1.1

SESSION 1 Parenting a child with special needs 1.2

PARENTS OF A CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS FACE PARTICULAR CHALLENGES Standard parenting advice often doesn’t work. Other people don’t understand what it’s like. It’s easy to feel frustrated and isolated. 1.3

What ground rules do we want in this group to help it run smoothly? GROUP AGREEMENT What ground rules do we want in this group to help it run smoothly? 1.4

TIME OUT FOR PARENTS AIMS TO: Increase your confidence in your skills and abilities to parent. Help the relationship between you and your child to be even better than it is now. Teach you skills to help raise your child’s self-esteem. 1.5

TIME OUT FOR PARENTS AIMS TO: Help you work out the best way to effectively discipline your child. Give you tools to help you in your relationship with your child’s other parent or carer and to encourage mutual support. Provide you with greater support where you would like it. 1.6

SESSION PLAN What are special educational needs? Course outline. Helping your child to reach their potential. In for the long haul. 1.7

WHAT ARE SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS? Difficulties that make it harder for a child to learn than for other children roughly their age. These can be mild, moderate or severe, temporary or long term. A disability which hinders them from accessing standard educational facilities. This term excludes additional needs where there are no education difficulties. 1.8a and 1.8b

WHAT ARE SPECIAL OR ADDITIONAL NEEDS? Learning difficulties. Emotional and behavioural difficulties. Developmental disorders. Speech and language problems. Hearing or visual impairment. Physical disabilities. Medical conditions. 1.9a and 1.9b

JUGGLING ISSUES 1.10

TIME OUT FOR PARENTS – CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS Parenting a child with special needs. Helping to raise your child’s self esteem. Coping with feelings. Understanding behaviour. Managing behaviour. Home and school issues. The wider family. 1.11

What concerns would you like to deal with during the course? YOUR CONCERNS What concerns would you like to deal with during the course? 1.12

GETTING TO KNOW YOU! One of my strengths as a parent is … One thing I love about my child is … 1.13

BREAK 1.14

HELPING YOUR CHILD REACH THEIR POTENTIAL Can you think of one unexpected thing that your child has already achieved which surprised and pleased you? 1.15

HELPING YOUR CHILD REACH THEIR POTENTIAL Acceptance is about not giving up – and it’s constant! Invest energy into overcoming difficulties. Don’t underestimate their potential. Aim for them to be fully involved in society. 1.16

What do you do to keep yourself going? IN FOR THE LONG HAUL What do you do to keep yourself going? 1.17

TAKING TIME OUT FOR YOURSELF ISN’T SELFISH, IT’S SURVIVAL! 1.18

INVOLVING THE FAMILY Aim for a consistent approach. Share your new ideas or discoveries with your partner or others who are involved in the caring. Use this opportunity to strengthen family relationships. 1.19a and 1.19b

REFLECTION Today we have looked at: Made a group agreement Looked at the aims of the course Explored what SEN are Looked at the course outline Considered how to help our children reach their potential Thought about being in it for the long haul 1.20

FOCUS FOR THE WEEK Do something nice for YOU! Tell your child what you love about them. 1.21

We will look at helping build your child’s self-esteem. NEXT WEEK We will look at helping build your child’s self-esteem. 1.22