Special Needs Round-up: Summer holiday survival

The school holidays are here and blogging takes a back seat for most of us, or at least changes tack, pace and content.

But how DO you feel about the long stretch of holiday?

Are you pleased that the pressure is off, or does your child prefer a routine to stick to? Do you relish every moment together or does it exhaust you, do you worry about having the mental resources to survive all those weeks without help? Is time off work difficult for you, and do you find that childcare costs spiral? Is it difficult to find suitable activities for your child with a disability? Do your siblings tear each others hair out, or do they play beautifully?

I have to admit that this Summer break is the first year that I have not had butterflies in my tummy about. Natty, at 7 is somehow easier all of a sudden. She is less likely to dart off or stop to touch tarmac in the middle of the road. I fear her Houdini like escapology less than I used to, and she is a little more compliant, expecially when getting in and out of the car/house/shop/playground/swimming pool. Not always, but it’s easier. Add to that the fact that we now have pretty good language skills, enough to make up games with her sister, to role play, to ask for what she needs and tell us what she doesn’t, so the frustration levels and the tantrums have subsided a little.

It won’t be all plain sailing. There will be times I will grab my handbag and leave the darlings to Daddy Downs Side Up for a few hours, but with some careful planning, lists of stuff to do, people to see and places to go we might just survive.

So here’s my essential collection of Summer survival posts and sites:

Netbuddy provide a list of practical tips for everything from holiday insurance to ideas for comfortable long haul flights, helping children with autism stay calm at airports and planning ahead for the most enjoyable holiday possible. They are always my one stop site for thoughts on how to deal with tantrums, fear and everyday difficulties.

It’s nice to keep a little educational thread going through the Summer and Twinkl is a mine of SEN resources, most available to download free, and my go to site for rainy day games, flash cards, or colouring in templates. Try their storybook resources for example, with matching games for The Gruffalo, worksheet for The Hungry Caterpillar and sensory Going on a Bear Hunt fun. They have a special SEN page and cover every topic from numbers, to space, to beach and beyond.

If it’s arts and crafts you’re after, then look no further than Pinterest. Just type in Sensory play for example, and let your imagination run wild. I for one will be trying a lot of these ideas with our two while we have time on our hands, and Maggie from Red Ted Art is my craft blogger of choice.

Speech and Language Therapy comes in many guises. This fabulous vlog from Love That Max shows how music and the use of a child’s favourite song, in this case one from the film we all know and love, Frozen, can be used to help children find their voice. Watch Let It Go: Like You’ve Never Heard it Sung and see for yourself.  On a similar theme, this fabulous post from music therapist Christina Lydon, who writes at the Mothers Collective, about Why Singing to Babies is So Important will have you all reaching for the high notes!

Many of you will be preparing your child to transition to a new school or teacher. There are lots of things you can do to support your child, like making a visual/talking book, role playing at home wearing their school uniform or reading books about school. For more top tips and also an essential contact list of charities such as IPSEA who support parents through the statementing process, read Getting Ready to Start School over on Downs Side Up.

Those of you who work will be very well aware of the debate that has been brought to the fore about the prohibitive cost of childcare for those with a child with a disability. The school holidays are a crucial time for working parents and quality affordable support is even more essential. Mrboosmum sums it up eloquently in this post for Special Needs Jungle this month, and gives us the low down on the Parliamentary Inquiry into Childcare for Disabled Children.

And for those of you brave lucky enough to be venturing to the Big Smoke during this Summer season, here are some invaluable pointers from Alice Hassell at My Son My Life My Way. Five Things You need to Read Before Travelling to London.

 

And to all of you, whatever you are doing and wherever you are, be safe and healthy and happy and enjoy each moment as much as you can. 

Share some childcare with friends if you can. Factor in some ‘you’ time, even if it’s only a walk round the block while your mother-in-law takes the helm. Reach for your online support network, and if a glass or two extra of wine is needed along the way… well join the club.