Coronafeirws - Parent carers of children with additional needs
General information and advice
The COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak has been very challenging. The patterns of our daily lives have been disrupted. We have changed many of our habits and behaviours. At the same time we are facing new anxieties and pressures. We know that this will be particularly difficult for many children with additional needs, and also for their families.
With so much change and confusion around, it's helpful to try to keep as much calm and predictability in our lives as we can. Try to keep up many of your usual routines. Try to plan your time together, and to talk often about what you're doing now, and what's next. This will help you all to feel some sense of order and structure.
Remember to look after yourself. Try techniques such as controlled breathing or mindfulness to help deal with stress and anxiety, even if you haven't used them before. And remember that stress and anxiety are a normal reaction to the current situation.
While we're not able to meet you face to face, there are still ways we can support you.
Please speak to your school for help and ideas about education at home.
If you need information or advice - or even just a chat - our Disability Wellbeing Navigators and Transition & Independence Coordinator are available by telephone or email. We can give practical advice about how to make the best use of the resources you already have at home.
Help and advice online
STAND
STAND North Wales are offering a range of help through their Facebook page (external website).
Every Monday and Wednesday they will be running a parent forum from 10.00am-12.00pm. They will be posting questions on the page and discussing different topics in each session. There's no need to log in, just go to the Facebook page.
There will be a live Jingle Rhyme and Story Time on the page every Thursday 10.30am-11.30am from Thursday the 2nd April.
Also, on their "Stay, play and learn with Stand" page, they will be sharing ideas and information for low cost, no-cost activities, and links to sites for parents and professionals to share ideas while children are off school.
They will be offering telephone slots for families to chat. Book by email: sarah@standnw.org
Vist the STAND website (external website)
Speaking Space
A speech, language and social communication service provider, have uploaded some resources to their website.
Visit Speaking Space website (external website)
Priory
A behavioural care provider, have blogged about how to help an autistic child during the coronavirus outbreak on their website:
Visit Priory Group website (external website)
Cerebra
An organisation which funds research. There is a factsheet about challenging behaviour on their website:
Visit Cerebra website (external website)
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation focusses on children, young people and adults with severe learning disabilities whose behaviour is challenging:
Visit Challenging Behaviour Organisation website
British Psychological Society
British Psychological Society advice on talking to children about Coronavirus is available here.
Visit British Psychological Society website (external website)
Mindheart
Mindheart have created a child-friendly explanation of Coronavirus for Primary age students:
Visit Mind Heart website (external website)
Brainpop
Brainpop have made an information video on Coronavirus for Primary age children (Key Stage 2).
Visit Brainpop website (external website)
World Health Organisation (WHO)
WHO, the World Health Organisation, have put an information video on Coronavirus for older children/adults on YouTube:
WHO: YouTube (external website)
UNICEF
UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, have posted some parenting tips online
UNICEF website (external website)
They also have advice on how to talk to your child about coronavirus.
SNAP Cymru
SNAP Cymru provides information, advice and support for parents, children and young people who have, or may have, special educational needs or disabilities.
Website: www.snapcymru.org (external website)
Family Lives
Family Lives provide help and advice on many aspects of parenting:
Website: www.familylives.org.uk
Coping practically and emotionally during the Covid-19 outbreak (external website)
National Autistic Society
The National Autistic Society is a British charity for autistic people, aiming to improve the lives of autistic people in the United Kingdom
Website: www.autism.org.uk (external website)
WCD Young Carers
WCD Young Carers provides services for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers in Wrexham, Conwy and Denbighshire.
Website: gofalwyr.cymru (external website)
NEWCIS
NEWCIS provides information, one to one support, training and counselling to carers living in North East Wales
Website: www.newcis.org.uk (external website)
Mind
Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem
Website: www.mind.org.uk (external website)
C.A.L.L.
C.A.L.L. offers emotional support and information & literature on mental health and related matters to the people of Wales
Website: www.callhelpline.org.uk (external website)
Samaritans
Samaritans provide emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide
Website: www.samaritans.org (external website)
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice provide free, confidential and impartial advice on all sorts of issues, including money, benefit, housing or employment problems
Telephone: freephone 0808 278 7933
Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk (external website)
Drug & Alcohol Helpline
Website: www.dan247.org.uk (external website)
Welsh Women's Aid
Website: www.welshwomensaid.org.uk (external website)
Public Health Wales
Website: phw.nhs.wales (external website)
NHS Wales Direct:
Website: www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk (external website)
NHS UK
Website: www.nhs.uk (external website)
GOV.WALES
Website: gov.wales/coronavirus (external website)
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