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CONTACT
Please use the contact form below to contact Families and SEN. Set out briefly the issues you want to discuss with your contact details and I will get back to you:
Please use the contact form below to contact Families and SEN. Set out briefly the issues you want to discuss with your contact details and I will get back to you:
Education: The Great Equaliser!
Hello and welcome,
The following points have been expanded in the books available via my web site. They contain much more about accessing learning and the development of valuable skills.
Rgds Clive.
If You Don’t Do It Who Will?
Introduction
Following are a number of well documented thoughts associated with having a disabled child.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of a disability, for example a visual impairment, is usually a shock for parents…
Each member of the family often feels different emotions or even the same emotion to a different degree …
Passing on the News
At the point of diagnosis, the way it is handled by the person passing on the information is extremely important …
The emotions felt will depend on the emotional intensity and its pattern …
Different Emotions
Some degree of guilt is often felt …
Helplessness may follow
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Etc
Grief, Isolation and Loss of Status
Almost inevitably there is a feeling of grief …
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Etc
Fear, Frustration, Anger and Apathy
Fear, frustration, anger and apathy are closely related and may follow in quick succession …
Uttering the phrase ‘why us’ is common to many parents in this situation …
Information
Information about the situation makes addressing things easier. Unfortunately, the support available varies depending on where you live in the UK …
Development
Missing developmental milestones is very hard to make up. Extra effort may be needed along with extra support in the home and school …
Professional Help
The often large number of professionals involved at this time can be confusing and potentially stressful, especially if they are not working collaboratively …
Other Children in the Family
A great deal of effort and time will be directed to the disabled child. Consequently, a sibling can feel left out or even ignored.
A few points to consider,
Siblings may have questions which are very hard to ask; for example, will it happen to me and will it affect my children?
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Etc
Telling Your Child about His or Her Disability
One option is to say nothing …
An Alternative View
Some people believe that it is easier telling the child at the beginning as it becomes harder later …
Avoiding an Explanation
The child, for example with a visual impairment, might find out from others about the condition and its prognosis. Finding out in this way might result in it being poorly explained and/or containing inaccurate information
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Etc
An Unhelpful Role
A disabled child often arouses sympathy and as a result, s/he can be the object of too much help
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Etc
Inappropriate Attitudes by Others
The child may be thought of as clumsy or even stupid
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Etc
Beneficial Understanding
A disability can lead to frustration. It is therefore useful to the child if s/he can be encouraged to understand why s/he feels this way
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Etc
A Need for Support
Young people are often very resilient and get on with it. It is easier to accept things when you are young. However, both family members and the young person deal with disability in their own way. There is no single solution to the associated emotional problems …
Bereavement
Some parents feel that having a child with a disability is accompanied with feelings of bereavement. That is, loss of the ‘normal’ child and this feeling can impact on both family and friends …
Positives
Much of what has just been said can paint a negative picture. It may help to draw inspiration from those with a disability who now hold high profile positions in society ... .
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