Activities, Services, Toys, Products and Holidays for Children with Special Needs

Hope is a unique non-denominational charity for children. The Hope Centre for Cognitive Education is dedicated to the promotion and enhancement of learning potential using the methodology of Professor Feuerstein. The Centre helps students with a variety of learning and developmental difficulties ranging from bright under-achievers to those with complex needs including autistic spectrum disorders, ADHD, Downs Syndrome.

The methods include Feuerstein’s Instrumental Enrichment programme (IE) a structured thinking skills programme taught individually or in groups and is designed to complement and underpin a regular school curriculum and Mediated Learning Experience (MLE) which develops the learner’s cognitive functions. Mediated Learning involves the child as an active participant in the learning process, making the child consciously aware of how he is thinking. The Centre works as a multi-disciplinary team and actively encourage parents to become mediators with their own children and are invited to participate in teaching sessions.

Provision of riding lessons for disabled people of all ages and standards. Open seven days a week. Fun and physiotherapy combined.

The college holds a free weekly clinic for children treating many conditions including: asthma, eczema, hyperactivity and weight problems.

Drug free, natural and non-invasive treatment of development and learning problems, including:

• Dyslexia
• Dysphasia
• Dyspraxia
• Hyperactivity
• Panic Attacks

The David Mulhall Centre was opened in 1995 and has since successfully treated thousands of children and adults. Please phone, write or e-mail for an initial consultation.

E-Mail: info@davidmulhall.co.uk

Established for nine years, Toybox offers a professional tailor made service to all our clients. We provide permanent staff for families, nurseries, playschemes and schools, covering Sussex, Surrey and South London as well as having an established emergency staff team for staff sickness and holidays. Overseas positions with families and Mark Warner are available for permanent and temporary assignments. Applicants are personally interviewed, police checked through CRB and all references checked before being sent out on assignments.

A member of the Federation of Small Businesses, Care Standards and Best Bear, we pride ourselves in the quality of our service.

All consultants are trained professionals and most are qualified Nursery Nurse or carers.

Please call:
(01883) 722322 for Sussex, Surrey and London areas.
(020) 8686 1766 for South London area.

The Council for Disabled Children (CDC) is the umbrella body for the disabled children’s sector in England, with links to the other UK nations.

We are not resourced to provide advice or support directly to families with disabled children or children with SEN. We signpost families on to relevant organisations. Visit our website for information on national policy that impacts upon disabled children and children with special educational needs (SEN) and their families as well as details of organisations that provide advice and support.

Since 1977, the Peter Le Marchant Trust has provided day trips and longer holidays for disabled and seriously ill people of all disabilities and all ages on specially designed canal boats. Over half our passengers are aged under eighteen.

From April to October inclusive, “Symphony” takes 26 people on day trips (including weekends), “Serenade” takes 10 people on 3/4 night holidays, and narrowboat “Melody” is available for weekly hire by a family or group with at least one disabled member. Charges are kept to a minimum so as not to exclude any groups. The remainder is raised in donations.

For cerebal palsy children and associated disabilities. The centre provides pre-school education for children 0-5 years. We belong to scope's network of schools for parents using methods inspired by those of the Peto Institute in Hungary. Programmes are designed to stimulate and awaken the child's senses and encourage self awareness through activities which are fun for both parent and child.

Grooms Holidays provide the opportunities for people with disabilities to go on vacation with friends and family to accessible locations at affordable rates and enjoy a memorable holiday.

Discover new places, new faces in beautiful Britain. With its golden beaches, rocky shores and lush, green countryside there’s sure to be somewhere just right for you. What takes your fancy? We offer a select choice of hotels and self-catering accommodation around the UK. There are a variety of attractive coastal and countryside holiday choices to suit different tastes. We have personally selected the accommodation for its suitability to provide the facilities needed and access for those with various degrees of disability.

Grooms Holidays is part of John Grooms charity, the UK’s largest provider of accessible holiday properties.

Email: holidays@johngrooms.org.uk

Web: www.groomsholidays.org.uk

For those families seeking help and advice regarding children's behavioural and emotional problems. The approach taken is to examine parents childhood experiences and their own parenting practices, their own emotions and expectations of their child with a view to making adjustments to the way they deal with their child.

37 years experience of clinical psychology with children and parents including 32 years within the NHS. Face to face one hour appointments in London and Bristol.

Please contact us on the above number.

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY FOR BABIES AND CHILDREN

Does your baby or child suffer:

• Crying, Irritability
• Feeding Difficulties
• Sickness, Colic
• Sleep Disturbance
• Infections
• Ear Infections
• Asthma
• Sinus and Adenoidal Problems
• Behaviour Problems
• Hearing Difficulties
• Headaches and Pains
• And More.

Craniosacral Therapy helps the body's inherent healing ability to release stresses and strains, caused by enormous forces the baby is subjected to during the birth process. It will help the system to resolve the problem and work in a more balanced way.

For further information please call the number above.

Feel Good Friends is an award winning company all about helping children to feel good about themselves and their world. The range of unique educational products all help to build confidence and self esteem in a fun way.

We want children to focus on what they are good at, why they are special, and how they can help others to feel good.

Here are some of the benefits:

• Teaches about feelings and emotions
• Calms and relaxes
• Eases tension in body and mind
• Encourages sharing and caring
• Builds confidence and self esteem
• Enforces positive behaviour
• Non - competitive
• Teaches counting and colour recognition
• Assists with setting positive life goals
• Establishes empathy

Children with high self esteem do better at school, form relationships easier, have better concentration and are generally happier and healthier. The Feel Good Friends range helps to build emotional intelligence which is the ability to understand your own emotions and those of people around you.

We all want our children to feel happy and confident so bring the Feel Good factor into your home with the Feel Good Friends. The range includes games, books, relaxation Cd and posters.

Basingstokes first giant indoor adventure playground!

Wonderful entertainment for children up to the age of 12. Have fun on the Giant Slides, Aerial Runway Rope Nets, Ball Pools and more. Parents room and coffee lounge. Facilities for disabled children and adults. On-site parking. Parties catered for to include party bags, invitations and birthday tea. Please contact us for full details.

Special Kids in the UK offers an online support forum, regular newsletters and offers to parents/families of children with a special need and/or disability. We also has a wide range of information available on our site around the subject of respite, services, education and more.

What makes us unique is that we parents/carers of children with special needs ourselves. Understanding the difficulties and emotions involved with a child of any age with special needs is something we can all associate with. In addition friendship, support and practical hints and tips are a major feature of our organisation.

For more information visit our website:

Web: www.specialkidsintheuk.org
Email: information@specialkidsintheuk.org

Bridge Psychology is a provider of specialist psychological services for children with learning disabilities, autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions.

We undertake clinical and diagnostic assessments, provide supervision and consultancy and offer bespoke training. We will work with, and for, individual families, independent and public sector organisations, courts and legal services.

Reduced rates are available for parents & carers and fixed (the price you pay won’t change and increase over time!) quotes can be provided upon request.

Please contact us to discuss your needs and to see how we can support you.

‘All children should learn to touch type’ Daily Telegraph ....

• Close to London
• Suitable for anyone in the family - ages 7 - 107
• Uses several types of software to meet all needs.
• Courses run for four mornings. Cost £250. Family & early booking discounts
• Relaxed stress free holiday course
• Teacher is a qualified special needs tutor and typing trainer
• Recommended by the Richmond Dyslexic Association but suitable for anyone
• Private touch typing tuition throughout the year
• Visit the website below for further details
• Private tuition for students with learning difficulties, 11+ and up to 18 also available

Email: jane@verityping.co.uk

SenseToys offers practical information and an interesting range of toys and activities for pre-school children and particularly for children with special educational needs – all based on first hand experience!

The emphasis of our resources to promote the acquisition of language through play for both verbal and non-verbal children.

SenseToys was set up by parents of two children with special needs, one with a language delay and one with autism. The carefully selected range of resources aim at helping children acquire language through play by helping to make learning fun and rewarding. Even the most ordinary toys can help your child if you know how to use them effectively.

The range includes thick wooden jigsaws with simple non-stylised pieces, lovely fabric beanie bags to teach shapes and colours, threading activities with large holes and chunky pieces, cause and effect toys and a great selection of tactile and sensory balls for lots of squishy bouncy fun. We also now include basic games and actvities to help with alphabet, counting and language concepts such as prepositions, opposites, small medium and large and we have a new range of toys to facilitate construction play.

Tel: 0845 257 0849 for a catalogue
Web: www.sensetoys.com

Tuition and Assessment for Dyslexia by a Dyslexia Specialist in Swansea, Cardiff and South Wales.

The main services provided by Surrey County Arts are:

• Music Lessons on a wide range of instruments and voice
• Workshops and Residential courses
• Music Therapy and teaching support for Special Needs
• Classroom support related to national curriculum, GCSE and 'A' Level
• Surrey County Youth Theatre
• Dance and Drama opportunities.

And more …. Log onto the website for full details.

Web: www.surreycountyarts.org.uk

Break provides a range of specialist care service for children and young people in need. This includes fully supported holidays and respite care for children with learning disabilities, including those with high level needs and behavioural difficulties. While on holiday at Break, guests enjoy a full range of activities and daily outings, all supported by a skilled and professional staff team. There is a soft play room, sensory room, heated swimming pool and each bedroom has it’s own wash basin and tv/video for guests.

Break also has adapted self-catering chalets which provide a low cost base for a wonderful family holiday in Norfolk.

Please call us for more details – and you can enjoy a holiday to remember with Break.

Established since 1990, MXT Swim is a premier swimming school teaching babies from 6 months, children up to 14 years and adults. Our unique programme is designed to produce confident and capable swimmers in a safe and fun environment.

MXT provide a fast track programme with one-to-one teaching as well as group sessions.

Each child is treated as an individual and we progress them at their own pace according to their ability.

Water confidence is nurtured by ensuring that structured lessons are fun and playful while encouraging two-way communication between teacher and child. Swimmers will achieve the highest standard of strokes to equip themselves with the skills required to enjoy all water-based activities.

Intensive swimming courses are also available during all school breaks.

Swimming lessons for babies and children in: Steyning, Chichester, Pulborough

Individual movement and listening programmes for adults and children.

Often the symptoms are all too obvious, but the causes less so. Rather than focusing on the symptoms we identify the underlying causes and work to reduce them through a daily exercise done at home.

Do you or your child have:

• Reading problems
• Dyslexia

• Dyspraxia(DCD)
• Attention Deficit disorder(ADD)
• Asperger’s Syndrome
• Anxiety and Panic Disorder
• Developmental immaturity
• Speech and language difficulties
• Bed wetting
• Low self esteem
• Sensory processing difficulties

The individual Reflex integration and stimulation programmes we provide work at a very early point developmentally. They work by securing the foundations on which all other development is built. Because we work at such a fundamental level we can help lots of people who have very different problems and/or diagnoses. Drug free non invasive therapy to help you or your child achieve your full potential and make your life easier.

We have clinics in Leith Edinburgh, Morningside Edinburgh and Biggar, South Lanarkshire.

Get in touch today.

Please visit the website or contact the Centre for further information.

Established for over 20 years TFH are providers of carefully selected fun products designed to help you or those in your care enjoy life, and achieve more. Positive experiences unlock potential and so our "toys" will lead to functional as well as emotional benefits including:

• Controlled sensory input stimulates exploration of the environment.
• Practicing fine and gross-motor movement develops and retains skills.
• Responsive equipment aids self-awareness, a stepping-stone towards responsibility.
• Positioning devices and swings help coordination, confidence and self-regulation.
• Participation in turn-taking games encourages socialization.
• Interactive Equipment empowers the user, leading to independence.

Order our free colour catalogue or visit our website to stimulate your imagination, begin programs, or reinforce encouraged behaviours, there is a lot that we can achieve…while having Fun.

Email: mail@tfhuk.com

Accessible holidays for disabled people and families in Brittany, France. We can provide accessible accommodation, transport and a support service. We try to make your holiday as "hassle free" as possible. From self catering to luxury hotels we can offer you confidence with accessibility. Contact us for more information.

Like us on Facebook @basingstokegym and Instagram: basingstokegymnastics

Basingstoke Gymnastics Club offers a variety of activities for all ages.

• We offer pre-school drop in session from sitting -4 years.
• Pre-school structured sessions from 2 years – 4 years
• Pre-School Ballet 3-4 years
• Freestyle classes for all ages and abilities
• Disability Gymnastic and Holiday camps depending on time of year

For any class information please contact reception by email or telephone.

See our website for more information.

Yippee is the YMCA’s fun and safe playschemes for children aged 5-11 with a wide range of disabilities and complex needs.

Our qualified and experienced staff encourage disabled children to take part in a variety of age appropriate activities including cookery, music, arts and crafts, gardening, sports and tactile play plus trips out for activities like swimming and bowling.

Yippee runs every Saturday (10.00am-4.00pm), two Sundays per month (10.00am-4.00pm) and every Thursday after school (3.00-6.00pm) and runs weekdays during all school holidays (10.00am-4.00pm).

Is your child/adult learner struggling with spelling and related skills?
Is your child/adult learner underachieving or is possibly dyslexic?
Do you want to see him/her succeed NOW?

RwRR can help you. RwRR (Read it wRite it Remember it) is a unique multisensory STRATEGY, which deals with common areas of failure regarding spelling and related skills and due to its flexible nature it can be tailor-made to individual, group or class needs with little or no preparation.

Our selection of workbooks, flashcards and guides give parents and teachers the tools to help learners acquire the necessary skills for confident spelling. This will in turn help with better long and short-term memory, better concentration, improved self-esteem and encourages independent learning.

Visit our website today and discover an exciting way forward and one you will want to tell others about!

Mobile: 07752 599968
Email: dianeguerard@hotmail.com

Mill Court, 40 Windmill Road, Headington, Oxfordshire OX3 7BX

Oxford ADHD Centre is the first specialist independent clinic in Oxford for children and adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related conditions.

We offer assessments and also ongoing management and follow-up, including treatment with medication if appropriate. We have specialist ADHD and ASD coaches working within the Oxford ADHD Centre and Support Groups for adults and parents/carers.

All of our staff have a high level of experience working within these specialties and include Psychiatrists, Psychologists, a specialist Paediatrician, an Occupational Therapist, Speech & Language Therapist and specialist coaches.

MOVE is a national charity working with severely disabled children in a Programme designed to increase their mobility and therefore their independence.

MOVE combines therapy and education in a programme which helps children work towards goals that they really want to achieve, which can range from learning to hold their head up by themselves to learning the skills needed to play football with their friends using a pacer. MOVE is unique in that no child is too disabled to use it and works with the child’s parents, teachers and therapists to teach them skills which are then practised in everyday life, enabling parents to be involved in key decision making and instrumental in their child’s development.

Visit our website or call us on 020 7407 5344 to find out more information, speak to a specialist or a parent of a child already on the programme or to visit a school using MOVE.

Email: move@move-europe.org.uk

We are a London club that specialises in teaching 4-15yrs children skateboarding

With our highly trained instructors in a funky, cultural venue we aim to teach kids the basics of skateboarding, whilst allowing them to make new friends, learn skilful tricks, and maintain an interest in a type of exercise that is fun to do.

We focus on teaching children skate park skateboarding and street skateboarding and work to a wristband system which means children can earn different colour wristbands the more they do.

Skateboarding is particularly good for co-ordination and motor skills and as it crosses the midline of the body (Occupational Therapists recommend this for SEN needs because it strengthens core balance).

We run Weekend Beginner Sessions; Holiday and Afterschool Clubs; Skateboarding Parties and Private Lessons for individuals or groups. See website for dates and times.

Holiday Club venues – Royal Oak Skate park W2 5EJ (Full Day and Half Day Sessions)
Skateboarding Parties – Westway Sport Centre W10 6RP, however we can travel to a different venue
Weekend Clubs and Afterschool Clubs – Westway Sport Centre W10 6RP; Bishops Park, Bishops Avenue SW6 6EA
Private Lessons – Bishops Park (Fulham) Clapham Skate park; Cantelowes (Camden); Royal Oak Skate park (Maida Vale); Gurnell Skate Park (Ealing); Coldfall (Muswell Hill); Alexandra Palace skate park

The Disability Martial Arts Association was sent up in January 2007 We are a wide supporting network for people with disabilities and their families who are or who wish to be involved in martial arts.

We have set up a data base of Martial Arts Academy’s School’s and Club’s in the UK that will teach people with all types of disabilities.

Martial arts classes for children and adults with disabilities

Amazing kids activities using the world’s best air-drying clay - JumpingCLAY. What will you create? Our favourite activities:

• Themed 1 & 2 Hr Clay Workshops
• Community Group Activity Workshops
• Kids Birthday Parties
• After-School Programmes for Your School
• Holiday CAMPS & Schemes
• Mini-Make Workshops at Events
• Baby & Toddler Hand Print Workshops

All activities are run by trained instructors and based on our basic shapes, characters, colours and simple step-by-step modelling guides. After the workshop you will take your creation home that day, leave it to dry for 24 hours and you will have your own toy to treasure forever.

Community Group Workshops - Come to us, or we can come to you!

Let us design the perfect workshop for your group. Visit your local academy or have your local activity provider come out to you. Perfect for:

• Nurseries
• Pre-Schools
• Schools
• Play Groups
• Youth Centres
• Events, Fairs & Fetes
• Hospitals
• and many more

Get Creative with our Growing Product Range

JumpingCLAY is a jasmine scented, mess-free clay that when rolled in ball, bounces when thrown or dropped. There is no need to bake and finished creations are simply left overnight to dry, once dry they can be treasured forever.

Arts & crafts workshops for children in Northern Ireland, Belfast, Derbyshire, Worcestershire, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, (Halifax and Huddersfield), South Wales (Cardiff), Romford (Essex), Nottingham, Leicester & Sheffield

The New Eccles Hall School is set in beautiful grounds in rural Norfolk near the Cambridgeshire and Suffolk borders. We are a mainstream, independent school with Nursery, Junior and Secondary departments and we have day pupils and weekly boarders.

Our Individual Tuition Unit provides strong support for pupils with special educational needs and we have many years' experience in helping with dyslexia, dyspraxia, aspergers, Specific Learning Difficulties and Communication Difficulties.

Web: www.neweccleshall.com

Summer camp for children aged 5-12 with special needs.

All staff have specialist knowledge of working with children with additional needs and have years of experience. Activities include arts and crafts, cooking, trips out, sports and plenty of fun!! Lunch is also provided. £25 half day £40 full day £175 full week

See our Facebook page @Specialsummers or contact Rachel Stott on 07837308308

We teach the safest method of riding horses. Our speciality is to one tuition for all ages starting from 4 years. We are BHS and ABRS approved.

Group lessons and Private Group lessons, ‘Ride With Your Mind’ Coaching and exam training. We also work with special needs individually, offer tutoring in caring of your animal and we are a Pony club centre.

Russell’s Livery offers full facilities. We can look after your horse or pony for you.

Epona Trust is a non-profit making organisation that re-habilitates horses and ponies. Horses and ponies available for loan.

Could your child benefit from:

• Building their self-confidence?
• Overcoming anxiety and nervousness?
• Having more capacity and motivation for learning?

As an experienced NLP4Kids Practitioner, Cognitive Hypnotherapist & Coach, I provide practical and solution-focused help for children and teenagers (age 11 upwards), to help them gain control of their emotions, and to feel better about themselves and their world – often more quickly than you might imagine.

My approach involves gentle and informal NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) & Personal Coaching sessions, with the addition of gentle hypnotherapy if required.

You are very welcome to call me for a free, no obligation telephone consultation on 07979 371701 to discuss your child's issue, and to see how I might be able to help them.

I also provide Parent coaching for additional support, and if this is of interest you are very welcome to get in touch, I'll be happy to help.

Therapist: Jenny Amir Cognitive Hypnotherapist, NLP Master Practitioner,NLP4Kids Practitioner & Coach