Resources

A New Online Community for Parents of Children with Special Needs

Earlier this year, Netbuddy – the social networking site for parents of people with learning disabilities I helped to set up and run – merged with the UK disability charity Scope. The idea was to create a new online community for parents of children with a wide range of disabilities, and disabled people who want to connect with others too. This new online community has now launched, and it brings together the best of Scope’s existing forums with some of the content and features that made Netbuddy so popular. In particular, visitors can search for practical ideas from hundreds of tried and tested tips on everything from travel to technology. The tips are organised into easy-to-find categories, such as ‘food and eating’ or ‘equipment and aids’, and they have all been contributed by people with first-hand experience of disability. Members of thenew online community will be able to tag tips and topics of discussion they’re interested in, as well as instantly tweet and share information they have found useful. They’ll be able to contribute their own tips and ideas, and thank other people using a special ‘Thanks’ button, similar to Facebook’s ‘Like’ feature. Below is a selection of tips from our new online community. We’d love to hear yours too!

1. Work backwards

A great way to teach people the basics of dressing themselves is to work backwards, so first teach them to put on their shoes. Once they've got this, reward them and then teach putting on socks and then shoes. It can take a while but worth the end result. This technique can be used for almost any routined learning.

2. Say it with an emoji

Sometimes my brother, who has autism, can find it hard to explain how he is feeling – but he likes choosing an emoji icon on the phone/ipad to represent an emotion. -

3. Sponge hair rollers

Sponge hair rollers are a fantastic and cheap way to help improve grip on tricky objects. Just slot the sponge hair roller through a fork, toothbrush, ... etc.

4. Two sheets are better than one

I put two waterproof sheets on my son’s bed, so if he has an accident, I can gently peel the sheet away without making him get up - so he goes back to sleep more easily.

5. Hide the treats

Toby loves ice lollies, given half the chance he would eat a whole box up in one go. I had a brain wave one day and washed an empty frozen vegetable bag out and put the lollies in there and there hasn't been a problem since.

6. Sleep tight

We had 12 years of Andrew waking during the night. A health professional suggested we wrap a quilt cover over the bed and tuck it in tightly either side under the mattress, so his bedding doesn't come off, and he feels snug and tightly tucked in. It worked instantly, and he has slept better ever since.

7. Paint with smells

I like to do 'smelly painting collages' with my daughter. Using mint sauce, coffee, chocolate, sherbert etc. We've also tried making a pulp from grass by adding a bit of water to it. My daughter is visually impaired so it really helps bring the world to her

8. Reluctant bather?

If you are caring for someone who won't wash, get involved with activities that are followed by showers, eg swimming. It may help if they see other people showering.

9. Foil play mat

We use a foil emergency blanket as play matt for Matty - it is great for sensory stimulation as it is shiny and makes nice sounds.

10. Don’t forget the siblings

When Hugh's in hospital we always make sure we make a fuss of his brother too. We hide toy cars or sweets in Hugh's hospital bed or under his pillow and say he's bought them for his brother.

11. Cotton bud brushing

A good trick on occasions you can't brush someone's teeth is to dip a cotton bud in Listermint or any mouthwash and rub the bud around the base of the teeth and gums. Can help with reducing swelling in swollen gums.

12. Blow it!

Playing mouth games, like blowing raspberries or kisses, can help strengthen muscles and reduce drooling. Try blowing bubbles in the bath water with straws or have a competition to see how far you can both blow feathers, cotton wool balls or tissue paper.

13. Song cues

Try using a rhyme or song e.g. a hello song for snack time, group time, toilet time, lunch time etc…. to communicate a transition within the day’s routine. To find out more about Scope, visit www.scope.org.uk/community