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....

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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 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...

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...

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...

Huge thanks to Helen for this blog post. Helen is mum to two children with additional needs and is also a primary school teacher. Here she shows us how we can plan fun weeks and create a visual timetable for a holiday week at home. "I was trying to support an Autism...