Will increased free childcare, in the budget, discriminate against autistic, SEN kids like mine?

The government has announced an extension to free childcare but a quick calculation shows me that if my son, David, was in childcare now... he would only get ... three... just three hours childcare a week, a tenth of that of his fellow peers. And all because he has autism.   If free childcare is going to be offered it needs to be offered without discrimination. 

How anyone can support a parent of SEND kids

Being the parent of children with additional needs can be a rollercoaster ride; ask any parent in this situation. It can be the most unique and rewarding experience of your life while simultaneously being the most exhausting and challenging thing you have ever done.

How to look at secondary schools for a child with SEND

When your child has special educational needs (SEN) it feels like there is an even greater weight to getting the right school for them. Many children with SEND can attend regular mainstream primary and secondary schools and have their needs met well there. Both our boys have an ASD diagnosis but only one went to a mainstream primary school.  When it came to his secondary transfer what would I share about looking at secondary schools for him?

Finding a school for a SEND child

David is approaching his secondary transition.  For those whose kids are starting on their educational journey, secondary transition is the move from primary to secondary school. It's not going to be easy.  David is a child with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and needs a whole host of support in order to access education.  

Supporting my kids learning now they are back at school

It's so good to have the kids back at school.  I know that being able to send my autistic kids to school for at least some of the time during lockdown was important for them (and us), but it's so good for them all to be back.  My daughter has always been a quick learner and enjoys this part of being back at school.  Like many she's missed friends, but has then also struggled with getting on with peers again.  Even though they are all back to learning at school, we can still support them at home with this - especially if they've fallen behind when they could be.  

Looking for a new school for a child with SEND during the pandemic

David is coming up to his secondary transfer.  In our area, we have to think about secondary school decisions for our children with special educational needs or disabilities up to two years before they'd start there.  Finding the right school is often very challenging but it's even more so like this.

Getting my autistic kids to be comfortable with face masks

A few months ago I wrote a post about how I talk to my young children about the coronavirus COVID-19 and how do I keep them safe?  It has sparked a few responses particularly as, like myself, many of our readers have children with autism, comorbid conditions or other disabilities and might not be able to wear one. 

SEND & SpectrumSunday Lockdown Linky 4

With even more of the lockdown easing, I wonder when things will seem a bit more 'normal' at least a bit more like what we were used to anyway.  In many ways lockdown has suited our autistic and ADHD family but I do wonder if I'll be calling these linkies 'lockdown' versions for much longer? It's hard to know what's going to happen and that can be challenging for many SEND families. 

SEND and SpectrumSunday Lockdown Linky 3

With some of the lockdown easing, things are changing once again.  How are you doing? I've been meaning to write a post about how difficult this time is for parents of SEND kids but I've just not managed it. If it's not simple at the moment, I can't fit it in.  It means my linkies have been a bit ad-hoc or some have been skipped - sorry if I've missed you!

SEND and SpectrumSunday Lockdown linky 2

It's so many weeks into the lockdown?  How are you doing? I've been meaning to write a post about how difficult this time is for parents of SEND kids but I've just not managed it. If it's not simple at the moment, I can't fit it in.  

SEND and SpectrumSunday Lockdown 1 Linky

It's two weeks into the lockdown?  How are you doing? I've been meaning to write a post about how difficult this time is for parents of SEND kids but I've just not managed it. If it's not simple at the moment, I can't fit it in.  

Ways to stay connected with your partner when raising SEN kids

As parents of kids with additional needs, life can put a lot of pressure on relationships. We all have to deal with stresses and strains in our daily lives, however, when these get built up over a considerable amount of time, they can end up causing lasting damage to our relationships and to those that we love.

SEND and SpectrumSunday #92

Half term is over - whatever you have been up to I'd love to hear about it here on our linky post on anything about autism, mental health, education, special educational needs and disabilities and associated topics.  

SEND and SpectrumSunday #91

We've gone back to school and are busy coping with the ever changing weather. Whatever you have been up to in the world of SEND and / or autism I'd love to hear about it here on our linky for anything about autism, mental health, education, special educational needs and disabilities and associated topics.  

SEND and SpectrumSunday #90

Happy New Year!  Over the last week our house has slowly changed as we help our lot cope with the change around their home back to normality. Whatever you have been up to in the world of SEND and / or autism I'd love to hear about it here on our linky for anything about autism, mental health, education, special educational needs and disabilities and associated topics.  

SEND and SpectrumSunday 89

It's advent - you can tell in our house because there's been excessive excitement about taking a small chocolate out of a calendar!  The house will slowly change over the next month as we help our lot cope with the change around their home but still enjoy the festive season. 

SEND and SpectrumSunday 88

Half term is finally over.  Whatever you have been up to in the world of SEND and / or autism I'd love to hear about it here on our linky for anything about autism, mental health, education, special educational needs and disabilities and associated topics.  

It's going to take more than a 'golden ticket' to fund our kids education

An article recently published in The Times has received much backlash for suggesting that parents of children with high-needs SEND are taking resources away from the rest of the school population.  The article quoted a Head Teacher who suggested that EHCP's (the legal document stating the needs of and provisions required for a child with SEND) were seen as a 'golden ticket'.

SEND & SpectrumSunday 87

The weather has turned and so have things is our home. Different schools, new work and sleeping arrangements.  Whatever you have been up to in the world of SEND and / or autism I'd love to hear about it here on our linky for anything about autism, mental health, education, special educational needs and disabilities and associated topics.  

SEND & SpectrumSunday 86

Summer is over.  Our eldest is starting a new school.  It's the first time he's OK with going to school after the summer holidays because of it. I hope it works for him - I really really do. 

Thanks for all those who joined me over the summer with up to three posts! Anything about autism, mental health, education and anything related to autism and special educational needs and disabilities parenting is as always welcome.