Last summer, Wendy O’Carroll was kind enough to share with us this post about her son, Oliver, who is an incredibly talented professional photographer. August 10th 2020 and I awake to the day that my son Oliver’s book, ‘Oliver’s Britain’, is published. We are surrounded by boxes and teetering piles of beautiful books, along with Read more about Oliver Hellowell – Photographer with Down Syndrome[…]

This week’s blog is written by Tina Carr, mum to Darla. Thank you so much for sharing this with us Tina. “They’ll get there in their own time.“  A phrase you hear a lot when you have a child with additional needs. Once you get past the unnecessary sympathetic head tilts, the ‘I’m so sorry’s’ Read more about Milestones and memories…[…]

On the blog this week, Zoe Taylor tells us about making the decision to transfer her daughter Maddison from mainstream to SEN provision, thank you Zoe, for sharing your experience with us. Maddison attended a mainstream school from nursery with a full EHCP until the end of year 1. The school was very supportive from Read more about Making a change: Our transition from Mainstream to SEN provision[…]

Liz Arriens As November began, life was going swimmingly for me, my husband Kevin and our three-year-old daughter Coraline. We’d got our second “lockdown” routine going on smoothly. The difference was, this time Coraline was at preschool each day. I was happy she was stimulated, I was working on my goals (writing a book, and Read more about How we have grown during lockdown[…]

On Christmas Eve, Teach Me Too will launch a new online library of educational videos  specifically designed to help children with Down syndrome develop skills in speech, language and cognition, free to access for all.  A Christmas present to our community and a silver lining of 2020. The library comprises of 20 short videos made Read more about Teach Me Too launch: A Christmas present to our community[…]

Jamie McCallum That’s the clarification that many parents of a child with Down syndrome have had to start many conversations with over the last few weeks. I’m tired of saying it. Tired of seeing other people having to say it. Most of all, I’m tired of it falling on deaf ears when it is said. Read more about A blog that’s NOT about the “right to choose”[…]

Our post this week is written by Kirsty MacCuish, mum to Amelia and Noah. I have a favour to ask of you… As his speech is slowly growing you enjoy his first new words, the cute and funny way he says things. You enjoy having a little conversation with him, him telling you what he Read more about I have a favour to ask of you…[…]

This week we have a guest blog from Liz, writer of the popular blog Coraline and Us. Earlier this month she won in the Wellbeing category at the BAPS (Bloody Awesome Parents) awards; which recognises SEND bloggers. Congratulations Liz! Thank you for sharing this post with us. I am so excited to have won the Read more about Belief[…]

What do you get when you bring together 12 mums, 12 kids, autumn leaves, paint, toys, books, games and a magical extra chromosome? A 21 day Learnathon packed with giggles, signing and fun. A group of parents and their children have started a 21 day Learnathon on social media.  The team come from across the Read more about Community fundraises to make educational video library free to all[…]

‘Education is not a race to the end, but a journey that every child embarks upon.’  Jo Aiyathurai, manager of Kent charity 21 together and their new Teach Me Too initiative, spoke to us this week about why she wants to make ‘Early Skills’ videos produced by specialist teachers and speech therapists free to access Read more about Teach Me Too[…]