Blog posts
We invite parents to tell their own stories and are happy to consider real-life contributions with a positive, encouraging vibe!
Please contact us if you would like to submit a blog post for publication on this
Gideon’s new school
As I sit downstairs enjoying a well-earned glass of wine, I can hear squeals of delight and the occasional bump coming from upstairs. Three of my four children are up there: all should be, if not in bed, then reading quietly, ready for sleep. But instead, they are...
Back to school!
We’ve come up with a few back-to-school tips for families like ours. Some may be helpful, some may not apply to your family, but let’s take 5, before we head back to school, and breath! We make a list of everything the children will need when they go back to school....
Autism Awareness…
Ruth has shared with us an article written for Autism Awareness week 2023. We are grateful to her for allowing us to publish here. Not our usual blog-style post, but so valuable. Autism Acceptance Week I endeavour to challenge non-inclusive behaviours and misguided or...
Travelling home…
Ruth shares the story of a young person travelling home on public transport and the misunderstandings and judgements that are made. We hear it from the point of view of the young person, and then of the adults at home waiting... If you are ever worried about your...
Living with vampire children!
Michelle's children have recently been diagnosed with another condition and here she tells us what it has been like trying to work out what is going on, the relief of a diagnosis and a positive outlook on the way forward. When you have children, you go the park,...
Take 5 and chat – meeting face to face, and then there was a pandemic
In this blog post our Founder and National Coordinator, Beth, tells us a bit about the story so far... When I founded Take 5 and chat – parenting additional needs, in 2015, I had a clear idea of what I hoped it would be – and also of what it would not be. Having...
Different View
Tears and meltdowns there have been a few! Today is different as I look at you! There is excitement and nerves and happiness too, I forgot how much school stole this from you! Today is different, something new, am sending you off to a different view, a school where...
Michelle, the journey so far
Michelle was one of the first parents to drop in on our very first Café Drop-in session! Here she tells us about her family's journey through diagnosis to understanding and then to starting her own Facebook Blog! Thanks for sharing your story Michelle! The day I first...
Suggestions for surviving the season
As parents we hope to create a lovely, happy Christmas for each family member. However, when we have a child, or children, with additional needs it can be even more difficult to meet the needs of everyone. Care for the Family’s Katharine Hill once said, “Begin by...
Bruises on the heart
We are honoured to share this poem about domestic abuse, written by a woman known to us. The poem is not particularly about additional needs but families who are embracing and managing additional needs are not exempt from other issues, including domestic abuse. Thank...