reading »
- Top tips for mindful parents in developing your children’s resilienceThe theme of last week's Children's Mental Health week was Resilience and, although I've written about this subject on SNJ…Continue reading »
- How a grandma got a clothing giant to “adapt” and help families with disabled childrenAs all parents and carers of children with additional needs know, it’s the little things that keep us awake at…Continue reading »
- Birmingham Children’s Hospital leads the way with the UK’s first holistic paediatric Rare Disease CentreHow many of us spend significant amounts of our time taking our children to medical appointments, often many miles from…Continue reading »
- Hands off! SNJ learns new council funding to boost SEND implementation isn’t ring-fencedThe government announced recently that £80 million was to be given to improve the implementation of the SEND reforms. £38.5…Continue reading »
- A genetic test for Down’s syndrome won’t guarantee a perfect humanThis last couple of weeks have been a big ones for the Down’s syndrome parenting community. You would hope that…Continue reading »
- 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…Continue reading »
- £80 million to boost support for Special Educational NeedsOn Friday, the Department for Education (DfE) announced that £80 million was to be made available to extend opportunities to children…Continue reading »
- Do Academies turn away children with Special Needs?In an article on 3rd January, The Independent reported comments from Anna Feuchtwang, Chief Executive of The National Children’s Bureau, regarding,…Continue reading »
- Help me get supermarkets to stock nappies big enough for BrodyWhen your child has a disability that has made potty training an impossibility, you are left with a growing dilemma…Continue reading »
- How has living with autism changed since the first boy was diagnosed?A story on the BBC website caught my eye the other day about the boy who was the first child…Continue reading »
- The Rare Reality: An insight into the patient and family experience of living with a rare diseaseSpecialised help and services for children and adults with rare or undiagnosed conditions has always been hard to find -…Continue reading »
- SNJ Review: Disabled Children – a Legal HandbookAt the end of last year, there was much excitement in the world of SEND when the second edition of…Continue reading »
- Why high-tech medical innovations just don’t match the harsh reality of health & disability fundingAs soon as they became our neighbours, our mother sent us round to play with the kids next door. Vivacious…Continue reading »
- 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…Continue reading »
- NAS chief tells SNJ why it’s time to end the autism diagnosis crisisLast year, the National Autistic Society launched a campaign aimed at ending the often seemingly endless wait for a diagnosis…Continue reading »
- Why there’s a bright future using ‘Guiding’ for children with autismTania: Today we start a new series of articles from Zoe Thompson, who has been a regular contributor to our…Continue reading »
- The DfE answers your Top 10 questions on the changes in SEN and disability education: Part 2So, today we have part two of the answers to the Top 10 questions submitted by you, through SNJ, to…Continue reading »
- The DfE answers your Top 10 questions on the changes in SEN and disability education: Part 1For our first post of 2016, it's right back into the thick of it. Last year we asked you to…Continue reading »
2015
- What we said, where we’ve been, what we made in 2015!As promised, we've rounded up some of our articles from the year by type, which will help many of our…Continue reading »
- Merry Christmas from Special Needs JungleWe've had a busy year at SNJ in 2015 and we just wanted to wish you all a happy Christmas…Continue reading »
- How to make your friends and family with special needs kids feel welcomeI post a lot of information on the SNJ social media accounts; it’s part of my role as one of…Continue reading »
- One family’s wild ride in the pursuit of post-16 provisionOne of our favourite things at SNJ is to share parents' experiences of their family's experiences of the conditions that…Continue reading »
- Will these figures make councils think twice before forcing parents to the SEND Tribunal?At the end of last week, the government published the detailed statistics from the Special Educational Needs & Disability Tribunal…Continue reading »
- Are things looking up for children’s Social, Emotional and Mental Health services?Every child in England designated as having a special educational need (SEN) will have a primary need falling under one…Continue reading »
- What parent carers told the Minister at his SEND reform stock-taking sessionEarlier this week I attended a round-table event at the Department for Education hosted by the SEND Minister, Ed Timpson.…Continue reading »
- Disabled Students Allowance cuts: Is it time to extend the EHCP to universities?What do you call it when someone says one thing but their actions show they really mean something quite different?…Continue reading »
- Patient Solidarity Day 2015We should all have access to the healthcare we need: good quality, affordable care without fear of discrimination. This…Continue reading »
- Don’t let over 16s fall through the EHCP information cracks[caption id="attachment_12537" align="alignright" width="350"] Luca, who's 18 today and in Surrey Youth Music Theatre[/caption] Today is Son1's (Luca) 18th birthday!…Continue reading »
- Three new book reviews: Autism and meltdowns, eating and pubertySNJ note: We've been looking at a few more books for families with SEND - or should I say our…Continue reading »
- Some Sunday wisdom from Maya AngelouIt is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is…Continue reading »
- Transferring from Statements to EHCPs: What works for meTania's note: Today I'd like to welcome a new columnist, Marguerite Haye. Marguerite works with local authorities as the lead…Continue reading »
- What DO you buy for a child with a visual impairment at ChristmasI love Christmas - I really am one of those annoying people who gets into the festive spirit with huge…Continue reading »
- The mum whose photography project is focusing on children with rare diseaseWhen your child has a very rare condition it's hard not only to find specialists and the right treatment but…Continue reading »
- Anti-Bullying Week: How to help a victim of bullyingSticks and stones may break my bones but names will ALWAYS hurt me...possibly for a very long time! It’s anti-bullying…Continue reading »
- #WiseWords: Strong souls come from sufferingOut of suffering have emerged the strongest souls The most massive characters are seared with scars. ~Khalil Gibran~Continue reading »
- 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.…Continue reading »
- Have your say to lift the barriers to play for children with complex disabilitiesSense, the charity that helps people who are deafblind or who have sensory impairments, are running a public inquiry into the provision of…Continue reading »
- An SNJ Infographic of the latest SEND statistics 2015Last week the DfE released its annual "Special educational needs: an analysis and summary of data sources". It was late, as pointed out…Continue reading »
- SEND charities and funding: Is there more trouble ahead?You’re probably reading this because you are involved as the parent, carer, advocate or educator of a young person with…Continue reading »
- Best Practice: a parent’s view of a good EHCP Transition experienceMany families have not had a great experience so far with the transition of their child from a Statement to…Continue reading »
- Ask the DfE: Put your SEND queries directly to the man at the ministryWe have something special for you today - a chance to ask the questions you want about SEND to the…Continue reading »
- Speech and Language problems? It could be glue ear.One of the questions you are likely to be asked if your child is assessed by a speech and language…Continue reading »
- Selective Mutism: When anxiety shuts down the power to speakIn the past, our youngest has struggled with selective mutism, as part of their autism. Anxiety and sensory overload can…Continue reading »
- Dear Mr Harford: Consultation on Inspection for SEND ProvisionNancy Gedge is a teacher who thinks outside the box. She is also Mum to a young man with Down's…Continue reading »
- Mental Capacity and young people with SEND: A quick primerEarlier this week I attended the SEND seminar of the law firm, Boyes Turner who represent families having difficulties getting…Continue reading »
- The what, when and how of Independent Support for the EHCP processWe haven't carried an article about Independent Support for a while and now we have one today and another coming…Continue reading »
- So close but so far away: @AspieDeLaZouch on why disability requires a compassionate communityWe are separated in so many ways: time and distance, age and language, how you see ‘you’ and how I…Continue reading »
- Inspirational SEND education events and a speech that says it allYesterday Angela and I went to two events in London that underlined the fight that families still face to get…Continue reading »
- Driver Youth Trust report: SEND reforms led to “Fragmented provision, chaos and confusion”Later on today, Angela and I will be attending the Westminster launch of "Joining the Dots" a report out today…Continue reading »
- Consultation on SEND Accountability launched. We look at the big pictureSo finally, what we have been waiting for – the public consultation for setting up a system of accountability for…Continue reading »
- Why Family Therapy can break down the barriers we didn’t know were thereI post quite frequently on the SNJ Facebook and Twitter accounts, articles about mental health difficulties faced by young people…Continue reading »
- Help your child relax with a ‘positive touch’ reflexology routineWe're really pleased to have another post from reflexologist, Lorraine Senior who you can find today and tomorrow at the…Continue reading »
- 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…Continue reading »
- Plain and Simple – Personal Budgets are about having controlToday, we are really delighted to have a guest post from Nic Crosby from In-Control. Personal Budgets are something many of…Continue reading »
- Who’s looking at your kids’ photos online -and not in a good way?A story in the Independent newspaper has make me lurch up from my sickbed to highlight something I have known…Continue reading »
- What’s missing in the Special Needs JungleWe have a sizeable following on Special Needs Jungle both on the site and via social media. However that also…Continue reading »
- Shining a light on outstanding work in speech and languageTania's note: Malcolm has escaped from the usual Friday columnist slot to reflect on a wonderful awards ceremony that he…Continue reading »
- What you told us about your EHCP experiences. Now tell us how it should be!A few weeks ago we asked you to send us your EHCP transfer or application experiences, however it's been, to help…Continue reading »
- Why childhood eye tests can be the key to discovering special educational needsAround a fifth of young people with sight loss also have additional special educational needs or disabilities, and a further…Continue reading »
- Where’s the care? More action needed on accessible childcare for disabled childrenThe end of the school holidays will have brought mixed feelings to many parents of children with additional needs. For…Continue reading »
- How a charity is helping disabled children with reading challenges learn to love booksWe all know that reading to our children is vitally important and helps get them started in reading for themselves.…Continue reading »
- Top tips for Crowdfunding for your support group or charityI've just attended a workshop on Crowdfunding held by the Findacure Foundation. The workshop was specifically aimed at rare disease…Continue reading »
- Our new Rare Disease columnist asks you to help get MPs interested in genetic conditionsTania's note: We're delighted to introduce Genetic Alliance UK as our new columnist for rare disease, genetic and undiagnosed conditions. …Continue reading »
- The EHCP #1YearOn – views, recommendations and a chance to have your sayThe National Autistic Society has published a fairly damning report saying that less than a quarter of parents surveyed are satisfied…Continue reading »
- The trials and tribulations of SEN transportYes, it's that time of year again. Our children are returning to school and we often get the joy of…Continue reading »
- The not-so-magic roundabout of school exclusionIn Swindon there is a traffic system known as “the Magic Roundabout.” It’s really a system of five small roundabouts…Continue reading »
- SEND reforms #1YearOn only 6% of deaf children see support improvementWe don't like being negative at SNJ. We really want to be able to write about good practice, great resources…Continue reading »
- The pioneering STARS putting patients at the heart of healthcareLong ago, when my both my kids were under three and I was still perfecting the art of smiling while…Continue reading »
- How Sir Stelios is offering entrepreneurs with disabilities a chance for a £50k business boostIt's always been tougher for young people with disabilities to get ahead, whether it's through college, into a job or…Continue reading »
- 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…Continue reading »
- 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…Continue reading »
- Direction of SEND travel: @AspieDeLaZouch wonders if we’re en route to more special schoolsAs a young boy, on my way to a hospital appointment at The Brompton or Great Ormond Street (I can’t…Continue reading »
- Dropping SEN figures and the ‘waiting room’ category: the DfE repliesA couple of weeks ago, we reported on the latest SEN figures for England that were released by the Department for…Continue reading »
- Special Educational Needs and Disability Pathfinder final reportIn September 2014, most of the Pathfinder local authorities, testing the SEND reforms came to an end and the reality…Continue reading »
- £35 million cuts to children’s Mental Health services: Speak up to stop CAMHS cuts!In January 2015, the government pledged £1.25 billion funding for improving children's mental health services. A Children's Mental Health Taskforce was…Continue reading »
- 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…Continue reading »
- SEN figures show 2.5% drop in children with special educational needs in EnglandJust as we agreed to go down to two posts a week over summer (with a week off in August),…Continue reading »
- 10 tips for geneticists from parents of children with undiagnosed and rare diseasesOne of the biggest problems experienced by parents of children with long-term medical conditions is communicating and maintaining relationships with…Continue reading »
- Unfair, flawed and not joined up: Why fixing SEN funding matters. #CountMeInSNJ Note: Today we welcome back the SENCo, known by his Twitter handle, @AspieDeLaZouch. He wrote for us a few…Continue reading »
- Speech Therapy terminology: What does that mean?Each profession has their own set of words and acronyms that we all understand, but it easy to forget that…Continue reading »
- SEN Assessments and Outcomes: What and whenI had a very busy day on Tuesday at the 25th Anniversary conference of national and international charity, Genetic Alliance UK.…Continue reading »
- 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…Continue reading »
- Tania’s 13 top tips for surviving the EHCP processI started this blog back in 2008 to record the method I used to apply and gain a statement of…Continue reading »
- Six top tips for using – and managing – your SEND Local OfferHave you checked our your area's Local Offer website recently? Some look pretty good, while some are definitely still a…Continue reading »
- Why SEND department targets mean ‘culture change’ reform may never happenToday's guest post, from father of two deaf sons, Matt Keer, may shock you. It may, as it did to…Continue reading »
- A labour of love to create an accessible Algarve holiday centreOne of the many challenges that parents and carers of children with disabilities and/or special educational needs face is finding…Continue reading »
- Banned from Prom, but my school refuser son’s new future beckonsWhat happens now… A while back I wrote a piece about school refusal and gave some ideas that were hopefully…Continue reading »
- Sensory processing in autism: research developmentsToday we have a guest post from Dr Cathy Manning who is conducting research into the way children with autism…Continue reading »
- Forget festivals, I prefer Disability exhibitionsTania: Today we'd like to introduce you to a new columnist, although followers of SEND blogs will already be familiar…Continue reading »
- Living with Mr Worry – tips from a mumLike many families, we have several of the Mr Men in our home. Mr Grumpy, who arrives with my son (and…Continue reading »
- Counselling and mental health services: Will they still be delivered?The mental health of our young people has been in the headlines a lot recently with Child and Adolescent Mental…Continue reading »
- 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…Continue reading »
- It’s Learning Disability week, let’s talk about the negative people we meet in the LD worldAs you enter the Special Needs Jungle, you will come across many different types of people; the ones who will…Continue reading »
- A Right Not a Fight: why young people with learning difficulties are demonstrating for education equalityWe've recently featured some posts from Kathryn Rudd OBE, Principal of the National Star College and Chair of Natspec regarding…Continue reading »
- SNJ Giveaway: Making speech, language and communication a burning issueI am delighted to introduce today's guest post (and giveaway) from Shona Crichton. As a mum of a child with…Continue reading »
- That’s the sound…a SEND parent’s poem. And show us YOUR talent too!That's the sound - Tania Tirraoro ThumpThat's the sound of your bodyHitting the floor as you trip once againOver nothingIt's…Continue reading »
- Volunteers’ Week: Thanks to our volunteer writers and looking for more help!As it's Volunteers' Week, I'd just like to take a moment to thank everyone who has volunteered their time to…Continue reading »
- Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) – What actually changes now?Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) has long been recognised as being a condition related to autism. In fact, until recently, it…Continue reading »
- Introducing the SNJ collaboration with patientINFORMSome exciting news today! You know when you're looking online for information such as medical articles or research and you…Continue reading »
- 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…Continue reading »
- 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…Continue reading »
- Parents must advocate for each other to make the new SEND system workI was invited to speak at a conference last weekend called #RoadMapforLife at Swiss Cottage school, a special school in…Continue reading »
- Why my son with autism has enriched my life, not ruined itThe other day we posted an article link on to our Facebook page from The Guardian, featuring a letter from a…Continue reading »
- Mindfulness: How can it help with mental health difficulties?It is Mental Health awareness week this week and the theme for this year is Mindfulness. Earlier this year, Special…Continue reading »
- Teaching children complex communication“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place”. – George Bernard Shaw Communication is…Continue reading »
- NSPCC video released to help protect deaf children from sexual abuseEarlier this year the NSPCC launched guidance called the "Underwear Rule" to help protect children from sexual abuse. To coincide with…Continue reading »
- All about The Challenging Behaviour FoundationChallenging Behaviour. As parents, we've all experienced it at one time or another and as children we've probably exhibited some…Continue reading »
- Revolutionary New Resource for Parents: Talking About Down’s SyndromeI am enormously proud to announce the launch of a very exciting project I have been working on for some months…Continue reading »
- SOS!SEN on England’s special needs reforms: The Good, The Bad, The UnchangedWay back in 2011, I wrote an article about a small SEN legal charity, SOS!SEN, that provides an advisory service…Continue reading »
- Patient Advocate Power! Renata helps create first specialist nurse for Undiagnosed kidsToday is Undiagnosed Children's Day and a perfect day to tell you about an achievement for our SNJ team member…Continue reading »
- Our son’s undiagnosed condition brings new challenges almost every dayAt the end of this week it's Undiagnosed Children’s Day. These are conditions so ultra-rare they don't have a name…Continue reading »
- Little or no choice for young disabled people for further educationA while ago, you may remember we featured a post from Kathryn Rudd OBE, Principal National Star College and Chair…Continue reading »
- 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…Continue reading »
- #12MillionVotes: A Manifesto for Disabled PeopleIt's two years now since I was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos syndrome and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia and officially became one…Continue reading »
- On conversation, sensory issues and being different: Some SNJ book reviews!I am sometimes sent books for possible review but find it difficult to fit it all in. Luckily, I know…Continue reading »
- The role of the SENCO: what do you need to know?The SENCO has a critical role to play in ensuring that children with special educational needs and disabilities within a…Continue reading »
- Special Needs parents outraged at use of Sam Cam’s bereavement as election toolThe article on Samantha Cameron that appeared in The Daily Telegraph on Monday has caused a storm of outrage among Special…Continue reading »
- World Autism Day: A boy and his Assistance dogIt's annual UN World Autism Day, April 2nd today, although the National Autistic Society have stretched it into a whole…Continue reading »
- 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…Continue reading »
- Child Sexual Exploitation – a child psychologist’s accountSNJ note: Today we welcome back SNJ columnist Charlie Mead, a child psychologist who works with vulnerable young people in…Continue reading »
- SEND accountability – we look at the framework and ask for your viewsIn what is probably the last act of his current position as Minister for SEND in this parliament, Ed Timpson…Continue reading »
- The holiday farm that’s accessible for everyone whatever your disabilityThe Papworth Trust helps to support people with disabilities live their lives to the full. Today we're helping them tell…Continue reading »
- Ten Benefits of Pets for Children with SENDI have very fond memories of spending hours in our small sunny back garden as a child. Often the games…Continue reading »
- CAMHS “Future in Mind” Will it really mean a change for the better?It's tough being a young person today. When I was a girl, you had to be a child actor to…Continue reading »
- Join Kathryn’s campaign for early years childcare choices for families with disabled childrenWe ran a guest post from MrBoosMum a little while ago about the the launch of the Report of the…Continue reading »
- Happy Mothers’ Day.. to my husbandIt's Mothers' Day, at least it is here in the UK. For me, this will be the first year that…Continue reading »
- Air travel with children who need special assistanceIf you have ever entered an airport with any child, let alone one with special needs, you will know the…Continue reading »
- Do you ever just feel tired of it all?Like many of us, I have children who believe that sleeping through the night is just an urban myth. Oh…Continue reading »
- Where do KS4 and KS5 students go – when they have SEN?In January, the DfE published a “Statitistical First Release” showing a breakdown of where children/young adults go to when they…Continue reading »
- Talking SEND with Just WomenI appeared on "Just Women" the other day, a community radio show aimed at, well, women. I was invited to…Continue reading »
- How to distress a child with an invisible disability without really tryingSince my son’s diagnosis of ADHD back in 2008, I have noticed that it is one of those conditions that…Continue reading »
- #RareDisease Day: Impossible situations create remarkable peopleToday is Rare Disease Day and during the past week we have been featuring a number of families who have…Continue reading »
- #RareDisease Day: Our daughter’s devastating diagnosis changed every aspect of our livesToday's article featuring a family affected by a rare disease brought a strange coincidence. On Wednesday, when I was at the…Continue reading »
- #RareDisease Day: Our quest for answers for our daughter’s mystery illnessWhen you have a baby, you expect that raising them will bring some ups and downs. But for Laura Joliffe…Continue reading »
- #RareDisease Day infographic and talking parent/patient advocacyAs I'm a fun kind of gal, yesterday I watched the livestream of the #rareEU2015 meeting in Brussels held by…Continue reading »
- #RareDisease Day 15: Rare with a twist makes a complex medical mysteryWe're hoping to have a number of posts this week highlighting Rare Disease Day, on 28th February. It' the 8th…Continue reading »
- Talking about self-harm: Prepare to be awareSelf-harm. It's something that many find hard to understand. Why would you intentionally hurt yourself? When we hear about it,…Continue reading »
- Questions to ask on school visitsSome of you may have just submitted your school preferences; some of you may be visiting schools and provisions now…Continue reading »
- Children’s Mental Health: Our experience of CAMHS nearly broke us[caption id="attachment_10322" align="alignright" width="230"] Duchess of Cambridge[/caption] The children's charity, Place2Be have launched the first Children’s Mental Health Week this…Continue reading »
- Sensory Occupational Therapy for Sensory Processing DisorderEmily Alexander has a magical secret... she works for Santa at The International Elf Service. She is also a Registered Osteopath…Continue reading »
- The SEN Minister responds to your feedback of the special needs reforms so farI received a letter from Ed Timpson, the Minister for Education with responsibility for SEND reform yesterday. It follows the…Continue reading »
- Professional pleasantries: Why Jenny thinks complaining can sometimes be counter-productiveOne of the great things about having Special Needs Jungle for me, is getting to meet other women who also…Continue reading »
- A game-changer? Will ruling of illegal Local Offer force councils to do better?On Thursday afternoon, we brought you an update from a High Court Judicial Review hearing which found that Warwickshire's SEN &…Continue reading »
- Rapid & radical training for all teachers in SEN is key to improving outcomesWe're really pleased that SNJ is attracting many more teaching professionals and other SEND practitioners to our readership. In the…Continue reading »
- High Court Finds Warwickshire Council’s Local Offer UnlawfulSome big news today that is liable to send a chill through every council SEN department in England. I have…Continue reading »
- The Local Offer and SEND funding: 3rd part of our video chat with the SEN MinisterOur last of the three sections of our video interview with Ed Timpson, the Education Minister with responsibility for SEND…Continue reading »
- SEN reforms and Culture Change: What the Minister saidYesterday we brought you part one of our video interview with the Education Minister in charge of SEN reform, Ed…Continue reading »
- Accountability and the SEN reforms: SNJ asks the Minister, Ed Timpson (Part 1)As regular readers will know, Renata and I went along to the Department of Education recently to interview the Minister…Continue reading »
- Should rich Katie Price pay Harvey’s SEN transport bill? It’s totally the wrong debate.If you have been sitting in isolation with a power cut due to the snow, you are probably one of…Continue reading »
- SEND reforms: What YOU told usLast week, we asked if you had any views on the SEND reforms in your area so we could pass…Continue reading »
- Stress-free Holiday Tips: Planning travel with special needs childrenIt's that time of year when Christmas seems a distant expensive memory and the days are temptingly beginning to draw…Continue reading »
- State of Play: We interview the SEN Minister in WestminsterWe had a surprise for the SEN Minister, Ed Timpson, when we went to interview him on video yesterday. Renata…Continue reading »
- Carter Review makes recommendations to improve SEND teacher trainingWe mentioned in a post late last year that a consultation was being carried out into Initial Teacher Training and…Continue reading »
- SEND reform feedback needed! We’ll give it directly to the Minister.We have a little trip to the Department for Education this coming week. We'd like to take some direct parental…Continue reading »
- Nice to tweet you.. The SNJ Twitter philosophyWe get lots of new followers on Twitter every week, which is obviously pretty fab. And I'm guessing that they would…Continue reading »
- Life with a rare facial difference: Kaddy’s story of living with Apert syndromeI've recently been helping a new rare disease organisation get off the ground. Elijah's Hope was already helping families who…Continue reading »
- Perplexed by the new SEND rules? Jane has more answers to your legal agony.Our lovely Legal Agony Aunt service that we bring you in collaboration with Jane McConnell, CEO of the brilliant legal charity,…Continue reading »
- 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…Continue reading »
2014
- SNJ’s year in review: What you read most in 2014Where has the time gone? It doesn't seem a year ago since we were welcoming 2014 and wondering what the…Continue reading »
- Merry Christmas and thank you from SNJThis is a (sort of) quick post to wish you all a Merry Christmas. We're taking a break from all-new…Continue reading »
- Jane from IPSEA answers more of your SEND legal questions.The response to our Legal Agony Aunt service that we bring you in collaboration with Jane McConnell, CEO of the…Continue reading »
- £31 million extra SEND reform funding- but is money the whole problem?The new SEND system has now been in place for a whole term and the first children and young people…Continue reading »
- The 12 “Dos” of Christmas for parents of disabled childrenChristmas is almost upon us and it seems like it’s been a long time coming. The retail hype seems to…Continue reading »
- Flu vaccination available for children & young people with learning disabilities in EnglandAs a registered carer, I recently qualified for a free flu jab at my GP surgery. This is really important…Continue reading »
- 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…Continue reading »
- Tips for expanding language at Christmas“It's the most wonderful time of the year!” So the song goes, and for many children at least (not so…Continue reading »
- Stop, Get Ready and Go. A RAG guide for practitioners.Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Each year there is a different focus to the day, and this…Continue reading »
- How goes the development of the Local Offer?How goes the Local Offer? Do you really, really want to know? At the end of last week three reports…Continue reading »
- A shameless shout out for a very special schoolI've written about my boys' special (ist) school, More House, on several occasions before. My sons joined in 2007 and…Continue reading »
- Bringing Up a Child with Special Needs in GreeceThe Experiences of One Mum Raising a Child with Special Needs in Greece Millie Slavidou is a writer of children's…Continue reading »
- National survey launched: Are SEND Further Education students getting the choices they deserve?As you may know, the new Education, Health and Care plan extended the right to statutory protection for a young…Continue reading »
- Supporting your child through the anguish of bullyingIt's almost the end of Anti-Bullying Week and as we started the week talking about bullying and SEND young people,…Continue reading »
- Top tips for a successful One Page ProfileThe new Children and Families Act is supposedly person (and family) centred, i.e. the child (and family) should be at…Continue reading »
- Anti-Bullying Week: Violent Bullying of SEND children widespread in England’s schoolsIt's Anti-Bullying Week this week. New figures show that 40% of young people in an ongoing research study of English…Continue reading »
- The power of reflexology on children with special needsI've long had an interest in the use of alternative therapies and took Youngest to see a Bowen Therapist when…Continue reading »
- Mum of dyslexic children launches Drive for LiteracyIf there's one thing we love at SNJ, it's hearing about parents who've faced challenges with their children's health or…Continue reading »
- Our flow charts included in latest official SEND reform info pack!A very quick post to tell you about something we're really pleased about: our SNJ Flow Charts that we produced…Continue reading »
- An unintentional Mystery SEND ShopperIt seems that yesterday's post resonated with many, but what most missed was the little reference to my "not mentioning"…Continue reading »
- Transfer from LDA to EHCP? Can I be bothered?I'll admit it, I'm struggling. I thought I'd done all the hard work with Son1 and his statutory support. He's…Continue reading »
- Seven Ways to Winter Wellness for your special needs childIt's that time of year when parents and carers of children with long-term health conditions begin to feel nervous. How do…Continue reading »
- Parenting, friendships and puberty in ASD: SNJ book reviewsI'm lucky enough to be sent books by certain publishers with a view to reviewing them. Of course it's not…Continue reading »
- Our SEN legal Twitter #SNJSENchat with IPSEA: Read it hereOn Friday we hosted a Twitter Chat with Jane McConnell of IPSEA. It was a busy and fun and we've…Continue reading »
- Don’t miss the first answers from SNJ’s “Ask Jane” legal agony aunt![caption id="attachment_9336" align="alignright" width="279"] Jane McConnell, CEO IPSEA[/caption] What a treat we have for you today! The first group of…Continue reading »
- Trainee teachers rate SEN as one of poorest aspects of their trainingLearning how to teach children with special educational needs is one of the lowest-rated aspects of teacher training for primary school…Continue reading »
- How a school’s Nurture programme is supporting students from ‘catch-up’ into ‘heads-up’I recently met Garry Freeman, Director of Inclusion and SENCo of Guiseley School in Leeds at a Westminster Briefing I…Continue reading »
- Who you trust, who you don’t and how to tell the difference.Recently, we shared with you a a list of things people had said to families; the ignorant things that no…Continue reading »
- It doesn’t always work and that’s OK!It happens to the best of us, we all have bad days. Sometimes despite meticulous planning, fantastic ideas and the…Continue reading »
- Did you really just say that? The ignorant words SEND parents hear far too oftenAs a mum of children with special needs, I know I have walked out of meetings and thought, "Seriously? did…Continue reading »
- World Mental Health Day – Some healthy thinking tipsToday is World Mental Health Awareness Day and I thought it would be a good opportunity to write about keeping…Continue reading »
- Teaching teachers and parents about social media safetyThis post isn't specifically about special needs, but it's for all teachers and parents everywhere to help you stay safe…Continue reading »
- Some ideas for teachers get started with parental co-productionA month in and the new SEN system is still an unknown quantity for many schools. SENCos are still getting…Continue reading »
- The importance of learning resilienceWe have all to one extent or another, faced difficult times, whether in our family, school or working lives. We…Continue reading »
- Fight Club must end, collaboration is the way forward: a SEND Director’s perspectiveEarlier in the year I went with Angela to the London Leadership Strategy conference where I was speaking on a panel…Continue reading »
- 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…Continue reading »
- The SNJ week in review – posts, presentations and parties!What an exciting week! On Monday we announced our brand new legal agony aunt, Jane McConnell of IPSEA. She's already…Continue reading »
- The pain of finding acceptance with Apert syndrome, a facial differenceWe all have a basic need to be accepted by others. As many families affected by a disability know however,…Continue reading »
- Accountability and SEND reform- a guest post from the Dept for EducationLast week we had our very first Twitter chat and our guest was Stephen Kingdom, Deputy Director of SEND at…Continue reading »
- What inclusion really means…Reading some blogs the other day, I came across one by a teacher about inclusion. It's a topic that can…Continue reading »
- Welcoming SNJ’s new legal agony aunt…Jane McConnell of IPSEA!We're super-excited today to announce some fantastic news that we hope will help us help many more parents and carers.…Continue reading »
- #SilentSunday: Dr Seuss’s Advice for AspiesWhy fit in when you were born to STAND out? Dr Seuss's Advice for AspiesContinue reading »
- The magical effect of music and song for your Special Needs ChildChristina Lydon is one of those gems that you stumble across on social media, someone doing something interesting, worthwhile and…Continue reading »
- Twitter Chat with DfE – #SNJSENChatHere is a round up of tweets and answers from last night's Tweetchat with Stephen Kingdom, Deputy Director of SEND…Continue reading »
- Disabled Students Allowance gets a year’s reprieve: Is it practical or political?Hark! I hear screeching tyres swivelling in a U-turn.. or is it just the sound of a General Election approaching?…Continue reading »
- A Potential Diamond helps young adults with autism shine in employmentWith the new SEND system giving help to young people, in some cases, as far as age 25, more attention…Continue reading »
- Twitter chat with the Department for Education #SNJSENchatWe're really pleased to announce that we will be hosting a Twitter chat for the Department for Education about the…Continue reading »
- The state of SEN in England 2014 – an infographicLast week the Department for Education published the latest statistics about SEN in England. I've chosen a few of them…Continue reading »
- Transferring to an EHC Plan: Why “managing family expectations” is the opposite of co-productionI'm anticipating the next school year with a good deal of trepidation, thanks to the new SEND system. Some day…Continue reading »
- One mum’s tough decision – Mainstream or Special School for her daughter with Down’sAs a mum of a daughter with Down's Syndrome, I understand at first hand how hard it is to make…Continue reading »
- SEND reforms, ready or not?This morning, the BBC had a report on the SEND reforms and queried whether parents (or schools) were ready for them.…Continue reading »
- SEND reforms – some legal myths and realitiesTania's note: Today, we are delighted to feature a guest post from Steve Broach. For those who don't already know him…Continue reading »
- SEND Commencement Day is finally here. A new era in Special Educational Needs starts today!September 1st 2014 - SEND Commencement Day! It's the date that has appeared in the dreams of those in the…Continue reading »
- Finding out about SENDirect: Delivering choice and control to familiesAs a result of the SEN reforms, the landscape around special needs has suddenly got a whole lot more complicated. Local…Continue reading »
- Back to school with your special needs child: Some top tips for a smooth rideThe Summer is almost over and as parents we are either reluctantly or desperately looking to the start of the…Continue reading »
- All our New SEND system Flow Charts togetherBelow is all our new SEND system system flow charts linked to one page. Do share, send, save and suggest…Continue reading »
- Day 4: The Flow Chart for if you disagree with SEN provision (or lack of it)I think, somehow, that this might prove to be an oft visited post. While the government's aims are for high…Continue reading »
- The new SEND system Flow Chart 3: Conducting an Education, Health & Care AssessmentAnd so, day three... You've applied for an assessment for your child's special educational needs and lo! you get the…Continue reading »
- The new SEND system Flow Chart 2: Requesting an Education, Health & Care AssessmentSo, after yesterday's post showing the headlines for the Assess, Plan, Do, Review Graduated Approach, we now turn to what…Continue reading »
- The new SEND system as a flow chart: Part 1, SEN SupportAnyone a bit confused about how the new SEN system process, starting on 1st September 2014, will piece together? Where…Continue reading »
- DfE publishes Parents’ Guide to new SEND reform (and some other stuff)A new guide aimed at explaining the new SEND Code of Practice to parents has been published by the Department…Continue reading »
- 6 Tips for Special Needs Summer SurvivalWell, here we all are, knee-deep in the long summer school break. [caption id="attachment_8686" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Sensory Summer Fun[/caption] It can…Continue reading »
- Supporting Social and Emotional DevelopmentI'm seen as a mum who is strong and proactive (some call this passionate, some call it bolshy, and others…Continue reading »
- The new SEND Code of Practice approved by Parliament! See our co-produced SEND reform infographicI'm imagining a champagne cork or two is being popped in the Department for Education SEND Division today - the…Continue reading »
- Are We Hypocrites for our Baby Gammy shock?You can't have missed it. The story of little baby Gammy, supposedly left by his parents in Thailand with his…Continue reading »
- ‘Teaching teenagers with chronic illnesses’SNJ's lovely PA, Charlotte, has reviewed a copy of a very useful book(let) for that advises and informs schools who…Continue reading »
- 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…Continue reading »
- SEN Reform: Resistance is Futile. It’s time to Boldly Go and Make it SoAre we there yet? Well, yes, all bar the shouting, all systems are go for September 1st and SEN reform…Continue reading »
- SEN Minister Ed Timpson talks to Special Needs Jungle (video)We are approaching the SEN reform legislative finish line with Parliamentary approval of the new SEND Code of Practice so…Continue reading »
- Strategies to support expressive languageIn my most recent post on SNJ, I talked about how difficult it can sometimes be to identify when a…Continue reading »
- Parents in the cold over developing the Independent Supporter roleCuriouser and Curiouser. No sooner does the Council for Disabled Children reveal the names of those organisations picked to provide…Continue reading »
- SEN reform: All about the Independent SupporterYou may have heard that in the new SEN system, parents can ask for support through an Education, Health and…Continue reading »
- Special Brothers and Sisters: A book reviewSpecial Brothers and Sisters: Stories and Tips for Siblings of Children with a Disability or Serious Illness A Review of this…Continue reading »
- The school that builds hope, self-esteem and futuresThe marquee had an extension for Founder’s Day this year. Our first end of summer term Prize Day came in…Continue reading »
- 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…Continue reading »
- Meeting the MinisterOn Monday, Tania and I, along with Steph from Steph's Two Girls, headed into London for our meeting with the Minister.…Continue reading »
- Charlie’s farm project to create accessible holidays in DevonOur columnist Charlie Mead has been quiet of late. I sometimes see Facebook posts of him at various locations around…Continue reading »
- Advising parents about SEN reform? Don’t bother, unless you know the FACTSEd Timpson, the Children & Families Minister in charge of the SEN reforms has made a little YouTube video which…Continue reading »
- How the respite of a Short Break can keep a family togetherParents often talk to me about the unavailability and inaccessibility of respite. They are concerned that there is nothing available…Continue reading »
- My hopes for the new Education Health & Care Plan (EHCP)EHCP stands for Education Health and Care Plan. Having given it some thought, this is what I want the EHCP to…Continue reading »
- Children and Families Act: the ConcernsLast week, I was fortunate enough to be a speaker at the Towards a Postive Future conference in London. One…Continue reading »
- Mencap celebrate firsts for Learning Disability WeekEach year, the charity Mencap ask us all to join together for Learning Disability Week; a time to share information, campaign…Continue reading »
- Autism in Pink: Helping to identify undiagnosed girls with ASDAutism used to be thought to be mainly a male preserve - "the extreme male brain" as described by Prof.…Continue reading »
- SEN Code of Practice: what does this look like in Schools?At Special Needs Jungle, we are parents of children with SEN ourselves, so we know that you will never have the…Continue reading »
- Not warriors, but hopemongersWarrior Mum ♦Parent Activist ♦ Campaigner These are phrases frequently applied to SEN parents, you might even label yourself this way. I've had…Continue reading »
- Home straight: SEND reforms target pre-summer legal finish lineThree days ahead of the deadline for pre-summer parliamentary approval, the Department for Education yesterday laid before Parliament its final…Continue reading »
- A mother’s SEN statementing battle for her Asperger’s sonMany children with Asperger syndrome go undiagnosed for years, some into adulthood. Even when they are diagnosed young, it is…Continue reading »
- Assess, Plan, Do, Review: involving parents in the new SEN Graduated ResponseSEN Departments in local authorities in England are currently (or should be) working feverishly on a new "Graduated Response" document…Continue reading »
- Nine principles for supporting children’s comprehension“It’s a strange world of language in which skating on thin ice can get you into hot water” – Franklin…Continue reading »
- SEN reforms: A school leader’s perspective on the forthcoming changesNext week, I'm taking part in a round-table discussion as part of a conference about the SEN reforms. Not that…Continue reading »
- SEN Facts & Figures InfogramA few facts about SEN for you today that we've made into this spiffing infogram. The figures are taken from…Continue reading »
- Kids, Mothers and Ehlers Danlos Awareness MonthIt's the last day of Ehlers Danlos Awareness Month and, of course, I've left it to the last day to…Continue reading »
- Mia takes after Mum helping siblings of kids with Down’s syndromeAs our newborn, youngest daughter, just diagnosed with Down's syndrome, remained in the neonatal intensive care unit, I recall returning…Continue reading »
- Top tips & simple, effective resources for supporting children with Visual ImpairmentAs you may know, my son J has a visual impairment. During the first few years of his life, I…Continue reading »
- How Jonah’s parents are connecting families with his rare disease -and how you can tooAs an online manager of international patient communities for many different rare diseases, I receive emails every day from parents…Continue reading »
- Targets and tests make teacher too busy to listen to my childOver the last few weeks, I have read several articles about teachers and head teachers leaving their chosen profession due…Continue reading »
- Pitching the SEN Code of Practice to parentsLast Thursday, I was representing Special Needs Jungle among a group of parent carer organisations and forums at the Department…Continue reading »
- Seclusion Rooms: What Every Parent and Professional Should KnowSharon Paley is based in the UK at the British Institute of Learning Disability (BILD). She is currently undertaking a…Continue reading »
- Battling anxiety: Mental Health Awareness WeekIt's Mental Health Awareness Week and the theme chosen for 2014 is Anxiety, something that affects children with special needs…Continue reading »
- Personal Budgets: the Good, the Bad and the UglyThere has been much mention of Personal Budgets within the process of the Children and Families Act. There has also…Continue reading »
- 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…Continue reading »
- Naming Independent Special schools in a new EHCP: All about Section 41In the new Children and Families Act 2014, parents will be able to request a placement (rather than express a…Continue reading »
- 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…Continue reading »
- The importance of differentiation for children with special educational needsThere have been a number of articles in the media recently discussing the changes to the National Curriculum and teaching. …Continue reading »
- Protecting education for children with medical conditions and life-saving heart equipment for schoolsMuch of the unhappiness with the draft Children & Families Bill, now Act, stemmed from its exclusion of children with…Continue reading »
- Do children with SEN get a fair deal?This was the question being asked by Radio 5 Live this morning. Radio 5 Live broadcast today from Bromstone School…Continue reading »
- The Department for Education answers some practical questions about SEN reformThe upcoming reform in the way SEN support is delivered in schools and colleges in England brings with it much…Continue reading »
- Should Awareness Days Try Harder?Awareness day fatigue is a 21st century issue that has turned the the definition of supporting a cause into a…Continue reading »
- Is the revised Code of Practice Person-Centred?Further to Tania’s post last week on our initial views on the new draft Code of Practice, we’re still analyzing…Continue reading »
- The Revised SEN Code of Practice has ArrivedIt's somewhat more than fashionably late and let's hope, as I said the other day, that the reason is because…Continue reading »
- Dreaming Spires Await – but with no Disabled Students’ AllowanceI've been writing, nay, banging on, for some time about the way Higher Education students have been left out of…Continue reading »
- Personal Budgets and other SEN and Disability storiesEven though schools are closed for Easter, the Department for Education is still hard at work and managed to publish…Continue reading »
- Our experience trying out the future of Special Educational NeedsI have been lucky to meet a number of other SEN bloggers in person, one being Steph Curtis, of the…Continue reading »
- My son must make his own SEN decisions? Are you kidding?If you read our guest post a week ago from Jane McConnell of IPSEA about her "Red Lights" in the draft…Continue reading »
- The Positive Power of Assessment – finding the right routeWhat is it that is so interesting about children? It seems a simple question. Parents know their own children well…Continue reading »
- Autism Understanding Day – why hasn’t it caught on yet?Hayley asked an interesting question in her Down's Syndrome post last Friday - do we need awareness days? The answer…Continue reading »
- SEN reform: Can I still apply for a Statement?The weeks are ticking by since the Children & Families Bill became an Act. But does this mean that everything…Continue reading »
- A mother’s top tips for parenting your ADHD childI recently read an article written by professionals concerning Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The article focused on diagnosis and…Continue reading »
- The walking support that’s changing lives for special needs families.Last Sunday, I flew out from Heathrow to Northern Ireland, along with Renata Blower, our columnist and writer of one…Continue reading »
- The draft SEN & Disability Code of Practice 2014: Red light means danger – STOP!The draft SEN Code of Practice is late in being published and there is still no date for it to…Continue reading »
- World Down Syndrome Day 2014: Do we really need awareness days?‘There’s an awareness day for everything nowadays’ the rather jaded GP muttered in my direction recently, in a tone that…Continue reading »
- How well will ‘Local Offers’ reflect local people?As part of the SEN reforms, councils have a duty to provide a 'local offer' of services available in their…Continue reading »
- Risks and opportunities in the new SEN systemThe Children and Families Act is finally here, delivered by the stork The Department for Education with high hopes and expectations.…Continue reading »
- The Children and Families Act 2014 is bornDown at the Department for Education, the collective breath of expectant Ministers and civil servants was being held. Then, a…Continue reading »
- SEN Reform: Burning questions about Best EndeavoursI'm told, unofficially, that the Children & Families Bill is to receive Royal Assent - ie, approved by the Queen,…Continue reading »
- SEN law, Past, Present & Future from top SEN lawyer, Douglas SilasWhen I was about to apply for a statutory assessment in the hope of securing a statement for Son1, I…Continue reading »
- When and how to access speech and language therapyWhen you are concerned about your child’s development, it can be worrying and difficult to know where to go for…Continue reading »
- Treat SEN children fairly, local authorities toldThis report came out this week and we've now had the chance to write about it and we'd love to…Continue reading »
- My daughter’s journey with Alström SyndromeIn the wake of Rare Disease Day, the largest ever awareness campaign (now there's a challenge!) it's hoped that the…Continue reading »
- Why doctors MUST listen to patients and parent carersYou might have noticed that, here at SNJ's virtual HQ, we have a missing columnist. Renata Blower is a mother…Continue reading »
- SEN reforms – what happens next?At the end of January, we wrote about the SEN reforms – the story so far and promised a “What…Continue reading »
- Great stories and one huge eventHere's our personal picks from the past week's stories. Take a look and add your ownContinue reading »
- Rare Disease Day 2014: the largest awareness campaign ever, what’s next?I’ve been involved in the recognition and celebration of Rare Disease Day, which is today, for the past five years.…Continue reading »
- SEN & Disability – the long and winding roadToday we're thrilled to bring you a guest article from Lorraine Petersen OBE, who was until recently, the chief executive…Continue reading »
- SNJ’s favourite stories this week – Add yours too!Here are links to this week's stories that we liked enough to share on Twitter brought to you all in…Continue reading »
- Top tips for preparing for medical appointmentsElizabeth writes... It can be daunting going to any appointment. I see myself as relatively level-headed and as a speech…Continue reading »
- How our daughter benefits when rare disease groups collaborateTo highlight Rare Disease Day on 28th February, we're featuring some personal stories from parents whose children live with rare…Continue reading »
- Your chance to improve children’s mental health servicesMany parents contact us about their experiences with their local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, known as CAMHS. They've…Continue reading »
- Using One Page Profiles for your special needs childIn the draft new SEN Code of Practice, there is a brief reference to One Page Profiles and Person Centred…Continue reading »
- SNJ’s Pick of the week – Not to be missed!We had a post every day last week here on Special Needs Jungle, so check out below for ones you…Continue reading »
- The child inside: Do we need to label disability?As this Valentine’s Day approached, I began thinking about how much we all love all our children equally. How we…Continue reading »
- Ambitious #ruledout campaign against autism exclusionIt was a big day for me and Debs yesterday - two launches, some laughs and one inspiring speech…Continue reading »
- Rare Disease Day: My nightmare choosing chemo to help my son’s kidney diseaseAs you know, we're supporting Rare Disease Day here at SNJ both because it's very important and also for our…Continue reading »
- Jane’s SEN Reform campaign: A cautious celebrationLast month, Special Needs Jungle helped promote Jane Raca's campaign to change a vital part of the Children and Families…Continue reading »
- The Special Needs Tweek in Review – add yours too!Stories we've tweeted or retweeted that we thought were interesting - and you might too. So if you missed them,…Continue reading »
- My son has autism! Is anyone listening?Hello…can you hear me? Are you listening? I mean really listening? How often do we really listen to each other?…Continue reading »
- The 11th hour: Caring for Parent CarersThe Children and Families Bill moves ever closer to Royal Assent with amendments still being put forward. It's now at…Continue reading »
- Your views needed on supporting children with medical conditions at schoolThe upcoming Education, Health and Care Plan that will replace SEN statements, is intended to integrate a child or young…Continue reading »
- Help for parents worried about their child’s developmentIt's always a scary time when you realise your child isn't developing at the same rate as the children of…Continue reading »
- The #specialneeds week in review – SNJ’s top story picksThe stories you need to read from the past week about SEN, mental health, disability & rare conditions. You can…Continue reading »
- The parents working to find a cure for deadly Sanfilippo syndromeJonah was born in 2008 to excited parents in New York City. But at his first year check up, his…Continue reading »
- It’s not ADHD, it’s Sluggish Cognitive TempoHave you heard of "Sluggish Cognitive Tempo" (SCT)? It's apparently regarded by psychiatric professionals as a subtype of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder…Continue reading »
- The pathway to get SEN help after Sept 2014To break into our two parter about "The Story So Far in the SEN Reforms", the Department for Education yesterday…Continue reading »
- The Story So Far – SEN ReformsRecently, I've had messages from worried friends about what's happening in the SEN reforms. The first was, "My ex says…Continue reading »
- The @SpcialNdsJungle top tweet picks this weekA round up of what we tweeted, great links you might have missed (and you don't end to be on…Continue reading »
- The Disability Abortion Lie – when choice seems like no choiceIt’s easy to assume that the moral dilemma of whether to abort your unborn baby that you've learned has a…Continue reading »
- Getting back to paid work when your child has special needsHannah Postgate gave up her career to care for her daughter, Rosy who has special needs. When she wanted to…Continue reading »
- The Saga of SEN TransportSEN Transport - the very words send a shiver down many a parent’s spine; this aspect of the Jungle can…Continue reading »
- SNJ’s Pick of the week’s Tweets!Our favourite stories from the past week. Don't forget to share!Continue reading »
- How to communicate successfully with children with unclear speechBoth Helen and I specialise in working with children with phonological or speech sound production difficulties. According to the National…Continue reading »
- SNJ’s Best of the Week[View the story "SNJ's Best of the Week" on Storify]Continue reading »
- Celebrate the small smile when working with vulnerable childrenIn his daily work our columnist, Child Psychologist Charlie Mead, counsels children who find themselves in Care or "Looked-After". He is…Continue reading »
- No cash for key workers in the SEN reforms? There is now.News just in from the frontline... Just as many local authorities were grappling with the thorny, if not impossible, issue…Continue reading »
- Are Families Happy with the SEN reforms?During the Christmas break, as we struggled with the chaos that changes to routine can bring to our homes, the…Continue reading »
- SNJ’s #Blogchat with Hayley from DownsSideUp!Ain't technology grand? Just before Christmas Hayley from DownsSideUp and, as you know, a Special Needs Jungle columnist, "got together"…Continue reading »
2013
- Our best personal posts of 2013Storify by Tania Tirraoro Mon, Dec 30 2013 13:58:04 Our best personal posts of 2013 We have a lot of…Continue reading »
- Merry Christmas from Special Needs “Jingle”! Continue reading »
- Lessons in Love at ChristmasMany of us find Christmas an emotional season for all sorts of reasons. Gathering with distant family, catching up with…Continue reading »
- Win the SNJ Statementing Book + who won the TabToob?Tabtoob: Last month, we ran a post about Tabtoob - a great way of protecting our precious iPads from a…Continue reading »
- Cerebra supports a seat enabling family activities for disabled childrenCerebra, the charity that works improve the lives of children with brain-related conditions is aiming to make supermarket trips and…Continue reading »
- Changes announced in the SEN ReformsLast week, SEN reform Minister, Edward Timpson attended the Local Government Association Special Educational Needs Conference - a real mix…Continue reading »
- How growing up with disability can lead to a life of compassionWe often wonder at SNJ, as we all must, how our children with chronic illness, rare conditions or additional needs…Continue reading »
- Christmas is coming and my son is getting stressed…Christmas is coming and my son is getting stressed He's looking at his budget And feeling quite depressed His wish…Continue reading »
- Join us & back Jane’s campaign to improve legal rights in SEN Bill"We define ourselves as a society by the priorities we choose" Jane Raca Earlier this year, disabled rights campaigner, Jane…Continue reading »
- Children in Care, “ignored, abandoned & abused”, SNJ’s new columnist Charlie MeadHold on to your hats today, because Charlie's here! We are honoured to introduce you to our new columnist, highly…Continue reading »
- The end is nigh – deadlines and concerns around the Code of PracticeThe Special Educational Consortium (SEC) is a group of organisations who promote the rights of disabled children and children with…Continue reading »
- Two big days in one – one global, one personal, both huge news!Today is the International Day for People with Disabilities. The theme this year is “Break Barriers, Open Doors: for an inclusive…Continue reading »
- Some SEN statementing questions answeredA period of great change is coming to special needs education. It's quite probable that many parents of children with…Continue reading »
- Learning to spot speech & language problems from our newest SNJ ColumnistsToday it's our pleasure to welcome the two lovely ladies, Helen & Elizabeth from SpeechBlogUK as our latest columnists. As the…Continue reading »
- Fun in the SEN worldAs any parent knows, all children are individuals with their own personalities and I have spent hours wondering how I…Continue reading »
- Anti-Bullying Week 2013: The Future is Ours. Safe, Fun and ConnectedThis is a post you need to read and share if you have children who are online, whether they have…Continue reading »
- The Uniqueness of the SEN ParentColumnist Hayley Goleniowska writes: Last month, in my first column for Special Needs Jungle we explored the preconceptions that strangers…Continue reading »
- World Diabetes Day: How Type 1 affects childrenToday marks World Diabetes Day and we are delighted to have a guest article by Fiona Faure from The Children…Continue reading »
- Join Carers UK and act now so parent carers are not left behindRemember our post the other week about Parent Carers being left out of the Care Bill? It seems absurd that just…Continue reading »
- When Tania went to #BlogFest and other storiesFirst came the bad news. Debs, who was due to be my ‘carer’ for the day, wheeling me around the…Continue reading »
- School Refusal: won’t go or can’t go?My second column for Special Needs Jungle and I am very excited! I suggested to Tania that I write my…Continue reading »
- Confirmed: No statutory support for Uni Students in SEN reformsIt's quite a mountain to climb, getting into university. All those GCSEs, then A-levels or similar. Not to mention the…Continue reading »
- Hey, Earl Howe! We’re carers too!We're a little miffed here at SNJ. You might even describe it as pretty ticked off to say the least.…Continue reading »
- The letter ‘D’ for Disability, M’LudOn Wednesday, the House of Lords Grand Committee finally reached the amendments relating to part three of the Children &…Continue reading »
- Legal Aid: Judicial Review only for wealthy parents?When, as a parent, you hold your child’s final statement, complete with acceptable placement in your trembling hand, you may…Continue reading »
- Crossing over: have your say on moving to the new SEN systemAnd so, here it is. Despite my woeful failure to produce my intended article on the SEN reforms on Monday,…Continue reading »
- How to help manage your children’s painFollowing on from Monday's post, when I briefly talked about child2 having Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and suffering from pain, there is…Continue reading »
- Warrior to worrier: When an SEN mum drops the ballI was supposed to write a post today about an aspect of the SEN reforms, but as I haven't managed…Continue reading »
- Exposing quotes that reinforce Down’s syndrome myths: The TruthAnd now for a bit of mutual admiration as we introduce our third new columnist. We love the DownsSideUp blog…Continue reading »
- The Code of Practice – our best endeavoursBack in March, the Indicative Draft of the new SEN Code of Practice was launched - all 86 pages of…Continue reading »
- Something for the weekend: Draft Code of Practice published and lots moreWell, we did say, just at the start of the week, that it was going to be a busy autumn.…Continue reading »
- The Local Offer – what is it?We recently ran a quick survey to find out what people actually knew about the SEN reforms and also, how involved they…Continue reading »
- SEN Reform: It’s going to be a busy autumnIt’s about to be a busy time for the Children & Families Bill, currently mid-passage through the Houses of Parliament…Continue reading »
- Why online help is vital for people living with a rare disease you can only smellWe hear a lot about “invisible illness” and how young people with autism are judged or stared at because of…Continue reading »
- Is This It Mum? Forever?Have you, as a parent, ever sat down and thought "is this it?" Have you ever sat in despair wondering…Continue reading »
- 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,…Continue reading »
- Special Needs Jungle at the Paces SeminarOn Wednesday, Debs will be at the Paces Seminar -"The Biggest Changes in Special Education in 30 years". Paces: Supporting…Continue reading »
- NEW Special Needs Jungle site launched!It's been a nail-biting few days here in the SNJ bunker. We've been working on a new-look site for quite…Continue reading »
- Add the power of your voice to #ThisIsMyChildAs you know, Special Needs Jungle is delighted to be involved with the MumsNet #ThisIsMyChild campaign, reviewing its inaugural blog…Continue reading »
- Gently changing perceptions: DownSideUp, a blog we loveTania writes: I wanted to share a blog post with you I've just read from Hayley at DownsideUp Hayley's blog, about…Continue reading »
- The Sensory Story ProjectWe love The Sensory Story Project and have been watching it from its early stages. As a mum to a child with…Continue reading »
- NICE guidelines for treatment of autism in children and young people publishedNICE, The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, has today published new guidelines for the treatment of autism in children…Continue reading »
- NAS petition – Single point of appeal for EHC PlansThe NAS has launched a petition calling on the Government to amend the Children and Families Bill to create a single point of…Continue reading »
- #ThisIsMyChild MumsNet Special Needs campaignTania writes... MumsNet have today launched a new "myth-busting and awareness-raising" campaign called #ThisIsMyChild. It's been launched in response to requests…Continue reading »
- Does your child know “no means no”?Debs writes.... I am a trainer for my local Safeguarding Children Board and it is a subject I am passionate…Continue reading »
- How to talk to TigersHow to talk to Tigers? Why are Special Needs Jungle posting about Talking to Tigers? It really doesn't sound like…Continue reading »
- He did it! Son1, 15, made the summit of Kilimanjaro!Tania writes... [caption id="attachment_3077" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Son1, Luca, made it to the summit with other team members[/caption] For those of…Continue reading »
- Parental Co-Production : Your views neededOur recent post on Parental Co-production really seemed to hit home with many of you. We received several comments on…Continue reading »
- Is parental co-production just smoke and mirrors?Tania writes... If you're a regular reader of Special Needs Jungle you will know what big advocates we are of…Continue reading »
- Special Educational Needs Reforms – sorry, what?You know us, we talk about the reforms to SEN currently going through parliament. A lot. It's important stuff and…Continue reading »
- Pupil ranking plans are an epic fail for SEN childrenOh dear. We've always said communication is an issue with the SEN reforms but it's fairly obvious that it spans…Continue reading »
- Summer’s here: Where are we in the SEN reform process?Tania writes Well, good question. The answer is we're here, there, everywhere and nowhere, depending on which county you live…Continue reading »
- Kilimanjaro Update – no casualties so far!Tania writes... A quick update on the 17 boys, all with some form of special needs, including my eldest, who've…Continue reading »
- Brian Lamb’s Top 10 Tips for Engaging ParentsSince the publication of the Lamb Inquiry on Parental Confidence in Special Educational Needs, I am often asked what are…Continue reading »
- Research links gluten sensitivity to autismThis report is from Medscape Today and is about a study in PL0S One. Links at the bottom. A subset…Continue reading »
- Mindfull: A new online mental health service for teensTania writes... A new online service for adolescents with mental health problems is being launched today (Friday 5th July 2013).…Continue reading »
- Asperger’s, anxiety, Angels and an African adventureTania writes: Eighteen months ago, Asperger's Son1 signed up for the trip of a lifetime. His special(ist) school had joined…Continue reading »
- Children and Families Bill – you need to take action now [2]Debs writes We recently wrote about some of the changes being proposed in the Children and Families Bill that will…Continue reading »
- Children and Families Bill – you need to act now [1]Debs writes.... Last week, I had the pleasure of listening to Jane McConnell (IPSEA's Chief Executive) speak at the Towards…Continue reading »
- Evaluation of SEND pathfinder report – some nice weekend reading!The Children and Families Bill has had a busy week, having a third reading in the House of Commons and…Continue reading »
- Carer’s Week: Join me on the Carer’s Circle LineDebs writes.... During National Carers Week, I think we all give more thought to what being a carer actually means.…Continue reading »
- Carer’s Week: My son is a young carerIt's Carer's Week, organised and supported by quite a few charities in the UK Carers provide unpaid care by looking…Continue reading »
- 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…Continue reading »
- Contact A Family extends free benefits helpline serviceThe brilliant charity, Contact a Family, is from today offering an extended helpline service. Contact a Family has long been…Continue reading »
- Catch your kids being good with help from Maya AngelouTania writes: "Catch them being good" is the oft-repeated advice to help encourage positive behaviour in children. And it's good…Continue reading »
- Sayonara, School Action and School Action PlusDebs writes.... The Government is proposing to replace the current categories of School Action and School Action Plus with a…Continue reading »
- Dr Tony Attwood’s views on Asperger’s and girlsTania writes: I was recently lucky enough to attend a conference given by both the world-renowned expert in Asperger Syndrome,…Continue reading »
- Echolocation (aka Dolphin Boy)Deb writes.. Some of you may have read a report this week about the use of echolocation in blind children.…Continue reading »
- Labels: Love or Loathe them?Deb writes... Are labels a help or hindrance? Do you love them or loathe them? Do they change the way…Continue reading »
- Today is Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) Awareness DayThe PDA Contact Group have guest written a post for us - if you are experiencing this with your child,…Continue reading »
- Take the SEN reform awareness survey and grab a chance to win!Debs writes... Over the past 12 months, we have received a deluge of questions and queries about the SEN reforms.…Continue reading »
- Is this ASD research a potential game-changer?There is new research and findings about causes and potential therapies for autism every week, but the following caught my…Continue reading »
- Special Needs Jungle Drums!Some great stories, news and blogs from the last week, curated from us, just for you. Netbuddy Says...: Promoting good…Continue reading »
- Making the Disabled Children’s Charter a health priorityAs you are hopefully aware, the beginning of April saw a massive shake-up in the NHS and the creation of…Continue reading »
- Help kick-start a project to make low-cost Sensory Stories!Tania writes: So many of the people I meet who are involved with special needs have an absolute passion for…Continue reading »
- SEN protection to age 25 – unless you go to universityI've been pondering on the SEN section of the Children & Families Bill for a while and I am perplexed…Continue reading »
- Our son’s rare disease sparked a search for answers- and supportTania writes: I am often contacted by desperate parents searching for help with finding the special needs solutions for their children.…Continue reading »
- A personal take on depression: Would you recognise it in your child?Tania writes It's Depression Awareness Week, although with the state of the economy and the weather, it wouldn't surprise me…Continue reading »
- Working with parents as partners – a practitioner’s top tipsDebs writes... The Children and Families Bill, currently working its way through parliament is very big on practitioners in education,…Continue reading »
- Raising awareness of children’s conditions so rare, they’re undiagnosed.Tania writes: Recently, when Debs & I went to Westminster, we met Renata Blower, a Mum who blogs about her…Continue reading »
- My son and his literal worldDebs writes.... My eldest son, K lives in a very literal world and we spend half of our day trying…Continue reading »
- Parent Carer ForumsDebs writes.... Tania and I are both co-chairs of Parent Carer Forums and we do mention them quite a lot.…Continue reading »
- £27.3 Million grant fund to help low-income families with disabled or seriously ill childrenI tweeted this earlier, but think if I make a post about it, more people will see it and be…Continue reading »
- Autism Acceptance? It’s so much more than that…It's Autism Awareness/Acceptance Day, Month, whatever... lots will be written today about what autism is and what it isn't. No…Continue reading »
- A video about the Surrey SEN reform PathfinderTania writes: Here's a video made by the DfE about when Ed Timpson, the SEN Minister, came to Surrey. It…Continue reading »
- Special Needs Jungle meet SEN Minister, Edward TimpsonSo the big day arrived and of course, it was raining. Tania and I headed into London, to the Department…Continue reading »
- Draft SEN Code of Practice: Further viewsDebs writes.... As the Indicative Code of Practice was published, I was in Guildford delivering Early Support's Key Working in…Continue reading »
- Rough Draft SEN Code of Practice publishedLate yesterday, the DfE published the "Indicative draft Code of Practice" as a "work in progress" to go with the…Continue reading »
- Co-production is the key to SEN culture changeTania writes: Last week I spoke at a top-level conference for council Chief Executives and Leaders from the SE7 -…Continue reading »
- Government acts on calls for SEN ‘duty’ for health provision in reformsThe surprising and extremely welcome news today from the Department for Education (DfE) is that there will, after all, be…Continue reading »
- SEN reform progress report: ‘pathfinder champions’ chosenIt's been a bumper day of announcements and happenings surrounding SEN reform. First of all, came the publication of a…Continue reading »
- DfE publishes an easy-to-read version of Children and Families BillThe Department for Education has published an easy to read version of the children & families bill designed especially for…Continue reading »
- Rare Disease Day: My son has Retinopathy of PrematurityToday, 28th February is Rare Disease Day. It's an awareness raising day for the millions of people around the world…Continue reading »
- Children and Families Bill – the missing piecesEarlier this month, we shared our Initial Views on the Children and Families Bill. Since then, we have had chance…Continue reading »
- Special Needs Jungle has a new LinkedIn group!We have exciting news! Special Needs Jungle now has a brand new group on LinkedIn. While there are a couple…Continue reading »
- Early Years Development Journal from NCBThe NCB (National Children's Bureau) website has some brilliant free resources for parents, carers and practitioners available for download. One…Continue reading »
- SEN Reforms – The Minister visitsLast Friday a groups of parents from parent-carer forums around the country came together at the Department for Education to…Continue reading »
- Top Tips for Speech and Language Therapy – Part TwoHere is the second part of top tips for speech and language therapy from Helen & Elizabeth at SpeechBlogUK. If…Continue reading »
- Top Tips for Speech and Language Therapy – Part OneAs is often the case, I come across great resources and services for children with special needs on Twitter. I…Continue reading »
- Ten things I wish, with hindsight, I had knownDebs writes.... As we go through the Special Needs Jungle, we pick up tips, we gain confidence and we often…Continue reading »
- Children and Families Bill – initial viewsFinally, the wait is over and the Children and Families Bill, which includes the SEN reforms, has been published. Debs…Continue reading »
- Children & Families Bill publishedThe Children and Families bill, issued in draft form last year, has just been published. Within this bill are the…Continue reading »
- Rare Disease Day: How Dan’s rare disease didn’t stop his mainstream educationRare Disease Day is at the end of February, with the theme 'Disorders without Borders'. In Europe it's coordinated by…Continue reading »
- Special Needs Jungle named in The Times “Top 50 Sites To Make You Smarter”Wowzer! Special Needs Jungle has been named in the The Times (yes the UK national newspaper) as one of its "Top…Continue reading »
- Research backs Emma’s FACS battleOne of my fellow special needs mums, whom I met over Twitter, Emma Murphy, is spearheading a campaign highlighting the…Continue reading »
- Storytelling WeekMy colleagues over at NetBuddy have an article in The Guardian about Storytelling week and how to engage your children,…Continue reading »
- A morning with Monty, a very special boy.My good friend Angela, who is my 'co' in co-chair at Family Voice Surrey, always has an air of unflappability.…Continue reading »
- Ten tips when your child is newly diagnosed with a special need or disabilityA kid, not a condition You may have suspected, even all but known, but the moment when you finally get…Continue reading »
- Key Working : Whose Job Is It Anyway?When the SEND Green Paper was launched in March 2011, the Department for Education said they would “test the role…Continue reading »
- Chinese Whispers and Garth’s UncleAs you may have read on Friday, Special Needs Jungle has a new regular contributor in Debs Aspland, the director…Continue reading »
- Teenagers and suicide- a growing challenge for our timesMental health in adolescents with or without special needs is a growing concern and a particular interest of mine. I…Continue reading »
- Exciting news from Special Needs Jungle-bringing in a fresh perspective for 2013!I have some exciting news for Special Needs Jungle for 2013! In 2012, the site really took off and now…Continue reading »
- Ordering at Starbucks, Asperger’s styleYesterday, I took the boys shopping to Basingstoke. As I'm not currently able to walk far, I sat in Starbucks…Continue reading »
- Skiing, Steam Punk and a view to the futureHappy New Year and I hope you all had a great Christmas without too much stress! Ours was relatively quiet,…Continue reading »
2012
- Merry Christmas from Special Needs Jungle!Have a great Christmas from Tania, Son1 & Youngest .. and Leo the Labradoodle! See you in 2013.Continue reading »
- SEN Pre-Legislative Scrutiny report- a précis and my viewsThe Education Select Committee report on its pre-legislative scrutiny of the SEN draft bill has just been published. The scrutiny…Continue reading »
- My pick of parents’ guest posts on Special Needs Jungle this yearIn the last year I've been lucky enough to have had many parents write about their families and the issues…Continue reading »
- Vitamin D deficiency – ASD Youngest suffers, your child might too.BBC News today is running a story about Vitamin D deficiency in children. A lack of Vitamin D is linked…Continue reading »
- 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…Continue reading »
- Son1 is 15 today-and proof that the right support can work miraclesToday is the International Day for Persons With Disabilities, which will be marked worldwide. It's also Son1's 15th birthday and…Continue reading »
- Pathfinders, politics and parental co-productionLast Friday, our parent-carer forum in Surrey, Family Voice joined with Surrey LA and local voluntary and community services to…Continue reading »
- SEN Minister offers assurances to parents over Bill wordingI'm sharing this information received from the Council for Disabled Children which I hope you'll find interesting. ******** Edward…Continue reading »
- Speech Therapy to stay within educational provision – so said the man from the DfEOne question on many lips in the reform to the special educational needs system is, with the inclusion of health…Continue reading »
- Charlotte’s amazing brain – a heartfelt story about childhood strokeI happened upon a new blog via Twitter the other day, which told a powerful and emotional story about a…Continue reading »
- Keep Us Close – Scope’s campaign for better local disability servicesThe charity, Scope, which works to help children and families affected by disabilities, is currently campaigning for improvements to the…Continue reading »
- 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…Continue reading »
- Common sense prevails with more time to test the SEN reform proposals[caption id="attachment_2013" align="alignright" width="300"] Minister, Edward Timpson at the Select Committee today[/caption] Education Minister, Edward Timpson, has, it seems, listened…Continue reading »
- The Brain Injury Hub – a brilliant resourceAs part of Family Voice Surrey, I have visited The Children's Trust in Tadworth a number of times as they…Continue reading »
- 10 Tips for Developing Your Child’s Language Skills[caption id="attachment_1999" align="alignleft" width="180"] Vanessa king[/caption] I recently met Vanessa King, when she joined our Women in Business Network group…Continue reading »
- SEN Reforms: professional views to the select committeeThe Education Select Committee yesterday heard from various witnesses about the draft legislation on Special Education Needs. Over two and…Continue reading »
- Beech Lodge: A new school offering a practical approach to learningFor some children, a mainstream school setting can be overwhelming, particularly if they have learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia…Continue reading »
- Parents on the Warpath…and other storiesIt's been a difficult week for many parents at our school, who have discovered that our LA doesn't want to…Continue reading »
- Stop the DLA Takeaway campaign – your help neededStop the DLA Takeaway campaign - Contact a Family and The Children’s Trust need your help The Children’s Trust, Tadworth…Continue reading »
- When SEN Tribunal looms, seek legal adviceMany parents find themselves in the position, as they try to secure a statement for their child with special needs,…Continue reading »
- It’s Dyspraxia Awareness Week – be alert for early signsThe Dyspraxia Foundation is calling on families to be alert to the early signs of the condition in their awareness…Continue reading »
- Silent Sunday .. For all Parents of special needs kids Continue reading »
- The Special Needs Jungle Story SelectionThe Special Needs Jungle weekly news review is back! It was supposed to be away for just a week while…Continue reading »
- Deadline day for SEN select committee consultation – some viewsToday is the deadline for the Education Select Committee's call for responses to the draft SEN bill. I've seen a…Continue reading »
- Doing your best is all you can doToday I'm feeling a little sad. Youngest is off school again with joint pains in his legs. We've just been…Continue reading »
- SNJ on MumsNet – The Paralympic legacy debateSo, here I am, back from Sweden after what was an amazing meeting for people with limb disabilities from 12…Continue reading »
- Financial affairs advice for your special needs child for when you’re goneIt's a difficult subject to think about, let alone tackle, but for many parents of children with severe and complex…Continue reading »
- Thoughtful special needs blogs, top tips and news you can useIt's been a busy week for lots of special needs mum bloggers - as you'll see there are some fabulous,…Continue reading »
- Special Needs top tip: Elastic lacesSo, here is Special Needs Jungle's top tip of the day that I think many of you will find very…Continue reading »
- The SEN bill’s future is in the hands of.. well, what a welcome surprise!The last week has been really hectic with my boys going back to school and a huge workload, but I've just…Continue reading »
- Apologies – and it’s not even Friday 13thApologies to my email subscribers about the unfinished nature of their last post - it was, in fact, beautifully finished,…Continue reading »
- KFC dish out work placements to ‘shunned’ youngstersNews today of a great initiative to help young people who are socially disadvantaged to gain valuable work experience and…Continue reading »
- The SEN draft bill: Have your say – but be quick!The draft SEN bill is now out and will undergo pre-legislative scrutiny by the Education Select Committee. The committee last…Continue reading »
- All Change: Back to school news with the new draft SEN billBack to school for most children this week, except for my kids, whose school finally returns next Tuesday. I'd better…Continue reading »
- The draft SEN reform bill – some reactionsSo fare thee well, Miss Teather, just as the draft bill is published, you get the boot from your job.…Continue reading »
- Draft SEN legislation published and a response to my open letter to Sarah TeatherWell today is the day - the draft legislation has, rather unexpectedly, been published for the reform of provision for children and young…Continue reading »
- Read SEN & Disability News (Quick before they ban disability)The spotlight is firmly on disability in the media at the moment, with the Paralympics underway, not to mention the…Continue reading »
- What’s your experience of CAMHS?Many of our children have to be referred to CAMHS - The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service - to…Continue reading »
- August’s top bank holiday SEND storiesAfter a two week break, the Special Needs Jungle weekly curation of the best of special needs posts is BACK!…Continue reading »
- Special Educational Needs reform updateHope your summer is going okay! We're just back from Italy where we were devoured by relentless mosquitos day and…Continue reading »
- Does child protection protect children?This is a reblog of a great post from Debs at ChaosinKent. Debs is one of my personal heroines. She…Continue reading »
- Parent-carer forums – why not get involved?As you know, I'm co-chair of Surrey's parent-carer forum, Family Voice Surrey. I joined at the beginning of the year…Continue reading »
- Advice for SENCos – the parents’ perspective from Hayley GoleniowskiThis post originally appeared on the DownSideUp blog of Hayley Goleniowski, who writes about life with her beautiful daughter, natty, who…Continue reading »
- Autism updates, SEN stories and happy holidays!My top story this week is just out - a 90,000 drop in the number of children identified as having…Continue reading »
- Volunteering: The best way to spend your summerTania says: We're heading off for Italy this weekend and because both kids are autistic, we've always rented a villa…Continue reading »
- SEN and disability stories you mustn’t missThe summer holidays may be underway but the silly season for news certainly doesn't seem to have arrived as far…Continue reading »
- The Every Child in Need Campaign – help needed!A campaign is being launched today (Thursday 26th July 2012) aimed at protecting society's most vulnerable children from "damaging changes" proposed…Continue reading »
- School Exclusions: Statemented children 9 times more likely to be excludedStatistics published by the Department for Education today show that pupils with statements are nine times more likes to be…Continue reading »
- Tourette’s Syndrome – the facts and resourcesA condition that is often misunderstood and that is sometimes seen alongside ASD or ADHD is Tourette's Syndrome. Often inaccurately…Continue reading »
- Finally: summer, special needs stories and a teenage birthdayAh, so school's out for pretty much everyone from today..just in time for the summer sunshine to finally show itself.…Continue reading »
- Active listening: a core skill for SEN reformYesterday, MumsNet hosted a live web chat with Sarah Teather, Minister of State for Children and Families. I recently posted…Continue reading »
- SEN reform views and other newsYesterday I spoke on behalf of Family Voice Surrey at the Surrey County Council SEN pathfinder launch in Cobham. In…Continue reading »
- When the words move by themselves – it could be Visual StressI met a lady on Twitter a while back, Michelle Doyle, who was talking about 'Visual Stress'. I wasn't really…Continue reading »
- Keep out of the rain this weekend and review the week’s special needs stories insteadToday is the last day of school for my boys, apart from Founder's Day, tomorrow and we're all praying for…Continue reading »
- Feed a child with an old phoneJust a heads up about this in case you missed it on the news. [caption id="attachment_1497" align="alignleft" width="147"] Two meals…Continue reading »
- How NOT to prepare for the autistic child’s camping tripYoungest is off, after school, on a camping trip with his Year 8 cohort. They will set off to walk…Continue reading »
- Place2Be – the charity that makes a lifetime of difference to children in schoolsA while ago, I came across a great charity, working across the country to improve the emotional well-being of children, their…Continue reading »
- Special Free Schools – is it worth it?A few weeks ago, I was invited to attend a conference about the formation of special free schools. I couldn't…Continue reading »
- Fantastic week for awards – and some special needs news you can use too!So, er, I'll just mention it one more time - Special Needs Jungle WON the CHANGE award in the BritMums…Continue reading »
- Dear Miss Teather, an open letter about the pace of SEN reformDear Miss Sarah Teather I know you mean well. I know you really want to do something to help improve…Continue reading »
- The vulnerable children in Care in a #carelesssocietyTania's Note: Today I'm bringing you a post about what I think is the most important issue in our society…Continue reading »
- Special Needs Jungle a WINNER in BritMums Brilliance in Blogging Awards!So normally, I have posts about great resources but this post is about me, me, me! Last night, in London…Continue reading »
- Catch up on some fab Special Needs news and blogs from this weekSo, later today I am heading out for the BritMums bloggers conference and awards. As you know, Special Needs Jungle…Continue reading »
- Don’t rush SEN reform – get it right, not fastI've just watched the Education Select Committee on SEN - the Next Steps and many of the concerns raised mirror…Continue reading »
- Inspired: Youngest meets Dr Temple Grandin.Last night we had the privilege of going to see Dr Temple Grandin, the autistic woman famous for inventing humane…Continue reading »
- Who will care for our vulnerable ‘Looked After Children’ in a care-less society?There was a news report this morning about an investigation by MPs finding "serious weaknesses" in England's care system that showed…Continue reading »
- The week’s scoop on special needs and disability storiesToday (Friday) is a day full of SEN green paper meetings for the Surrey pathfinder for me and tomorrow it's…Continue reading »
- SEN child? Join me and NAS president, Jane Asher, on Sat 16 JuneSo, it's just a couple of days before the Towards a Positive Future Special Educational Needs conference in Newbury -…Continue reading »
- Pathological Demand Avoidance – one family’s storyPathological Demand Syndrome is increasingly being recognised as being on the autistic spectrum. People with PDA will avoid demands made…Continue reading »
- Food for thought: some great special needs posts and news this weekIt feels a bit surreal, being Friday already. Long weekends do that, don't they? And yet a whole week must…Continue reading »
- Floortime for Autism winner!A couple of weeks ago I featured an article about Floortime therapy for autism. See the post here. We ran…Continue reading »
- dear youI just read this blog post and thought, even though we're mums, not 'moms' that the sentiment is just the…Continue reading »
- Jessica Cox: Celebrating DeterminationHope you're all enjoying the Jubilee holiday. This blog often talks about the challenges faced by our SEN & disabled children and…Continue reading »
- Jubilee round up of special needs stories![caption id="attachment_1034" align="alignleft" width="135"] Me with Sons1 & 2[/caption] Ah, the Jubilee weekend is upon us. We're having a barbecue with…Continue reading »
- High Functioning Autism vs Aspergers: The emotions of labels.I've just read this really insightful blog by Violet's Diary and wanted to share it with you.Continue reading »
- Getting troubled kids riding high with the brilliant Wave ProjectWhile I was doing some research for DysNet, I came across a fantastic project that uses the beautiful Cornish coast…Continue reading »
- Research, articles & opinion – special needs news from this weekAn incredibly busy week, so I missed my Wednesday post as I was in Brussels to speak at a EURORDIS…Continue reading »
- SEN Green Paper response round up and other special needs storiesIt's been something of an eventful week for both Special Needs and Special Needs Jungle. Last week, I was called…Continue reading »
- SEN – The Next Steps – My views & Meridian Tonight featureSo, there's been much furore today about the headlines for proposals that 450,000 children be 'struck off' the SEN register.…Continue reading »
- The benefits of ‘Floortime’ for autism – and win tickets to a Floortime workshop!An US company that offers a unique therapy to help parents and professionals communicate better with children with autism/special needs,…Continue reading »
- Special Needs Jungle in the Daily Telegraph. What I really thinkThere's a story about SEN in the Daily Telegraph today "Can 20 per cent of schoolchildren really have special needs?"…Continue reading »
- Great special needs stories, blogs and a cute dog tooFor the first time this week, I'm alone in the house, apart from Leo the Labradoodle, currently sulking because he…Continue reading »
- SEN Green Paper: Ministerial “Detailed response” expected next weekSo, next week government ministers will set out their detailed response and reform timetable as their next steps in the SEN…Continue reading »
- Home educating a child with special needsMany parents who have children with special needs seriously consider home educating their child. It throws us lots of issues - especially…Continue reading »
- Special Needs Jungle – a FINALIST in the BritMums Blogging Awards!Just a quick one - to say THANK YOU to everyone who voted for Special Needs Jungle in the UK…Continue reading »
- Helping your special needs child – a mother’s storyA mum called Tanya contacted me the other day and asked to share her story about her journey to support…Continue reading »
- Eye-catching special needs news & autism articles from this weekAnother week of rain and economic gloom. Note to self, stop listening to the Radio 4 Today programme, it's starting…Continue reading »
- If ‘child centred’ help is a no-brainer, why isn’t it happening?One thing that's become very familiar in the last few years, both personally and from reading your comments and emails,…Continue reading »
- My pick of the posts about special needs this weekI've come across lots of interesting stories this week so here's my list of the cream of the crop of…Continue reading »
- Common sense solutions to solving dyslexia issuesLast week, while reading my SEN news feeds, I came across an article about dyslexia on the Conservative Home website…Continue reading »
- Special needs news you can use from the last weekAah, the boys finally returned to school mid-week. They've been off so long I'd almost forgotten the way there. I'm…Continue reading »
- Sensory needs met with a Body SoxMany children with special needs have sensory issues, including my two. Their school used Body Sox which Youngest absolutely loves.…Continue reading »
- Managing the relationship between children with autism and computersAdele Devine is a teacher at Freemantles School for young people with autism in Surrey. She, along with her husband,…Continue reading »
- TGIF: And a chance to see the week’s special needs news & viewsThis week we've had sunshine, showers, hail as big as marbles and thunder and lightning... it must be April. I've…Continue reading »
- Why I turned my back on my TV news careerRecently I appeared in Woman magazine - a small section in a feature entitled, "Meet the regret-me-nots" My piece was…Continue reading »
- The lifetime legacy of special needs left by meningitisI recently met the chief executive of The Meningitis Trust, Sue Davie, and heard her talk about the hidden after-effects…Continue reading »
- Cracking special needs stories for the Easter weekendHappy Easter! Why not spend a few minutes this long weekend to catch up on some of the past week's…Continue reading »
- Addressing the special needs post-19 provision problemProvision for young people with special needs after they leave school is a big issue for many parents. Although technically…Continue reading »
- World Autism Day April 2This is from the United Nations about World Autism Day: The annual observance of World Autism Awareness Day should spur…Continue reading »
- Catch up time: Read the special needs stories you may have missedA diverse list of stories and posts this week, but all interesting reads. As ever, leave your own story link…Continue reading »
- Conversations with an Aspie teenWhen your Asperger's son is deep in adolescence, it's sometimes hard to tell whether their behaviour and conversation is more…Continue reading »
- Shortlisted for BritMums award – Why SNJ is all about CHANGEThrilling news - The Special Needs Jungle blog as been shortlisted in the BritMums Brilliance in Blogging Awards "Change" Category…Continue reading »
- What’s been said about special needs on the web this weekFriday's come around again - this one marks the day my boys break up for Easter and don't go back…Continue reading »
- Special needs experts offer views for Labour’s SEN policy reviewEarlier this week, I attended a meeting at Westminster for Labour's SEN policy review, chaired by MP, Sharon Hodgson, Labour's Shadow…Continue reading »
- Unofficial exclusions – Has it happened to your child?Some schools in England are illegally excluding pupils, sometimes permanently, without going through the full formal process, a report says.…Continue reading »
- Catch up with special needs news you may have missed this weekAnother Friday is here - just one week to go before my boys break up for an almost-month-long Easter break.…Continue reading »
- Got the statement? Great, but your work’s not over yet.Many parents are so relieved to get that letter saying the LEA has decided to issue a statement of special…Continue reading »
- Catch up with the best special needs blogs and news from this weekSo many autism, Asperger's, dyslexia, ADHD and other special needs stories this week. This is my pick of the best…Continue reading »
- If your SEN child loves computers.. watch this video[caption id="attachment_982" align="alignleft" width="150"] Source: Wiki[/caption] I've talked a lot on this site about the need to improve IT teaching…Continue reading »
- I want your statementing storiesI get emails from lots of people with questions about statementing and I do my best to answer them within…Continue reading »
- Blogs, News & View in Special Needs this weekWandering the special needs web this week, I found the following blogs and news stories you might be interested in.…Continue reading »
- Exciting news – a conference speaking invitationI have exciting news - I am to be a keynote speaker at the forthcoming SEN Conference, Towards a Positive…Continue reading »
- Labour SEN Policy Review – want to get involved?This is taken from the website of Sharon Hodgson MP, but I thought it might be useful to post it…Continue reading »
- Roaming the Special Needs web this week…Another busy week in the news and blogs - here's some of my favourites as well as a round up…Continue reading »
- Conference for parents of children with special educational needs and professionalsNational Autistic Society president, Jane Asher, will be speaking at a conference in Newbury, Berkshire, in June for parents of…Continue reading »
- Games Workshop – the perfect hobby for YoungestUntil recently, Asperger's Youngest had no interests that didn't involve a computer or a games console. [caption id="attachment_908" align="alignleft" width="240" caption="Youngest explains…Continue reading »
- Special needs stories you’ll want to read this weekSome great stories and blog posts about special needs that I spotted this week. If you have one of your…Continue reading »
- What did you miss? Special Needs stories from the last weekIt's a bumper round-up of special needs stories and blogs this week - check out what you might have missed:…Continue reading »
- Josh’s book aims to help parents of Asperger’s kidsA student with Asperger's syndrome has written a book to help parents who have children with the disorder. Joshua Muggleton,…Continue reading »
- SEN stories in the past weekInteresting special needs stories from the last week. If you have one I missed, leave it in the comments! Podcast:…Continue reading »
- Kosovan special needs parent group appealA Kosovan special needs parent group has been in touch with the UK website Netbuddy, looking for help. They are…Continue reading »
- Poll results – Should children with Asperger’s automatically be statutorily assessed?Last year I published a poll on this site asking whether people thought children diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome (quick, use…Continue reading »
- Special needs stories this weekSome interesting stories this week... Special Needs Jungle: Read the views of a woman at the coalface of SEN: Empowering…Continue reading »
- Empowering parents is the goal for PatI'm delighted today to introduce a guest blog post from Pat Bolton, who works with a small team of Participation Practitioners…Continue reading »
- SEN Stories in the news this past weekRecap of SNJ posts and other news about SEN this week: TodayOnline: New definition of autism will exclude many, study suggests …Continue reading »
- Disability groups call for pause for thought in welfare reformThe NAS has today thrown its weight behind a call for the government to reconsider its plans for welfare reform…Continue reading »
- SEN stories in the news this weekIt's been a busy week of posts on Special Needs Jungle. I've listed a round up below along with some…Continue reading »
- A new SEN Advice service from Contact-a-FamilyContact a Family, the national charity that helps support parents with disabled children has launched a new SEN National Advice…Continue reading »
- IT teaching overhaul announced – about time too!Michael Gove, the Education Secretary has today announced an overhaul of the way IT is taught in schools. This is great news…Continue reading »
- Questions please for my stint at TheSchoolRunTheSchoolRun website is packed to the gills with great ideas to help your child's learning. It's bright, colourful and is…Continue reading »
- Report finds government misled MPs and peers of disability benefit reformA NEW REPORT entitled Responsible Reform, published today by disabled people (9 January 2012), finds that government misled MPs and peers over…Continue reading »
- Which learning resources help SEN kids? Take this surveyAnn Beck, of The Gift of Learning has asked me to help get her message out about a survey she's…Continue reading »
- Teachers didn’t understand my bright sons’ ASD, says Tania Tirraoro (SEN Magazine)I've just been sent a pdf of my article that was in the last issue of SEN Magazine. The magazine…Continue reading »
- 2012 brings a School Run SEN Qn’A and a win for Pat! #specialneedsIt's January 6th and my boys are still off school; they finally go back on Monday. It's been an interesting…Continue reading »
- Resilient Parenting – A Guest post by Lesley McCall, NLP & Hypnotherapy PractitionerHappy New Year! At this time of the year, we're often thinking about how we can change our lives, and…Continue reading »
2011
- Special Educational Needs stories of the weekThis will be the last one of the year as i take a break and concentrate on my boys for…Continue reading »
- Christmas Giveaway – a copy of my SEN Book'Tis the season and all that, and I'm giving away one copy of my SEN book, Special Educational Needs -…Continue reading »
- SEN & Special Needs Stories I’ve spotted this weekHere's my usual round up of the more interesting special needs stories in the UK this week. SEN Magaine: Better…Continue reading »
- “What’s the difference between a problem child and a child with a genuine problem? – VideoI'm delighted to highlight a programme about identifying a child with ADHD. Do you recognise your child from the descriptions…Continue reading »
- SEN round up for this weekBelow are stories with an SEN angle that caught my eye this week. The Sun: Dance taught autistic Shannon to speak…Continue reading »
- Book Review of Special Educations Needs: Getting Started with StatementsSpecial Educations Needs: Getting Started with Statements – the parent to parent guide to getting your child the help they…Continue reading »
- IPSEA – A wonderful charity for free advice and support for SENIn my book, Special Educational Needs, Getting Started With Statements, I make several references to a special educational needs charity called…Continue reading »
- SEN stories that caught my eye this week (w/e2nd Dec)Here are some stories I liked this week as well as some of my own SEN posts from the week…Continue reading »
- SENAC for Special Needs Advice in Northern IrelandIf you're in Northern Ireland and you're looking for help with getting your child the special educational needs support they…Continue reading »
- Why I’m backing the call for a revolution in ICT teachingMy younger son (or Youngest as he's known around here) is a 12 year old computer wizard. He has so…Continue reading »
- Finished at School – Important Campaign by Ambitious about AutismToday I am delighted to feature a guest blog from Anabel Unity Sale of Ambitious about Autism to highlight their Finished…Continue reading »
- SEN Stories of interest in the last weekBelow are a few of the more interesting stories I've seen about SEN in the past week. If you'd like…Continue reading »
- What do parents of a newly-diagnosed child need?I recently attended the launch of Family Voice Surrey, the new local forum for parents and carers of children with SEN…Continue reading »
- My article in SEN Magazine: Can teachers recognise SEN in bright pupils?I have an article in the current issue of SEN Magazine, entitled Can teachers recognise SEN in bright pupils. [caption…Continue reading »
- SEN stories that caught my attention this week.Here are some stories I found interesting that touch on Special Educational Needs in the press this week. To get…Continue reading »
- 1-2-3 Magic – the discipline system that saved my sanityWhen you have children on the Autistic Spectrum, finding an effective solution to help with discipline is not easy. Out…Continue reading »
- Autism diagnoses are more common in an IT-rich region.A new study from Cambridge University has for the first time found that autism diagnoses are more common in an…Continue reading »
- A brilliant review of my SEN book from an award-winning bloggerThis review is kindly reproduced with permission from Claire Sarcone, author of the award-winning "A Boy With Asperger's" Blog I remember all too…Continue reading »
- Education and Training (Young People with Autism) Bill introduced.A private member's bill has been introduced in parliament to make provision for the education and training of young people with…Continue reading »
- Groundbreaking dance DVD to help kids with autism.Anna Kennedy is an inspirational figure. She is the mother of two sons, one with autism, one with Asperger Syndrome.…Continue reading »
- My article in SEN Magazine – order a trial copy for freeI'm very excited as I have an article in the new edition of SEN Magazine. It's in their 'Point of…Continue reading »
- Ritalin, talking therapies and what I think our kids really need…The Health Minister, Simon Burns has said that the chief medical officer and the NHS medical director are planning to…Continue reading »
- About SOS!SEN, a fantastic SEN charitySOS!SEN is a small charity based in Middlesex that offers a fantastic service to parents who are trying to secure…Continue reading »
- Paperback of my Statementing book now available at AmazonGreat news! The paperback of my SEN parents' book, "Special Educational Needs - Getting Started With Statements" is now available…Continue reading »
- GAPS – Early screening test for Specific Language Impairment & DyslexiaHave you heard of GAPS? The chances are, the answer is no. And yet it's billed as a highly accurate,…Continue reading »
- Part Two, SEN conference, Towards a Positive Future, ReviewThis is the second part of the SEN conference review in Newbury, leading, logically enough from ... Part One Former…Continue reading »
- SEN conference, Towards a Positive Future, Review part one.I attended a very interesting conference on special educational needs on Friday. It was held to mark the launch of…Continue reading »
- One Mum’s Statementing ViewsHere is a parent's view of the statementing battle for her son and her advice about the process. I wish…Continue reading »
- Busy weekend for SEN Events.Yesterday, I got a mention in The Guardian's Education Cribsheet regarding my new book - what a lovely surprise. It's…Continue reading »
- Five star review for Getting Started With StatementsMy new book, Special Educational Needs - Getting Started With Statements has just had its first Amazon review. Wordswell gave…Continue reading »
- Special Educational Needs – Getting Started With Statements Unique new parent-to-parent ebook launched to help SEN children with ‘hidden disabilities’ get the help they need.Today my book on is launched as an ebook. Here is the press release FARNHAM, 10th October 2011: A mother…Continue reading »
- My new book for parents looking for SEN help – launched Monday 10th October 2011On Monday, I officially launch my new book aimed at helping parents of special needs children get the education they…Continue reading »
- Unofficial Exclusions – we want to hear from you.Yesterday, I was talking to a friend of mine who is a highly experienced SEN Advocate. I told her of…Continue reading »
- The sidelong glances that can cause anguishOne of the most difficult things to cope with when your child has a 'hidden' disability that affects their behaviour…Continue reading »
- Autism Alert Card Developed by local group.Autism Rights Group Highlands has developed its own Autism Alert card. The ARGH Autism Alert card is designed and produced by…Continue reading »
- NICE Publishes Guidelines on AutismNew recommendations have been published aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of children and young people with autism. NICE,…Continue reading »
- The Misunderstood Child – by Kathy WintersThis wonderful poem has been around for a while but I thought it might strike a chord with some of…Continue reading »
- Special Needs Jungle Facebook PageSpecial Needs Jungle now has a Facebook page, where I will post SEN news updates and blog post notifications. Do…Continue reading »
- The SEN Green Paper: history repeating – from SEN MagazineThe following article extract is taken with permission from SEN Magazine, the UK's leading special educational needs magazine. The SEN…Continue reading »
- Great Expectations – Educational Support campaign from NASThis post is reproduced with kind permission from the National Autistic Society Half of all children with autism wait over…Continue reading »
- The Disney Channel & AspergersMy eldest, who is autistic, likes to watch the Disney Channel. My youngest, who is also autistic, derisively calls it…Continue reading »
- The SEN Green PaperI've been wading my way through the Green Paper on SEN and one thing really sticks out - what happens…Continue reading »
2010
- A Good Image for Asperger Syndrome[caption id="attachment_405" align="alignleft" width="169"] Cover for This Last Summer[/caption] I'm about to blow my own trumpet, so look away now…Continue reading »
- Green Paper on SEN – Get Your Voice HeardYou have a chance to comment on the newly published Green Paper on children and young people with special educational…Continue reading »
- The Right Support Gets ResultsClare's son was written off as lazy by teachers as a child. Severely Dyslexic and Dyspraxic, he faced an uphill…Continue reading »
2009
- Should children with Asperger Syndrome automatically be statutorily assessed?What's your opinion - should children diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome automatically be statutorily assessed? I think they should because despite…Continue reading »
- The Lamb Inquiry – a reviewThe long-awaited Lamb inquiry has finally been published today. In it, its author, Brian Lamb has called for a major…Continue reading »
- The Lamb InquiryThe Lamb inquiry, an investigation into the provision of SEN in the UK and the production of recommendations by its…Continue reading »
- New Autism Act Passes Final HurdleThe National Autistic Society is today celebrating the passing into law of the Autism Act. The following is from their…Continue reading »
- Don’t Write Me Off – NAS campaignThe National Autistic Society has today released figures showing that only 15% of adults with an autustic spectrum disorder are…Continue reading »
- Daily Mirror Launches Caring For Carers CampaignThe Daily Mirror is today launching a new "Caring For Carer's" campaign to highlight the disgraceful situation regarding the level…Continue reading »
- Back to school – but is it the right one?For the first time since my sons started at their special school, this term we have had no fees to…Continue reading »
- More House – A School To Be Proud OfSaturday was the last official day of term - Founder's Day. This is something we all look forward to and…Continue reading »
- Books I recommend for Special NeedsI have quite a collection of books about special needs and parenting and thought I would share some recommendations with…Continue reading »
- Journey’s End for our Statement – And a Brighter Future.Just to update the post about my son getting the statement of Special Needs, we've just heard that the LEA…Continue reading »
- Rose Dyslexia report – will it be enough?Government adviser Sir Jim Rose's report on dyslexia has been widely reported today. BBC News said, "More teachers will be…Continue reading »
- An Actor’s Life For Him.My 11 year old has just had his first co-starring role in a school play. He's currently playing Ratty in…Continue reading »
- Asperger’s Links Blog[caption id="attachment_275" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="The new Asperger's Links site"][/caption] I've just started another new site which concentrates on resources for…Continue reading »
- Give ASD children the school provision they needThe Times today (Saturday 13 June 2009) has an article about children with special needs being excluded from school. It…Continue reading »
- Mother behind autism advert meets Brown – London Evening StandardMother behind autism advert meets Brown - London Evening Standard A mother who wrote a message to Gordon Brown on…Continue reading »
- Child-Free.. as free as the wind blows..This morning, without so much as a backwards glance, both our autistic children climbed on board a coach with their…Continue reading »
- See my other blog – Not As AdvertisedI've decided to start a second blog. I know, that's just greedy but there are plenty of them to go…Continue reading »
- UK lacks Adult Autism/Asperger’s ServicesThe news today that eight out of ten doctors need more help to spot autism shows the huge gap in…Continue reading »
- Long ago..when I was somebodyLong, long ago, before I was 'Special Needs Mum', I had a great career as a television journalist and news…Continue reading »
- Many autism cases ‘undiagnosed’ – BBC NewsA significant number of children with autism and related disorders could be undiagnosed, a study has suggested. (Reports BBC News…Continue reading »
2008
- SEN Assessment Form Part 2Further to the earlier blog 'The SEN Assessment Form - Yikes!' I thought it might be useful for some people…Continue reading »
- Diary of a Special Needs Mum Pt2Despite the hassle of the average pre-school morning, I always look forward to picking up my children after a hard…Continue reading »
- The SEN Assessment Form – Yipes!A few people have mentioned to me how daunting they find the form that comes for you to fill in…Continue reading »
- Diary of a Special Needs Mum Pt 1I was talking to the head of the Juniors Department at my sons' school the other day. She noted that…Continue reading »
- Get to Grips with the SEN Code of PracticeWhen you dive into the world of SEN provision, you will undoubtedly come across a document called the SEN Code…Continue reading »
- Angel of MercenarySomeone rear-ended my car yesterday while I was waiting in a queue of traffic. My 8 year old ASD son…Continue reading »
- Really good siteIf you're trying to get a statement for your child take a look at this website. Douglas Silas runs a…Continue reading »
- It’s all about the school.Yesterday, my son was discharged from regular check ups with his nurse practitioner at his specialist clinic, a cause for…Continue reading »
