Help and Advice
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7 ways apps can help children with autism
There are thousands of apps claiming to help children and young people with autism, but which are any good? We have narrowed down the field and give you our favourites.
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Apps for Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Specific Learning Difficulties
Apps can be a handy way to encourage struggling readers and to help children with writing difficulties. But which to choose? We highlight some of the best on the market for dyslexia and dyspraxia.
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Apps for mental health
Apps can be a useful tool for children to deal with bullying or anxiety, or to disclose their concerns when they are unable to do so face-to-face. We look at what's available.
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Autism in girls
Girls typically present with more subtle traits of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), less associated with the traditional asocial model, but still presenting challenges to their development and interaction.
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Autism Treatments
From ABA to Zones of Regulation, therapy programmes for autistic children can be confusing. It is important to understand the approach and to check that the programme you are being sold is based on scientifically proven evidence.
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Clothing for special needs
Getting dressed can be a battleground when your child has special needs. But the good news is that retailers are waking up to this, with growing numbers of innovative options.
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Clubs and activities for children with SEN
Finding something they love to do after school or in the holidays, can help children with special needs to see that we’re all good at different things and that we all have weaknesses.
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Fear of needles
Injections are a necessary part of life for children but needlephobia is far more common in children with learning disabilities, especially Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
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Flying with children with special needs
Travel with a special needs child can be fraught and stressful. And airports can be guaranteed to set your holiday off on the wrong foot. We've asked the UK's airports to tell us how they can help families with SEN and disabled children.
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Getting an educational psychologist assessment
An assessment by an educational psychologist will help a school understand how best they can help a child with special educational needs. The EP may also recommend a referral to other professionals such as a speech and language therapist, occupational therapist, optometrist or a paediatrician, as well as sources of help such as the child and family consultation services.
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Holidays with an SEN child
Our tips on everything from pre-holiday planning to days on the beach, which make the experience less stressful.
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How to identify Special Educational Needs in your child
Some special needs are easy to spot, others are only determined once a child has experienced personal difficulties or academic problems.
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Learning Centres
Learning Centres can be an ideal halfway house for children struggling with maths or literacy. They can offer intensive help for part of the day, whilst enabling children to spend the rest of the time in their mainstream school.
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Makaton
Makaton is a unique sign language using symbols, signs and speech. It helps develop essential communication skills including attention and listening, comprehension, memory, recall and organisation of language and expression.
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Mental health problems in adolescents
If you are worried about your teenager's mental health you won't be in the minority. One in ten adolescents suffers from a recognised mental health issue, and one in three reports feeling sad or down more than once a week. What can you and the school do to help?
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Puberty: How to prepare girls with special needs
How do you teach a girl with special needs about puberty, and how to manage periods when she is at school?
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Revision tips for children with ADHD
The key to helping teenagers with ADHD to revise for their GCSE exams is to understand how their very special brains work. Once you know this, you can help them with strategies.
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SEN professionals
A number of key personnel can advise, assess and treat your child, as well as give them the best possible chances to realise their potential
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Siblings of special needs children
Professionals agree that siblings of disabled children can suffer emotional, psychological and social impacts but anecdotal evidence suggests it’s not all negative.
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Social Stories
Everyday events such as haircuts and trips to the dentist can be terrifying for a child with special needs. How can you use social stories to prepare children and prevent meltdowns and anxiety?
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Toilet training children with autism
Trying to toilet train a child with autism or other SEN can be immensely stressful, and it can take much longer than usual. We look at the impact of sensory and social communication difficulties, and offer some practical tips.
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University for students with special needs
University admission departments are keen to encourage applications from pupils with special needs and disabilities, and have well-established systems for putting support in place. We look at how to find the university which will work best for you, and what financial and other support you can expect.