An interview with… Jo Cooksey
In this week’s interview, we introduce Jo Cooksey who is a finalist in the Truth About SEND category. Jo writes about the reality of SEND in her blog, First Time
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Real life blogs / Page 2
Read blog posts from parents and young disabled people as they share stories in their own words. If you feel like you're the only parent going through it, these blogs may make you think differently.
Living with PDA in lockdown
As a single parent, coping with the restrictions of lockdown feels tough enough. The difficulties we face getting shopping or essential chores done when flying solo can feel like a
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An interview with… Martha Smith
Marth Smith is a finalist in the Truth About Send category. A parent and advocate, Martha writes about the highs and lows of raising two children with additional needs and
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Support for parents with children in secure settings
In the last few weeks, people up and down the country have been attempting to adjust to a new normal, with no physical contact with extended family. There are also
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An interview with… Cochlear Implanted Children’s Support Group (CICS GROUP)
Cochlear Implanted Children’s Support Group (CICS GROUP) is a finalist in the Community Support category. Here, group co-ordinator Tricia Kemp tells us how the support they provide has changed during
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Coronavirus and equipment essentials
Recent coronavirus coverage in the news has included the national shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), whilst Public Health England has recently updated its guidance on the use of PPE
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An interview with… Yvonne Newbold
Yvonne Newbold is a blogger and best-selling author, she’s also a finalist in three of this year’s BAPS Awards categories. In this Q&A, we find out more about how she
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Can we hope for a pandemic of empathy?
The coronavirus outbreak has seen non-disabled people begin to experience just some of the barriers that people with long-term conditions face on a daily basis.
SEND Dads speak up – why is talking about mental health so hard?
In our final instalment of articles from SEND Dads during Men’s Health Week and Carers Week, we hear from Paul Arvidson who is a Parent Rep for Swan UK. He
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SEND Dads speak up – family life with an undiagnosed genetic condition
If you read our article yesterday from Dan White, you will know that all this week My Family, Our Needs is encouraging SEND Dads to speak up. It’s Men’s Health
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SEND Dads speak up for Men’s Health Week
This week it’s Men’s Mental Health Week and Carers Week and according to Carers UK, 42% of the UK’s carers are men. Like women, these caring responsibilities can have a
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Epilepsy and me
Today is International Epilepsy Day, which is the chance to raise greater awareness of an often misunderstood condition. To tell us about how epilepsy has not only affected her life
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World Down Syndrome Day 2019
Yesterday evening, after the chaos of teatime and as I was manically tidying up the mess, the kids were playing around me. I’d only popped out to dispose of a
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Autism and stimming
Chances are that if your child is autistic and you’ve read up on it, you would have come across something called stimming. But what actually is it? Is it something
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Rare Disease Day 2019
Today is Rare Disease Day and events are taking place up and down the country to raise awareness of the impact of rare diseases. Here, Aimee Mann tells us what
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Marriage and building autistic relationships
For Valentine’s Day last week, Vicky wrote for My Family, Our Needs about life as an autistic teenager starting to date boys. Despite peer pressure and struggling to adjust to
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Autism and celibacy
As monthly columnist for My Family, Our Needs, most of my articles are family based. However, in the spirit of Valentine’s Day (and apart from references to being a tired
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Are your autistic children thinking about dating?
Whether you are in a relationship, single or just starting to think about dating, Valentine’s day can be full of mixed emotions. If you have teenagers who are autistic and
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Supporting your child with their mental health
This week has been Children’s Mental Health Week 2019, with the theme of being Healthy Inside and Out. The awareness week has shined a light on some great resources for
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Looking for a job – what happened next?
We hear from Emma about her experiences as a disabled person now in employment. Has it been plain sailing? Or has it brought a whole new set of problems to light?