Learning differences and disability

Children or young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) or with any sort of learning difficulty such as ADHD or dyslexia, may also sometimes experience problems with mood, anxiety, and sleep. This link on neurodiversity and co-existing difficulties explains more.

Please also look at the topics in each age section for more specific advice on mood, anxiety, ADHD and Autism.
For dyslexia, see the bottom of this page

Websites, resources and charities

  • Parents Toolkit -supporting your child with SEND. A huge number of really great resources including for ADHD and Autism
  • Understood A well-respected US website with hundreds of free resources and videos on topics as diverse as “Talking to your child’s teacher”, “Helping your child with fear” and “Making a sensory travel kit”. For any learning and thinking difference from dyslexia to autism.
  • Mencap is a great website with lots of practical information as well as advice for all disabilities.
  • National Autistic Society has ideas and suggestions for supporting someone with autism around routine change, anxiety and sensory issues such as hand washing. You can contact their helpline for information and advice
  • I’ve heard that autism and ADHD are related. Is that true?

Help with challenging behaviour

Practical Help

Find local UK support

If your child is disabled, you should get a pink disability card from your City Council.

Helplines

  • Supportive parents This charity has a helpline and lots of online resources and practical advice e.g. on financial assistance. They are based in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire but the website is accessible to anyone. They run some local parent groups and liaise with schools. Helpline (free) 0117 989 7725
  • Contact National charity for parents of disabled children with advice on child and family well-being, information on conditions and practical matters such as finance, and how to find parent support groups in your area. Helpline (free) 0808 808 3555
  • National Autistic Society has ideas and suggestions for supporting someone with autism around routine change, anxiety and sensory issues such as hand washing. You can contact their helpline for information and advice (Monday to Thursday 10 am-4 pm and Fridays 9 am-3 pm) on 0808 800 4104.

For Young People (see also ADHD and autism sections)

 

Resources and activities

    • Box of ideas A fabulous site full of practical advice for professionals and parents on topics such as dyspraxia, dyslexia, and autism. Ideas for games, coping with school, eating or toileting problems, fun things to do and much more.
    • Understood.This US site has superb resources for all sorts of learning or thinking issues, for schools and for parents from ADHD to Dyslexia and much more
    • Download SEND resources for parents and teachers–  charts, graphics, and games to help with mood, sleep, and social situations

 

Learning difficulties: dyslexia and dyspraxia


Dyslexia may cause challenges, but many dyslexic people find that they have strengths in certain areas such as 3-Dimensional thinking, communication, and creativity. This is why we find that many dyslexics are highly successful, in particular in certain jobs. If your dyslexic child needs a boost to their self-esteem, read this on Dyslexia strengths or take a look at famous dyslexics in Dyslexia Success Stories.