Archive

You may be feeling like the Department for Education has beaten you into submission this year with confusing consultation after…

Where has the time gone?  It doesn't seem a year ago since we were welcoming 2014 and wondering what the…

This is a (sort of) quick post to wish you all a Merry Christmas. We're taking a break from all-new…

The response to our Legal Agony Aunt service that we bring you in collaboration with Jane McConnell, CEO of the…

The new SEND system has now been in place for a whole term and the first children and young people…

Christmas is almost upon us and it seems like it’s been a long time coming. The retail hype seems to…

As a registered carer, I recently qualified for a free flu jab at my GP surgery. This is really important…

We often talk about "invisible disability", when someone's impairments are not visible just by looking. It affects those with higher-functioning…

“It's the most wonderful time of the year!” So the song goes, and for many children at least (not so…

Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities.  Each year there is a different focus to the day, and this…

How goes the Local Offer? Do you really, really want to know? At the end of last week three reports…

I've written about my boys' special (ist) school, More House, on several occasions before. My sons joined in 2007 and…

The Experiences of One Mum Raising a Child with Special Needs in Greece Millie Slavidou is a writer of children's…

As you may know, the new Education, Health and Care plan extended the right to statutory protection for a young…

It's almost the end of Anti-Bullying Week and as we started the week talking about bullying and SEND young people,…

The new Children and Families Act is supposedly person (and family) centred, i.e. the child (and family) should be at…

It's Anti-Bullying Week this week. New figures show that 40% of young people in an ongoing research study of English…

I've long had an interest in the use of alternative therapies and took Youngest to see a Bowen Therapist when…

If there's one thing we love at SNJ, it's hearing about parents who've faced challenges with their children's health or…

A very quick post to tell you about something we're really pleased about: our SNJ Flow Charts that we produced…

It seems that yesterday's post resonated with many, but what most missed was the little reference to my "not mentioning"…

I'll admit it, I'm struggling. I thought I'd done all the hard work with Son1 and his statutory support. He's…

It's that time of year when parents and carers of children with long-term health conditions begin to feel nervous. How do…

I'm lucky enough to be sent books by certain publishers with a view to reviewing them. Of course it's not…

On Friday we hosted a Twitter Chat with Jane McConnell of IPSEA. It was a busy and fun and we've…

[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…

Learning how to teach children with special educational needs is one of the lowest-rated aspects of teacher training for primary school…

I recently met Garry Freeman, Director of Inclusion and SENCo of Guiseley School in Leeds at a Westminster Briefing I…

Recently, we shared with you a a list of things people had said to families; the ignorant things that no…

It happens to the best of us, we all have bad days. Sometimes despite meticulous planning, fantastic ideas and the…

As a mum of children with special needs, I know I have walked out of meetings and thought, "Seriously? did…

Today is World Mental Health Awareness Day and I thought it would be a good opportunity to write about keeping…

This post isn't specifically about special needs, but it's for all teachers and parents everywhere to help you stay safe…

A month in and the new SEN system is still an unknown quantity for many schools. SENCos are still getting…

We have all to one extent or another, faced difficult times, whether in our family, school or working lives. We…

Earlier in the year I went with Angela to the London Leadership Strategy conference where I was speaking on a panel…

As you know, SNJ is a parent-driven site and we share your challenges of raising children and young people with…

What an exciting week! On Monday we announced our brand new legal agony aunt, Jane McConnell of IPSEA. She's already…

We all have a basic need to be accepted by others. As many families affected by a disability know however,…

Last week we had our very first Twitter chat and our guest was Stephen Kingdom, Deputy Director of SEND at…

Reading some blogs the other day, I came across one by a teacher about inclusion. It's a topic that can…

We're super-excited today to announce some fantastic news that we hope will help us help many more parents and carers.…

Why fit in when you were born to STAND out? Dr Seuss's Advice for Aspies

Christina Lydon is one of those gems that you stumble across on social media, someone doing something interesting, worthwhile and…

Here is a round up of tweets and answers from last night's Tweetchat with Stephen Kingdom, Deputy Director of SEND…

Hark! I hear screeching tyres swivelling in a U-turn.. or is it just the sound of a General Election approaching?…

With the new SEND system giving help to young people, in some cases, as far as age 25, more attention…

We're really pleased to announce that we will be hosting a Twitter chat for the Department for Education about the…

Last week the Department for Education published the latest statistics about SEN in England. I've chosen a few of them…

I'm anticipating the next school year with a good deal of trepidation, thanks to the new SEND system. Some day…

As a mum of a daughter with Down's Syndrome, I understand at first hand how hard it is to make…

This morning, the BBC had a report on the SEND reforms and queried whether parents (or schools) were ready for them.…

Tania's note: Today, we are delighted to feature a guest post from Steve Broach.  For those who don't already know him…

September 1st 2014 - SEND Commencement Day! It's the date that has appeared in the dreams of those in the…

As a result of the SEN reforms, the landscape around special needs has suddenly got a whole lot more complicated. Local…

The Summer is almost over and as parents we are either reluctantly or desperately looking to the start of the…

Below is all our new SEND system system flow charts linked to one page. Do share, send, save and suggest…

I think, somehow, that this might prove to be an oft visited post. While the government's aims are for high…

And so, day three... You've applied for an assessment for your child's special educational needs and lo! you get the…

So, after yesterday's post showing the headlines for the Assess, Plan, Do, Review Graduated Approach, we now turn to what…

Anyone a bit confused about how the new SEN system process, starting on 1st September 2014, will piece together? Where…

A new guide aimed at explaining the new SEND Code of Practice to parents has been published by the Department…

Well, 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…

I'm seen as a mum who is strong and proactive (some call this passionate, some call it bolshy, and others…

I'm imagining a champagne cork or two is being popped in the Department for Education SEND Division today - the…

You can't have missed it. The story of little baby Gammy, supposedly left by his parents in Thailand with his…

SNJ's lovely PA, Charlotte, has reviewed a copy of a very useful book(let) for that advises and informs schools who…

Over the last few years, like many parents, we have been focussing on the forthcoming Children and Families Act.  We've…

Are we there yet? Well, yes, all bar the shouting, all systems are go for September 1st and SEN reform…

We are approaching the SEN reform legislative finish line with Parliamentary approval of the new SEND Code of Practice so…

In my most recent post on SNJ, I talked about how difficult it can sometimes be to identify when a…

Credit: http://bit.ly/1njtcy7 Curiouser and Curiouser. No sooner does the Council for Disabled Children reveal the names of those organisations picked…

You may have heard that in the new SEN system, parents can ask for support through an Education, Health and…

Special Brothers and Sisters: Stories and Tips for Siblings of Children with a Disability or Serious Illness A Review of this…

The marquee had an extension for Founder’s Day this year. Our first end of summer term Prize Day came in…

**Tania's note** The writer alternatively known as Mrboosmum has kindly provided us with this Friday's column The Launch of the Report…

On Monday, Tania and I, along with Steph from Steph's Two Girls, headed into London for our meeting with the Minister.…

Our columnist Charlie Mead has been quiet of late. I sometimes see Facebook posts of him at various locations around…

Ed Timpson, the Children & Families Minister in charge of the SEN reforms has made a little YouTube video which…

Parents often talk to me about the unavailability and inaccessibility of respite. They are concerned that there is nothing available…

EHCP stands for Education Health and Care Plan.  Having given it some thought, this is what I want the EHCP to…

Last week, I was fortunate enough to be a speaker at the Towards a Postive Future conference in London.  One…

Each year, the charity Mencap ask us all to join together for Learning Disability Week; a time to share information, campaign…

Autism used to be thought to be mainly a male preserve - "the extreme male brain" as described by Prof.…

At Special Needs Jungle, we are parents of children with SEN ourselves, so we know that you will never have the…

Warrior Mum ♦Parent Activist ♦ Campaigner These are phrases frequently applied to SEN parents, you might even label yourself this way. I've had…

Three days ahead of the deadline for pre-summer parliamentary approval, the Department for Education yesterday laid before Parliament its final…

Many children with Asperger syndrome go undiagnosed for years, some into adulthood. Even when they are diagnosed young, it is…

Original Base Image http://bit.ly/snjwwks SEN Departments in local authorities in England are currently (or should be) working feverishly on a…

“It’s a strange world of language in which skating on thin ice can get you into hot water” – Franklin…

Next week, I'm taking part in a round-table discussion as part of a conference about the SEN reforms. Not that…

A few facts about SEN for you today that we've made into this spiffing infogram. The figures are taken from…

It's the last day of Ehlers Danlos Awareness Month and, of course, I've left it to the last day to…

As our newborn, youngest daughter, just diagnosed with Down's syndrome, remained in the neonatal intensive care unit, I recall returning…

As you may know, my son J has a visual impairment. During the first few years of his life, I…

As an online manager of international patient communities for many different rare diseases, I receive emails every day from parents…

Over the last few weeks, I have read several articles about teachers and head teachers leaving their chosen profession due…

Last Thursday, I was representing Special Needs Jungle among a group of parent carer organisations and forums at the Department…

Sharon Paley is based in the UK at the British Institute of Learning Disability (BILD). She is currently undertaking a…

It's Mental Health Awareness Week and the theme chosen for 2014 is Anxiety, something that affects children with special needs…

There has been much mention of Personal Budgets within the process of the Children and Families Act. There has also…

When your family includes a member with special needs or disabilities, there is so little time for you, the parent…

In the new Children and Families Act 2014, parents will be able to request a placement (rather than express a…

[Tania's note: We are welcoming Hayley from today as an SNJ co-writer as well as a columnist and we hope…

There have been a number of articles in the media recently discussing the changes to the National Curriculum and teaching. …

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com Much of the unhappiness with the draft Children & Families Bill, now Act, stemmed…

This was the question being asked by Radio 5 Live this morning.  Radio 5 Live broadcast today from Bromstone School…

The upcoming reform in the way SEN support is delivered in schools and colleges in England brings with it much…

Awareness day fatigue is a 21st century issue that has turned the the definition of supporting a cause into a…

Further to Tania’s post last week on our initial views on the new draft Code of Practice, we’re still analyzing…

It's somewhat more than fashionably late and let's hope, as I said the other day, that the reason is because…

I've been writing, nay, banging on, for some time about the way Higher Education students have been left out of…

Even though schools are closed for Easter, the Department for Education is still hard at work and managed to publish…

I have been lucky to meet a number of other SEN bloggers in person, one being Steph Curtis, of the…

If you read our guest post a week ago from Jane McConnell of IPSEA about her "Red Lights" in the draft…

What is it that is so interesting about children? It seems a simple question. Parents know their own children well…

Hayley asked an interesting question in her Down's Syndrome post last Friday - do we need awareness days? The answer…

The weeks are ticking by since the Children & Families Bill became an Act. But does this mean that everything…

I recently read an article written by professionals concerning Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).  The article focused on diagnosis and…

Last Sunday, I flew out from Heathrow to Northern Ireland, along with Renata Blower, our columnist and writer of one…

The draft SEN Code of Practice is late in being published and there is still no date for it to…

‘There’s an awareness day for everything nowadays’ the rather jaded GP muttered in my direction recently, in a tone that…

As part of the SEN reforms, councils have a duty to provide a 'local offer' of services available in their…

The Children and Families Act is finally here, delivered by the stork The Department for Education with high hopes and expectations.…

Down at the Department for Education, the collective breath of expectant Ministers and civil servants was being held. Then, a…

I'm told, unofficially, that the Children & Families Bill is to receive Royal Assent - ie, approved by the Queen,…

When I was about to apply for a statutory assessment in the hope of securing a statement for Son1, I…

When you are concerned about your child’s development, it can be worrying and difficult to know where to go for…

This report came out this week and we've now had the chance to write about it and we'd love to…

In the wake of Rare Disease Day, the largest ever awareness campaign (now there's a challenge!) it's hoped that the…

You might have noticed that, here at SNJ's virtual HQ, we have a missing columnist. Renata Blower is a mother…

At the end of January, we wrote about the SEN reforms – the story so far and promised a “What…

Here's our personal picks from the past week's stories. Take a look and add your own

I’ve been involved in the recognition and celebration of Rare Disease Day, which is today, for the past five years.…

Today we're thrilled to bring you a guest article from Lorraine Petersen OBE, who was until recently, the chief executive…

Here are links to this week's stories that we liked enough to share on Twitter brought to you all in…

Elizabeth writes... It can be daunting going to any appointment. I see myself as relatively level-headed and as a speech…

To highlight Rare Disease Day on 28th February, we're featuring some personal stories from parents whose children live with  rare…

Many parents contact us about their experiences with their local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, known as CAMHS. They've…

In the draft new SEN Code of Practice, there is a brief reference to One Page Profiles and Person Centred…

We had a post every day last week here on Special Needs Jungle, so check out below for ones you…

As this Valentine’s Day approached, I began thinking about how much we all love all our children equally. How we…

  It was a big day for me and Debs yesterday - two launches, some laughs and one inspiring speech…

As you know, we're supporting Rare Disease Day here at SNJ both because it's very important and also for our…

Last month, Special Needs Jungle helped promote Jane Raca's campaign to change a vital part of the Children and Families…

Stories we've tweeted or retweeted that we thought were interesting - and you might too. So if you missed them,…

Hello…can you hear me? Are you listening? I mean really listening? How often do we really listen to each other?…

The Children and Families Bill moves ever closer to Royal Assent with amendments still being put forward. It's now at…

The upcoming Education, Health and Care Plan that will replace SEN statements, is intended to integrate a child or young…

It's always a scary time when you realise your child isn't developing at the same rate as the children of…

The stories you need to read from the past week about SEN, mental health, disability & rare conditions. You can…

Jonah was born in 2008 to excited parents in New York City. But at his first year check up, his…

Have you heard of "Sluggish Cognitive Tempo" (SCT)?  It's apparently regarded by psychiatric professionals as a subtype of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder…

To break into our two parter about "The Story So Far in the SEN Reforms", the Department for Education yesterday…

Recently, I've had messages from worried friends about what's happening in the SEN reforms.  The first was, "My ex says…

A round up of what we tweeted, great links you might have missed (and you don't end to be on…

It’s easy to assume that the moral dilemma of whether to abort your unborn baby that you've learned has a…

Hannah Postgate gave up her career to care for her daughter, Rosy who has special needs. When she wanted to…

SEN Transport - the very words send a shiver down many a parent’s spine; this aspect of the Jungle can…

Our favourite stories from the past week. Don't forget to share!

Both Helen and I specialise in working with children with phonological or speech sound production difficulties.  According to the National…

[View the story "SNJ's Best of the Week" on Storify]

In his daily work our columnist, Child Psychologist Charlie Mead, counsels children who find themselves in Care or "Looked-After". He is…

News just in  from the frontline... Just as many local authorities were grappling with the thorny, if not impossible, issue…

During the Christmas break, as we struggled with the chaos that changes to routine can bring to our homes, the…

Ain't technology grand? Just before Christmas Hayley from DownsSideUp and, as you know, a Special Needs Jungle columnist, "got together"…

You may be feeling like the Department for Education has beaten you into submission this year with confusing consultation after…

Storify by Tania Tirraoro Mon, Dec 30 2013 13:58:04 Our best personal posts of 2013 We have a lot of…

Many of us find Christmas an emotional season for all sorts of reasons. Gathering with distant family, catching up with…

Tabtoob: Last month, we ran a post about Tabtoob - a great way of protecting our precious iPads from a…

Cerebra, the charity that works improve the lives of children with brain-related conditions is aiming to make supermarket trips and…

Last week, SEN reform Minister, Edward Timpson attended the Local Government Association Special Educational Needs Conference - a real mix…

We often wonder at SNJ, as we all must, how our children with chronic illness, rare conditions or additional needs…

Christmas is coming and my son is getting stressed He's looking at his budget And feeling quite depressed His wish…

  "We define ourselves as a society by the priorities we choose" Jane Raca Earlier this year, disabled rights campaigner, Jane…

Hold on to your hats today, because Charlie's here! We are honoured to introduce you to our new columnist, highly…

The Special Educational Consortium (SEC) is a group of organisations who promote the rights of disabled children and children with…

Today is the International Day for People with Disabilities. The theme this year is “Break Barriers, Open Doors: for an inclusive…

A period of great change is coming to special needs education. It's quite probable that many parents of children with…

Today it's our pleasure to welcome the two lovely ladies, Helen & Elizabeth from SpeechBlogUK as our latest columnists. As the…

As any parent knows, all children are individuals with their own personalities and I have spent hours wondering how I…

This is a post you need to read and share if you have children who are online, whether they have…

Columnist Hayley Goleniowska writes: Last month, in my first column for Special Needs Jungle we explored the preconceptions that strangers…

Today marks World Diabetes Day and we are delighted to have a guest article by Fiona Faure from The Children…

Remember our post the other week about Parent Carers being left out of the Care Bill? It seems absurd that just…

First came the bad news. Debs, who was due to be my ‘carer’ for the day, wheeling me around the…

My second column for Special Needs Jungle and I am very excited! I suggested to Tania that I write my…

It's quite a mountain to climb, getting into university. All those GCSEs, then A-levels or similar. Not to mention the…

We're a little miffed here at SNJ. You might even describe it as pretty ticked off to say the least.…

On Wednesday, the House of Lords Grand Committee finally reached the amendments relating to part three of the Children &…

When, as a parent, you hold your child’s final statement, complete with acceptable placement in your trembling hand, you may…

And so, here it is. Despite my woeful failure to produce my intended article on the SEN reforms on Monday,…

Following on from Monday's post, when I briefly talked about child2 having Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and suffering from pain, there is…

I was supposed to write a post today about an aspect of the SEN reforms, but as I haven't managed…

Posters and leaflets dispelling common myths and setting out facts about Down’s syndrome are often created wonderfully by charities to…

Back in March, the Indicative Draft of the new SEN Code of Practice was launched - all 86 pages of…

Well, we did say, just at the start of the week, that it was going to be a busy autumn.…

We recently ran a quick survey to find out what people actually knew about the SEN reforms and also, how involved they…

It’s about to be a busy time for the Children & Families Bill, currently mid-passage through the Houses of Parliament…

We hear a lot about “invisible illness” and how young people with autism are judged or stared at because of…

Have you, as a parent, ever sat down and thought "is this it?"  Have you ever sat in despair wondering…

‘There are parenting courses available’...The words slipping from the lips of a well-meaning practitioner may fill you with anger, shock,…

On Wednesday, Debs will be at the Paces Seminar -"The Biggest Changes in Special Education in 30 years". Paces: Supporting…

It's been a nail-biting few days here in the SNJ bunker. We've been working on a new-look site for quite…

As you know, Special Needs Jungle is delighted to be involved with the MumsNet #ThisIsMyChild campaign, reviewing its inaugural blog…

Tania writes: I wanted to share a blog post with you I've just read from Hayley at DownsideUp Hayley's blog, about…

We love The Sensory Story Project and have been watching it from its early stages. As a mum to a child with…

NICE, The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, has today published new guidelines for the treatment of autism in children…

The NAS has launched a petition calling on the Government to amend the Children and Families Bill to create a single point of…

Tania writes... MumsNet have today launched a new "myth-busting and awareness-raising" campaign called #ThisIsMyChild. It's been launched in response to requests…

Debs writes.... I am a trainer for my local Safeguarding Children Board and it is a subject I am passionate…

How to talk to Tigers?  Why are Special Needs Jungle posting about Talking to Tigers?  It really doesn't sound like…

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…

Tania writes... If you're a regular reader of Special Needs Jungle you will know what big advocates we are of…

You know us, we talk about the reforms to SEN currently going through parliament. A lot. It's important stuff and…

Oh dear.  We've always said communication is an issue with the SEN reforms but it's fairly obvious that it spans…

Tania writes Well, good question. The answer is we're here, there, everywhere and nowhere, depending on which county you live…

Tania writes... A quick update on the 17 boys, all with some form of special needs, including my eldest, who've…

Since the publication of the Lamb Inquiry on Parental Confidence in Special Educational Needs, I am often asked what are…

This report is from Medscape Today and is about a study in PL0S One. Links at the bottom. A subset…

Tania writes... A new online service for adolescents with mental health problems is being launched today (Friday 5th July 2013).…

Tania writes: Eighteen months ago, Asperger's Son1 signed up for the trip of a lifetime. His special(ist) school had joined…

Debs writes We recently wrote about some of the changes being proposed in the Children and Families Bill that will…

Debs writes.... Last week, I had the pleasure of listening to Jane McConnell (IPSEA's Chief Executive) speak at the Towards…

The Children and Families Bill has had a busy week, having a third reading in the House of Commons and…

Debs writes.... During National Carers Week, I think we all give more thought to what being a carer actually means.…

It's Carer's Week, organised and supported by quite a few charities in the UK Carers provide unpaid care by looking…

Tania writes: Yesterday it was my birthday and I was very pleased to receive some wave-making hair tongs to bring…

The brilliant charity, Contact a Family, is from today offering an extended helpline service. Contact a Family has long been…

Tania writes: "Catch them being good" is the oft-repeated advice to help encourage positive behaviour in children. And it's good…

Debs writes.... The Government is proposing to replace the current categories of School Action and School Action Plus with a…

Tania writes: I was recently lucky enough to attend a conference given by both the world-renowned expert in Asperger Syndrome,…

Deb writes.. Some of you may have read a report this week about the use of echolocation in blind children.…

Deb writes... Are labels a help or hindrance?  Do you love them or loathe them?  Do they change the way…

The PDA Contact Group have guest written a post for us - if you are experiencing this with your child,…

Debs writes... Over the past 12 months, we have received a deluge of questions and queries about the SEN reforms.…

There is new research and findings about causes and potential therapies for autism every week, but the following caught my…

Some great stories, news and blogs from the last week, curated from us, just for you. Netbuddy Says...: Promoting good…

As you are hopefully aware, the beginning of April saw a massive shake-up in the NHS and the creation of…

Tania writes: So many of the people I meet who are involved with special needs have an absolute passion for…

I've been pondering on the SEN section of the Children & Families Bill for a while and I am perplexed…

Tania writes: I am often contacted by desperate parents searching for help with finding the special needs solutions for their children.…

It's Depression Awareness Week, although with the state of the economy and the weather, it wouldn't surprise me if most…

Debs writes... The Children and Families Bill, currently working its way through parliament is very big on practitioners in education,…

Tania writes: Recently, when Debs & I went to Westminster, we met Renata Blower, a Mum who blogs about her…

Debs writes.... My eldest son, K lives in a very literal world and we spend half of our day trying…

Debs writes.... Tania and I are both co-chairs of Parent Carer Forums and we do mention them quite a lot.…

I tweeted this earlier, but think if I make a post about it, more people will see it and be…

It's Autism Awareness/Acceptance Day, Month, whatever... lots will be written today about what autism is and what it isn't. No…

Tania writes: Here's a video made by the DfE about when Ed Timpson, the SEN Minister, came to Surrey. It…

So the big day arrived and of course, it was raining. Tania and I headed into London, to the Department…

Debs writes.... As the Indicative Code of Practice was published, I was in Guildford delivering Early Support's Key Working in…

Late yesterday, the DfE published the "Indicative draft Code of Practice" as a "work in progress" to go with the…

Tania writes: Last week I spoke at a top-level conference for council Chief Executives and Leaders from the SE7 -…

The surprising and extremely welcome news today from the Department for Education (DfE) is that there will, after all, be…

It's been a bumper day of announcements and happenings surrounding SEN reform. First of all, came the publication of a…

The Department for Education has published an easy to read version of the children & families bill designed especially for…

Today, 28th February is Rare Disease Day. It's an awareness raising day for the millions of people around the world…

Earlier this month, we shared our Initial Views on the Children and Families Bill.  Since then, we have had chance…

We have exciting news! Special Needs Jungle now has a brand new group on LinkedIn. While there are a couple…

The NCB (National Children's Bureau) website has some brilliant free resources for parents, carers and practitioners available for download. One…

Last Friday a groups of parents from parent-carer forums around the country came together at the Department for Education to…

Here is the second part of top tips for speech and language therapy from Helen & Elizabeth at SpeechBlogUK. If…

As is often the case, I come across great resources and services for children with special needs on Twitter. I…

Debs writes.... As we go through the Special Needs Jungle, we pick up tips, we gain confidence and we often…

Finally, the wait is over and the Children and Families Bill, which includes the SEN reforms, has been published. Debs…

The Children and Families bill, issued in draft form last year, has just been published. Within this bill are the…

Rare Disease Day is at the end of February, with the theme 'Disorders without Borders'. In Europe it's coordinated by…

Wowzer! Special Needs Jungle has been named in the The Times (yes the UK national newspaper) as one of its "Top…

One of my fellow special needs mums, whom I met over Twitter, Emma Murphy, is spearheading a campaign highlighting the…

My colleagues over at NetBuddy have an article in The Guardian about Storytelling week and how to engage your children,…

My good friend Angela, who is my 'co' in co-chair at Family Voice Surrey, always has an air of unflappability.…

A kid, not a condition You may have suspected, even all but known, but the moment when you finally get…

When the SEND Green Paper was launched in March 2011, the Department for Education said they would “test the role…

As you may have read on Friday, Special Needs Jungle has a new regular contributor in Debs Aspland, the director…

Mental health in adolescents with or without special needs is a growing concern and a particular interest of mine. I…

I have some exciting news for Special Needs Jungle for 2013! In 2012, the site really took off and now…

Yesterday, I took the boys shopping to Basingstoke. As I'm not currently able to walk far, I sat in Starbucks…

Happy New Year and I hope you all had a great Christmas without too much stress! Ours was relatively quiet,…

You may be feeling like the Department for Education has beaten you into submission this year with confusing consultation after…

Have a great Christmas from Tania, Son1 & Youngest .. and Leo the Labradoodle! See you in 2013.

The Education Select Committee report on its pre-legislative scrutiny of the SEN draft bill has just been published. The scrutiny…

In the last year I've been lucky enough to have had many parents write about their families and the issues…

BBC News today is running a story about Vitamin D deficiency in children. A lack of Vitamin D is linked…

There's been a lot of talk about the re-classification of Asperger's Syndrome in the new US DSM-V Manual of Mental…

Today is the International Day for Persons With Disabilities, which will be marked worldwide. It's also Son1's 15th birthday and…

Last Friday, our parent-carer forum in Surrey, Family Voice joined with Surrey LA and local voluntary and community services to…

  I'm sharing this information received from the Council for Disabled Children which I hope you'll find interesting. ******** Edward…

One question on many lips in the reform to the special educational needs system is, with the inclusion of health…

I happened upon a new blog via Twitter the other day, which told a powerful and emotional story about a…

The charity, Scope, which works to help children and families affected by disabilities, is currently campaigning for improvements to the…

I was checking the most frequently used search terms that brought people to my site the other day and one…

[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…

As part of Family Voice Surrey, I have visited The Children's Trust in Tadworth a number of times as they…

[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…

The Education Select Committee yesterday heard from various witnesses about the draft legislation on Special Education Needs. Over two and…

For some children, a mainstream school setting can be overwhelming, particularly if they have learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia…

It's been a difficult week for many parents at our school, who have discovered that our LA doesn't want to…

Stop the DLA Takeaway campaign - Contact a Family and The Children’s Trust need your help The Children’s Trust, Tadworth…

Many parents find themselves in the position, as they try to secure a statement for their child with special needs,…

The Dyspraxia Foundation is calling on families to be alert to the early signs of the condition in their awareness…

The Special Needs Jungle weekly news review is back! It was supposed to be away for just a week while…

Today is the deadline for the Education Select Committee's call  for responses to the draft SEN bill. I've seen a…

Today I'm feeling a little sad. Youngest is off school again with joint pains in his legs. We've just been…

So, here I am, back from Sweden after what was an amazing meeting for people with limb disabilities from 12…

It's a difficult subject to think about, let alone tackle, but for many parents of children with severe and complex…

It's been a busy week for lots of special needs mum bloggers - as you'll see there are some fabulous,…

So, here is Special Needs Jungle's top tip of the day that I think many of you will find very…

The last week has been really hectic with my boys going back to school and a huge workload, but I've just…

Apologies to my email subscribers about the unfinished nature of their last post - it was, in fact, beautifully finished,…

News today of a great initiative to help young people who are socially disadvantaged to gain valuable work experience and…

The draft SEN bill is now out and will undergo pre-legislative scrutiny by the Education Select Committee. The committee last…

Back to school for most children this week, except for my kids, whose school finally returns next Tuesday. I'd better…

So fare thee well, Miss Teather, just as the draft bill is published, you get the boot from your job.…

Well today is the day - the draft legislation has, rather unexpectedly, been published for the reform of provision for children and young…

The spotlight is firmly on disability in the media at the moment, with the Paralympics underway, not to mention the…

Many of our children have to be referred to CAMHS - The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service - to…

After a two week break, the Special Needs Jungle weekly curation of the best of special needs posts is BACK!…

Hope your summer is going okay! We're just back from Italy where we were devoured by relentless mosquitos day and…

This is a reblog of a great post from Debs at ChaosinKent. Debs has three kids with special needs. Do…

As you know, I'm co-chair of Surrey's parent-carer forum, Family Voice Surrey. I joined at the beginning of the year…

This post originally appeared on the DownSideUp blog of  Hayley Goleniowski, who writes about life with her beautiful daughter, natty, who…

My top story this week is just out - a 90,000 drop in the number of children identified as having…

Tania says: We're heading off for Italy this weekend and because both kids are autistic, we've always rented a villa…

The summer holidays may be underway but the silly season for news certainly doesn't seem to have arrived as far…

A campaign is being launched today (Thursday 26th July 2012) aimed at protecting society's most vulnerable children from "damaging changes" proposed…

Statistics published by the Department for Education today show that pupils with statements are nine times more likes to be…

A condition that is often misunderstood and that is sometimes seen alongside ASD or ADHD is Tourette's Syndrome. Often inaccurately…

Ah, so school's out for pretty much everyone from today..just in time for the summer sunshine to finally show itself.…

Yesterday, MumsNet hosted a live web chat with Sarah Teather, Minister of State for Children and Families. I recently posted…

Yesterday I spoke on behalf of Family Voice Surrey at the Surrey County Council SEN pathfinder launch in Cobham. In…

I met a lady on Twitter a while back, Michelle Doyle, who was talking about 'Visual Stress'. I wasn't really…

Today is the last day of school for my boys, apart from Founder's Day, tomorrow and we're all praying for…

Just a heads up about this in case you missed it on the news. [caption id="attachment_1497" align="alignleft" width="147"] Two meals…

Youngest is off, after school, on a camping trip with his Year 8 cohort. They will set off to walk…

A while ago, I came across a great charity, working across the country to improve the emotional well-being of children, their…

A few weeks ago, I was invited to attend a conference about the formation of special free schools. I couldn't…

So, er, I'll just mention it one more time - Special Needs Jungle WON the CHANGE award in the BritMums…

Dear Miss Sarah Teather I know you mean well. I know you really want to do something to help improve…

Tania's Note: Today I'm bringing you a post about what I think is the most important issue in our society…

So normally, I have posts about great resources but this post is about me, me, me! Last night, in London…

So, later today I am heading out for the BritMums bloggers conference and awards. As you know, Special Needs Jungle…

I've just watched the Education Select Committee on SEN - the Next Steps and many of the concerns raised mirror…

Last night we had the privilege of going to see Dr Temple Grandin, the autistic woman famous for inventing humane…

There was a news report this morning about an investigation by MPs finding "serious weaknesses" in England's care system that showed…

Today (Friday) is a day full of SEN green paper meetings for the Surrey pathfinder for me and tomorrow it's…

Pathological Demand Syndrome is increasingly being recognised as being on the autistic spectrum. People with PDA will avoid demands made…

It feels a bit surreal, being Friday already. Long weekends do that, don't they? And yet a whole week must…

A couple of weeks ago I featured an article about Floortime therapy for autism. See the post here. We ran…

I just read this blog post and thought, even though we're mums, not 'moms' that the sentiment is just the…

Hope you're all enjoying the Jubilee holiday. This blog often talks about the challenges faced by our SEN & disabled children and…

[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…

I've just read this really insightful blog by Violet's Diary and wanted to share it with you.

While I was doing some research for DysNet, I came across a fantastic project that uses the beautiful Cornish coast…

An incredibly busy week, so I missed my Wednesday post as I was in Brussels to speak at a EURORDIS…

It's been something of an eventful week for both Special Needs and Special Needs Jungle. Last week, I was called…

So, there's been much furore today about the headlines for proposals that  450,000 children be 'struck off' the SEN register.…

There's a story about SEN in the Daily Telegraph today "Can 20 per cent of schoolchildren really have special needs?"…

For the first time this week, I'm alone in the house, apart from Leo the Labradoodle, currently sulking because he…

So, next week government ministers will set out their detailed response and reform timetable as their next steps in the SEN…

Many parents who have children with special needs seriously consider home educating their child. It throws us lots of issues - especially…

Just a quick one - to say THANK YOU to everyone who voted for Special Needs Jungle in the UK…

A mum called Tanya contacted me the  other day and asked to share her story about her journey to support…

Another week of rain and economic gloom. Note to self, stop listening to the Radio 4 Today programme, it's starting…

One thing that's become very familiar in the last few years, both personally and from reading your comments and emails,…

I've come across lots of interesting stories this week so here's my list of the cream of the crop of…

Aah, the boys finally returned to school mid-week. They've been off so long I'd almost forgotten the way there. I'm…

Many children with special needs have sensory issues, including my two. Their school used Body Sox which Youngest absolutely loves.…

Adele Devine is a teacher at Freemantles School for young people with autism in Surrey. She, along with her husband,…

This week we've had sunshine, showers, hail as big as marbles and thunder and lightning... it must be April. I've…

Recently I appeared in Woman magazine - a small section in a feature entitled, "Meet the regret-me-nots" My piece was…

I recently met the chief executive of The Meningitis Trust, Sue Davie, and heard her talk about the hidden after-effects…

Happy Easter! Why not spend a few minutes this long weekend to catch up on some of the past week's…

Provision for young people with special needs after they leave school is a big issue for many parents. Although technically…

This is from the United Nations about World Autism Day: The annual observance of World Autism Awareness Day should spur…

A diverse list of stories and posts this week, but all interesting reads. As ever, leave your own story link…

When your Asperger's son is deep in adolescence, it's sometimes hard to tell whether their behaviour and conversation is more…

Thrilling news - The Special Needs Jungle blog as been shortlisted in the BritMums Brilliance in Blogging Awards "Change" Category…

Friday's come around again - this one marks the day my boys break up for Easter and don't go back…

Earlier this week, I attended a meeting at Westminster for Labour's SEN policy review, chaired by MP, Sharon Hodgson, Labour's Shadow…

Some schools in England are illegally excluding pupils, sometimes permanently, without going through the full formal process, a report says.…

Another Friday is here - just one week to go before my boys break up for an almost-month-long Easter break.…

So many autism, Asperger's, dyslexia, ADHD and other special needs stories this week. This is my pick of the best…

[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…

Wandering the special needs web this week, I found the following blogs and news stories you might be interested in.…

I have exciting news - I am to be a keynote speaker at the forthcoming SEN Conference, Towards a Positive…

This is taken from the website of Sharon Hodgson MP, but I thought it might be useful to post it…

Another busy week in the news and blogs - here's some of my favourites as well as a round up…

National Autistic Society president, Jane Asher, will be speaking at a conference in Newbury, Berkshire, in June for parents of…

Until 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…

Some great stories and blog posts about special needs that I spotted this week. If you have one of your…

It's a bumper round-up of special needs stories and blogs this week - check out what you might have missed:…

A student with Asperger's syndrome has written a book to help parents who have children with the disorder. Joshua Muggleton,…

Interesting special needs stories from the last week. If you have one I missed, leave it in the comments! Podcast:…

A Kosovan special needs parent group has been in touch with the UK website Netbuddy, looking for help. They are…

Last year I published a poll on this site asking whether people thought children diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome (quick, use…

Some interesting stories this week... Special Needs Jungle: Read the views of a woman at the coalface of SEN: Empowering…

I'm delighted today to introduce a guest blog post from Pat Bolton, who works with a small  team of Participation Practitioners…

Recap of SNJ posts and other news about SEN this week: TodayOnline: New definition of autism will exclude many, study suggests …

The NAS has today thrown its weight behind a call for the government to reconsider its plans for welfare reform…

It's been a busy week of posts on Special Needs Jungle. I've listed a round up below along with some…

Contact  a Family, the national charity that helps support parents with disabled children has launched a new SEN National Advice…

Michael Gove, the Education Secretary has today announced an overhaul of the way IT is taught in schools. This is great news…

TheSchoolRun website is packed to the gills with great ideas to help your child's learning. It's bright, colourful and is…

A NEW REPORT entitled Responsible Reform, published today by disabled people (9 January 2012), finds that government misled MPs and peers over…

Ann Beck, of  The Gift of Learning has asked me to help get her message out about a survey  she's…

I've just been sent a pdf of my article that was in the last issue of SEN Magazine. The magazine…

It's January 6th and my boys are still off school; they finally go back on Monday. It's been an interesting…

Happy New Year! At this time of the year, we're often thinking about how we can change our lives, and…