Selective Mutism & Demand Avoidance
Background As background, H had been described as being “Unable to talk when they are anxious” by an Educational psychologist when they were 11. I went further when they were falling out of the mainstream school system and described it as “Effectively Non-Verbal when stressed”. Another parent first used the term Selective mutism to describe […]
School Attendance Difficulties in a Post-COVID World
As we enter into a new year we are encouraged to reflect upon the past, both the good and the bad. If we should take anything from the last 3 years, it’s that we must be resilient when facing new challenges. For us as SEND Parents, this is second nature. It shouldn’t be this way. […]
The other day at breakfast I watched with horror the tragic story of the illegal incarceration of Tony Hickmott, both my wife and myself as parents of a young adult with a learning disability and autism were devastated for Tony and his parents. It was clear the family has so much love for Tony, yet […]
Choosing a Provision for your Child with SEND
As an ex-Head of School of at a specialist SEND provision, I’ve been lucky enough to be a small part of the educational journey for hundreds of families seeking the right setting for their child or children. The weight of choosing a school for a child with special educational needs and disabilities cannot be underestimated. […]
Preparing your Child for the Return to School
The return to school often triggers big emotions… Not just in children but adults too; both caregivers and the teachers. How can we better prepare so it’s a more positive experience for our children? Step one: UNDERSTAND YOURSELF In order to help our children, we first need to look at ourselves; for an anxious adult […]
SEND Support at University – What’s available?
Every student deserves the right to accessible and fair higher education, but not all students receive it. However, most students with a specific learning difficulty, mental health condition, or disability will qualify for funding which can support their studies. Gaining the right support can be a life changing experience for any person wanting to delve […]
Emotions in Motion – our brand new wellbeing initiative!
Designed for the whole family, we will be exploring wellbeing, our emotions, and our health through guided gentle movement and relaxation techniques. This is a brand new in-person class, located in our very own Community Hub and we can’t wait to welcome you and have some fun! What can you expect? You’ll be greeted […]
Our New Community Hub!
We’re shining our rays into Derby, by creating a safe space for parents, carers and professionals to socialise, learn and be empowered! An organisation that provides support to parents and teachers of children with special educational needs has opened a multi-purpose community space for families in the city. Sunshine Support has moved into a 1200 […]
My Family Survived 3 Allegations of FII
It was recently brought to my attention that the first FII Awareness Week was launchingand I remember instantly feeling relieved that public awareness is being brought to this very serious, common and hidden issue. Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) is the term used for when a parent or caregiver of someone, most commonly a child, […]
FII CASES – My Personal Experience in the Family Courts
Despite the expectation that Family Court should be ‘inquisitorial’ – with an expert agreed by all parties and acting for the Court, the system is often experienced as adversarial, and for me that has meant presenting as an expert witness has been in some cases a truly unpleasant experience. When I am instructed in Family […]
