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

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: [email protected]

The Osteopathic Centre for Children is a registered charity committed to the osteopathy care of children.

At the OCC clinic in London, babies and children come for treatment with such diverse conditions as asthma, cerebral palsy, colic, Down's syndrome, eczema, sleeplessness and the more common childhood ailments. Pregnant and post-partum women are also cared for.

The OCC is further committed to research into the effectiveness of osteopathy, and the raising of public awareness that osteopathy is for children first. More than 25,000 treatments are given at the clinic in London every year and no child is ever turned away for want of a family's ability to pay.

London Clinic
Osteopathic Centre for Children
15a Woodbridge Street, London EC1R 0ND
Tel:(020) 7490 5510

Manchester Clinic
Osteopathic Centre for Children
Phoenix Mill, Piercy Street, Ancoats, Manchester M4 7HY
Tel: (0161) 277 9911

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: [email protected]

SNAP! Childcare places specialist nannies and carers for babies, children and young adults who have additional needs. We offer a friendly, but professional service, both to individual families and organisations.

We offer a nationwide service, providing experienced and qualified nannies, carers and enablers for children and young adults who may have a range of special needs from a mild learning disability to profound and multiple disabilities and their siblings!

Our carers have a wide range of experience, including Makaton & British Sign language, Conductive Education, speech, occupational and physio therapy. We deal with live-in, daily, permanent and temporary positions. All nannies and carers are carefully vetted and personally interviewed. At least two references are verbally verified and an Enhanced Police Check is required (SNAP Childcare is a Registered Body with the Criminal Records Bureau).

Please log onto our website for full details.

Web: www.snapchildcare.co.uk

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.

Brainwave is an independent Charity based in Bridgwater, providing developmental therapy for children who have both physical and cognitive disabilities, whether caused by brain injury,genetic abnormality, or accident.

A programme of physical and cognitive exercises is designed by the therapy team according to each child’s very specific needs. These exercises are taught to the child’s parents and carers who carry out the programme in the comfort and familiarity of the family home; through which 80% of children make measurable improvements and some achieve a degree of independence far beyond their families’ expectations.

1500 children have benefited from the Brainwave Programme since the Charity was established in 1982.

Email: [email protected]

Many children don’t want to, or cannot, talk about their problems. Play therapy is very effective for children aged 3 to 12. The child chooses from a range of activities in the play room. These include: drawing and painting, sand tray, clay, puppets, musical instruments, story-telling, role play. The Play Therapist focuses closely on the child, communicating using the media the child has chosen. Although of course, the child can talk about their problems, when they are ready, on average research shows only 8% of the session is spent in talking.

Between 73% and 84% receiving play therapy to Play Therapy UK’s standards show a positive change – the more severe the problems the higher the change. (Based on over 10,000 cases).

Because play therapy works through unconscious processes, it is important that practitioners are fully qualified and meet the highest standards of practice. Play Therapy is now regulated through the Professional Standards Authority’s Accredited Register programme. The PTUK Register of Play and Creative Arts Therapists warrants the quality and effectiveness of its Registrants. Using unregistered therapists can be dangerous.

Play therapy improves a child’s ability to learn and reduces the chance of adult mental health problems.

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

Whizz-Kidz is a national charity that improves the quality of life of disabled children and young people up to 18 by providing them with customised mobility equipment such as powered wheelchairs.

We also offer wheelchair skills training, advice and information and campaign to raise awareness of disabled young people's needs. Many of those we help become members of our Kidz Board, acting as our ambassadors and getting involved in projects and events.

Through this support Whizz-Kidz has given nearly 4,000 disabled children and young people the chance to enjoy an independent life at home, at school and at play.

Web: www.whizz-kidz.org.uk

BIBIC exists to maximise the potential of children with conditions affecting their social, sensory communication, motor and learning abilities by teaching parents exercises and techniques which can help improve the quality of life for the whole family. A doctor and an interdisciplinary team address issues such as behaviour problems, understanding, mobility, speech and communication. Methods are compatible with school and serve to increase learning opportunities for children with problems.

Web: www.bibic.org.uk

Boogie Beat music and movement is quite a unique concept as our classes, workshops and parties are very active and lively, and incorporate dance themes based on traditional fairy tales and nursery rhymes using all our own music and illustrations.

Beautiful puppets are also used from our Toy Box, to sing songs, both traditional and new. Various large visual props are introduced throughout the session to engage the children and beautiful illustrations are used to enhance their imagination.

Boogie Beat classes are suitable for children 6 months to preschool. We also run weekly workshops within Nurseries/playgroups and Schools (up to Yr 1 and after school clubs) and Birthday Parties too!

"Boogie Beat has proved to be a great experience for both my children. The songs, music and movement have been instrumental in the growth of their confidence." NH

Music groups and parties for babies, toddlers and preschool children in Peterborough, Crewe, Nantwich, Barnard Castle, Bishop Auckland, Durham, Newton Hall, Shildon, Spennymoor, Derby, Colchester, Edinburgh, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Quedgeley, Winchcombe, Aldershot, Farnborough, Berkhamstead, Hemel Hempstead, Tring, Carluke, East Kilbride, Motherwell, Blackpool, Preston, Northampton, Banbridge, Burren, Lisburn, Lurganare, Newry, Rostrevor, Warrenpoint, Clevedon, Nailsea, Weston-s-Mare, Winscombe, Wrington, Yatton, Abingdon, Bampton, Didcot, Grove, Harwell, Steventon, Wantage, Cheddar, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke on Trent, Stirling, Stockport, Bramhall, Davenport, Hazel Grove, Marple, Reddish, Banstead, Byfleet, Cobham, Farnham, Walton on Thames, Dail Post, Horsham, Lancing, Southwater, Radford Semele, Royal Leamington Spa, Acton, Chester, Gresford and Rhostyllen

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: [email protected]

The World-wide Education Service (WES) is one of the leading providers of home education courses worldwide. We supply accredited comprehensive, up-to-date learning courses for children aged 4-14 years. No previous teaching experience is required.

WES is designed to create a school in the home, this is particularly beneficial where education facilities are limited or, where there is a need to "top up" local school education.

Our service includes:

• An initial assessment of your child’s educational level.
• Courses tailored to the individual needs of your child, based on the National Curriculum of England.
• All necessary books and materials to support the subjects.
• An introduction from your WES personal tutor who will advise and support you in your role of teacher.
• Regular assessments of your child’s progress.
• A final report detailing your child’s educational level to hand on to future schools.
• A Certificate of Completion

WES is also able to offer a home schooling package for special needs children. Coursework can be adapted to accommodate specific requirements.

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

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: [email protected]

Pure Living Collection is an online store that sells a fabulous range of luxurious duvets, pillows, mattress protectors and associated bedding products. This website offers invaluable advice on the most appropriate bedding available for children.

Children just love the feel of the soft light-weight, hypoallergenic Spundown Duvets. Mums love them too, for this is the award winning duvet that just loves to be washed, time and time again. For summer the 3.0 tog Pure Cotton Duvet is a popular choice of children’s duvet as it will help your child maintain a regular temperature on warm summer nights.

The polyester hollow-fibre filling of the Anti Allergy Duvets and Pillows contain material in which house dust mites cannot live, thus playing a major role in helping to relieve allergies caused by them. Alternatively, the Anti Allergy Duvet, Pillow and Mattress Protectors all provide an effective barrier between your child and the dust mites and their allergens.

Pure Living Collection also offers some pillows with slightly less filling and therefore perfect for smaller shoulders, whilst waterproof mattress protectors offer their mattresses protection against those all too common accidents and spills.

Web: www.purelivingcollection.com

Creating Positive Change: Caring, professional, solution-focused help

Can your child benefit from:

• Developing inner resilience?
• Overcoming anxiety and nervousness?
• Building their confidence?
• Having more capacity/motivation for learning?

As an experienced NLP4Kids Practitioner, Cognitive Hypnotherapist & Coach, I provide practical tools and solution-focused help for children and teenagers (age 10 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 you are very welcome to get in touch to find out more. I'll be happy to help.

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

Bespoke Touch-Typing Holiday Courses for Children of all Abilities

With 20 years of experience Yvonne Thomas delivers touch typing holiday courses where each child is taught as an individual, recognizing their needs and abilities, enabling them to learn a new skill or continue to improve their skills to help them grow in confidence and increase their self-belief.

Yvonne offers structured touch-typing classes with working memory exercises to develop muscle memory and increase speed.

The courses run for 2 weeks, with 9 hours of tuition spread over 3 days, then children are given individual online exercises to work on at home, this work is remotely monitored by Yvonne. At the end of the course a detailed report of their progress and recommendations is sent to their parents.

• New students learn to touch-type without looking at the keyboard
• Intermediate students will continue to improve their skills by correcting any bad habits and improve accuracy and speed.
• Focus, speed, self-esteem and exam pass rates are all improved
• Bespoke group holiday courses can also be arranged by request
• Students are able to use touch-typing in exams and have improved their pass rate considerably.
• One to One tuition for children with dyslexia and special needs

Holistically developed life skill touch-typing classes in Maidenhead tailored to benefit all learners.

Are you struggling to find the help you need for your child?

As a qualified doctor with twenty years’ experience in the NHS, Kerry has developed a deep understanding of medical and psychological issues.

Trained in clinical hypnotherapy and a variety of psychotherapeutic approaches, including Mindfulness, CBT, Solution-focused therapy, coaching and EMDR, Kerry creates bespoke holistic therapy solutions. She is skilled in helping children and teenagers to master their own emotional, behavioural and medical problems.

Email or call Kerry to find out more.

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.