What’s new in the blog...
(Photography by Elisha Clarke)
I'm delighted to share something very special with you—my first original song, The Morning Song!
This song, written and performed by my husband John and me, along with some help from our talented musician friends, was created especially for children in Ireland who use Lámh signs to communicate.
For those unfamiliar, Lámh is a manual sign...
One of the main questions for parents of children with disabilities over the last two months has been, "What would happen if I became sick? Who would look after my child/children?" This is a concern for all parents, particularly parents of children with autism or significant language delays.
Children with autism often have difficulties with social interaction, including establishing and...
Two weeks ago, my youngest son had his First Communion. It was such a beautiful day. All the 8-year-olds dressed impeccably, their faces lit up with big smiles; it was indeed their special day.
The teachers had arranged the church seating alphabetically, so Mr. Angel and I ended up in the front row. This sitting position gave us a perfect view of the altar and ceremony. I enjoyed every moment...
(Music Credit - https://tunetank.com/ Book & Illustration Credit - Judith Kerr)
You probably already know how much I love reading stories to children. It's not just something I do professionally; it's also a delightful part of our family's bedtime routine.
My two boys have grown from enjoying simple pictures and storybooks to loving David Walliams' stories as they've gotten older. But...
I'm thrilled to bring you a special video addressing a question from Ciara Olwill, a special education teacher at St. Mary's National School in Virginia, County Navan.
Ciara aims to create an inclusive environment in her school by introducing basic Lámh signs to all students, ensuring that children who communicate with Lámh can connect with everyone.
And Ciara ...
I've recently received a question from one of our readers, a mother of two young children, one autistic, and the other is currently awaiting assessments.
I'm sharing this with you because her question resonates with the experiences of many in our community: the feelings of being overwhelmed as we strive to support our children, often without a clear roadmap for navigating this journey.
I've...
(Photo 96150314 © Tatyana Tomsickova | Dreamstime.com)
Young children with developmental delays often start educational and therapy interventions at an early age.
It's natural for toddlers and pre-schoolers to respond differently to these interventions. Some children eagerly embrace the activities presented by their parents and educators, showing curiosity and delight. On the other hand,...
In this blog post, I celebrate a significant milestone:
My son is finishing his first year in secondary school.
I feel immense joy and amazement at his progress. Reflecting on his journey, it's incredible to see how much he has grown. As a mother of a child with additional needs, my aim is to share our story, offering hope and inspiration to fellow parents who are also navigating similar...
(Photo 14997390 © Darko64 | Dreamstime.com)
As an early intervention specialist and a parent, I understand the importance of teaching delayed gratification to all children, including children with disabilities. It is a valuable life skill that helps them learn patience, perseverance, and the ability to work towards what they want.
In this blog, I share practical strategies to help...
(Illustration 155631998 © Ramu Chinnasamy | Dreamstime.com)
Starting primary school is a significant milestone in a child's life, and it can be both exciting and overwhelming for parents and children alike.
For children with additional needs, transitioning to primary school can be even more challenging, with new environments, routines, and people to get used to.
As an...
(Photo 184933974 / Father Child Hugging © Christinlola | Dreamstime.com)
Parenting can be challenging and rewarding, and balancing discipline with love and nurturing is a constant struggle for parents. As an early intervention specialist and mother, I have been reflecting on this topic a lot lately, especially after teaching a Masterclass on Behaviour just before Easter.
Last week, while...
(Photo 251270419 © Pojoslaw | Dreamstime.com)
With World Down Syndrome Day this week, I wanted to share a personal story that has shaped my life. It's about my childhood friend Monica, who had Down Syndrome.
A story about friendship, inclusion and inspiration.
I met Monica when I was around 6 or 7 years old. I remember the first day she entered our classroom - she was the "new kid". Even...
(Photo 118478201 / Child © Katie Nesling | Dreamstime.com)
As an education consultant who has worked with many parents and teachers of children with additional needs, I have noticed that rewards are often used to manage children's behaviour.
In particular, some approaches geared towards autistic children heavily use rewards to encourage the child to perform certain tasks or behaviours....
(Photo 250682456 © Eleonoraos | Dreamstime.com)
In this blog post, I wanted to answer a question sent to me by a teacher.
The Question:
"I am supporting a Junior Infant girl with Down syndrome. She is bright and happy yet very stubborn regarding what she will do. She walks out of the classroom mid-lesson, although we have movement breaks, as she would rather play! I want to do the...
(Photo 258330047 / Couple Child Disability © Yuri Arcurs | Dreamstime.com)
Based on my experience working with families for over 20 years, I have observed that many couples become more robust as they navigate the challenges of parenting a child with additional needs. However, it is important to acknowledge that some couples may experience the opposite and instead grow apart.
There is no...
(Photo Rachel Tyrrel - The Colour Club)
I started working with some new families in early January. It has been exciting to get to know the little ones and find ways to bond with them before we start an early intervention programme.
Visual supports are among the first supports I encourage families and educators to use.
Although families and educators seem aware of visual supports, only some know...
(Photo 80645577 / Autistic Child © Olesia Bilkei | Dreamstime.com)
In this blog, I answer a question sent by a preschool teacher:
The Question:
"I would love to know more about how to deal with children with autism in the preschool room who don’t have language or social skills and don’t like other children coming close to them.
I would love to know how I can help and support...
(Photo 69724423 / Child © Syda Productions | Dreamstime.com)
In this blog, I respond to an early years educator's recent question.
The Question:
"How do you stop a child with Down Syndrome from throwing toys? We have tried a box and asked her to look in the box and show her, which she will do. But then, as soon as you don't say it, she will throw toys again. We are...
(Photo 102887981 / Child Blowing Bubbles © Eleonoraos | Dreamstime.com)
Learning to control one's breath flow is critical in developing speech.
From a young age, babies experiment with this as they make sounds and babble. When babies are "blowing raspberries," they discover they can inhale and exhale to produce a sound.
This is what we do when we talk. We inhale first, and then we exhale...
(Photo 229746503 © Evgenyatamanenko | Dreamstime.com)
I often talk about inclusion of children with disabilities in our communities. But before we can look at inclusion in the community, we must remember that inclusion starts within the family circle.
Enjoying a family meal, going to the playground with friends, or enjoying a sleepover at the grandparents' house, may not be...
(Photo 104711102 © Igor Mojzes | Dreamstime.com)
Christmas is a time of celebration and fun.
But being off school, changes in routine and family gatherings can sometimes be difficult for children with additional needs.
Over the years, through my experience as a mum and working with other families with children with disabilities, I have learned a few things about planning...
