Come to our talk!

Many of you will be aware of Jane Horwood's exceptional skills in the diagnosis and treatment of sensory integration disorders.

Jane has worked with many schools to set up facilities and programs that help children with sensory problems. For many years she has run private therapy sessions in Peterborough that many of our children have benefited from.

At the family level she offers support and advice in overcoming difficult situations, such as interventions and therapies to reduce challenging behavior. More importantly she helps parents and professionals to gain an understanding of the sensory problems that may trigger such behavior.


She has given many presentations for us in the past, but this may be your last chance to experience her if she carries out her threat to retire next year.

The talk is on Wednesday 16th November from 9.30am to 2.30pm. This time we are using a new venue, Brampton Memorial Hall, and we will be providing lunch.

To book, please phone 01480 429618 or e-mail huntspcf@ntlworld.com and be sure to leave us a phone number so we can contact you quickly.

If you are a parent or carer, the fee is only £3.00. If you are a professional then the fee is £50.

Attendance by parent/carers at this event has been sponsored by Grassroots Grants, which is managed by Cambridgeshire Community Foundation.

Fun on a swing!

 Jane Crittenden has a son who loves to swing; and I mean REALLY swing! Take a look at the video.

The swing is a TP Giant Triple. It looks great to me, so, if you have a child who really needs to swing, Jane recommends this model.

National Autism Society Newsletter and Autism Show June 24-25

"Like everyone else, I was deeply upset by the BBC Panorama investigation into abuse of vulnerable adults living at Winterbourne View, a private hospital in Bristol. Over 6,000 of you signed our petition calling on the Government to take action. Thank you. Simple actions such as this really do help to change things for the better for people with autism.

On 27 June we are launching our new campaign, Great Expectations, to highlight the huge challenges and frustrations that parents and children face within the current education system. The Government's special educational needs (SEN) and disability reforms will shape the future of a generation of children with autism. This is our opportunity to make sure they get it right".

You can support the campaign on 27 June by telling your MP why they must take action. For this, and other great ways to get involved, visit www.autism.org.uk/campaign

With my best wishes as always,

Jane Asher

President, The National Autistic Society

On June 24-25, The National Autistic Society will be a headline partner at The Autism Show, the UK's first national event dedicated to autism for parents, carers, professionals and people on the autism spectrum.


For the price of a £9 ticket you can access a huge range of in-depth discussions, practical workshops, interactive seminars, professional one-to-one consultations, as well as over 50 suppliers of specialist products and services.

Highlights will include:

• The Autism Matters theatre, which will feature presentations from leading professionals, advocates, clinicians and people on the autism spectrum. Highlights include talks from Rt Hon John Bercow MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, Jane Asher, President of The National Autistic Society and Anna Kennedy, founder of Hillingdon Autistic Care and Support and the Daily Mail Inspirational Woman of the Year. Topics will include Transitions in Education, Autism in the Workplace, Navigating the Statementing Process, Sensory Perception Difficulties and Demystifying ABA.

• The Workplace theatre, offering interactive sessions covering issues such as Supporting People to Reach Their Full Potential, Managing Challenging Behaviour, State Benefits and Allowances, Transition from Residential Care to Supported Living, Promoting Vocal Communication and Ensuring Proper Provision at a time of Cuts.

• Autism Talks, in association with ARM, hosting enlightening presentations from people on the autism spectrum.

• The Autistica Research Zone, where you can learn about the latest research developments in autism and discover how you might be able to help.

• The Communication Matters Zone, where you can discover methods of communication which can be used to supplement the more usual methods of speech and writing. Suppliers belonging to the Communication Matters organisation will be exhibiting in this dedicated area.

• One-to-one clinics where professionals including Speech and Language Therapists, Educational Psychologists, Behaviour Analysts, Occupational Therapists, State Benefit Advisers and Legal Advisers will be available for 20-minute consultations.

A special photographic exhibition called One in Ten will be showing at the event. This exhibition will display ten photographs of people with a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism. Each image is accompanied by text written by their parents describing how they came to be diagnosed and how their autism affects them. The photographs were taken by Katye Brimacombe who has a 15-year-old son with Down syndrome and autism.

The Autism Show has been specifically designed around the needs of visitors on the autism spectrum, with fast track entry, extra wide aisles, high ceilings, dimmed lighting, clear signage, and a sensory room and quiet room specially created by Mike Ayres Design.

NAS members receive a discounted advance ticket price of £8. Contact our membership team to become an NAS member and receive the discount code. Please note tickets are not available directly from the NAS membership team.

Group discounts are also available for bookings of 10 people or more.

Book your ticket today and save 25% off the door price.

You can get the full newsletter by contacting newsletter@nas-autism.org.uk

Stay in touch with The National Autistic Society: follow us on Twitter, watch us on YouTube or join our Facebook group.

The National Autistic Society, registered office: 393 City Road, London, EC1V 1NG, United Kingdom.

Tel: +44 (0)20 7833 2299, Fax: +44 (0)20 7833 9666, Email: nas@nas.org.uk

MOBILITY ROADSHOW 2011

- NEWS UPDATE

Not long to go now until this year's Mobility Roadshow at the East of England Showground, Peterborough, and as always we have a fantastic line-up of exhibitors and events for our visitors.Come and meet Derek Derenalagi, one of the British soldiers who provided inspiration for the birth of the charity Help for Heroes – who officially opens the show on 30th June. Plus on Saturday 2nd July – National Young Disabled Persons’ Day – we welcome local celebrities David Proud and Julie Fernandez.

Full details are on the Mobility Roadshow website at http://www.mobilityroadshow.co.uk/ where you can also find out the latest news from exhibitors to help you plan your visit. As well as an outstanding showcase of mobility products and services, advice and information from over 150 exhibitors, the Roadshow offers a fantastic array of activities, experiences and ideas for an active lifestyle. Check out these options while visiting the show:

• See new concepts and products being shown in the UK for the first time.




• Test drive a range of adapted and specialist vehicles. NEW FOR 2011: dedicated WAVs test drive zone




• Meet expert conversion and adaptation specialists who can advise on your particular needs




• Try out scooters, wheelchairs & trikes for safety & comfort




• Go off-road with all-terrain wheelchairs and buggies




• Enjoy the Cyclefest - handcycles, trikes and companion cycling for everyone




• Try your hand at archery, laser clays, 4x4 experience, adapted go-karts, giant-scale Scalextric or Nintendo Wii




• Participate in a variety of sports, dance and fitness activities in the Sports Arena




• See how far you can go on the accessible climbing wall




• Encourage the children to take part in the ‘Go Kids Go’ wheelchair skills training sessions

Plus some exciting new features for the show:

• Mobility Information Service (MIS ) – providing a central hub of mobility advice and information, plus ‘Meet the Expert’ sessions on a range of topics

• Design Zone – an open forum where visitors, designers and innovators can exchange views on the design of products for the mobility market, plus gain expert advice: come and have YOUR say

• Launch of our Photography Competition in partnership with the Disabled Photographers’ SocietyAnd as always, it’s a free event!

Click here to register for your free tickets.

We look forward to welcoming you to the show. JACQUI JONESExecutive Director, Mobility Choice Crowthorne Office: 0845 241 0390

MOBILITY ROADSHOW 2011: 30th June, 1st & 2nd July , East of England Showground, Peterborough

Mobility Choice (Registered in England & Wales) Crowthorne House, Nine Mile Ride, Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 3GA (Company No. 3501190 Registered Charity No. 1068018)Mobility Roadshow Ltd (Registered in England & Wales) Crowthorne House, Nine Mile Ride, Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 3GA (Company No.3596221 VAT No. GB-733458819) A wholly owned subsidiary of Mobility Choice. Tel 0845 241 0390 Fax 0845 241 2136 email choice@gtnet.gov.uk website http://inventivenet.co.uk/link.php?M=140829&N=360&L=13&F=H

A Right Royal Affair

Its time to enjoy a bit of Bank Holiday fun. Since I have no news from the Forum this month, I've posted an event that some of you attended.

Our son Dan had his 17th birthday party on Sunday. As this was the week-end of the Royal Wedding the theme just had to be "A Right Royal Garden Party". We spent ages preparing props and costumes while Nick and Gabby made the invitations, but all the same, there was an awful lot to do at the last minute.

Having sprayed all the garden furniture gold and decorated the house and garden with flags and pictures, we all thought Sunday morning would be pretty easy: No pressure. The bouncy castle would arrive at 9 am and then Hanna planned a cooking session to make fairy cakes and that sort of thing, so we would have an easy run-up to the party which was to begin at 13.00 hours, precisely. All that I had to do was put copies of "The Tatler", "The Field" and "Horse and Hound" in the downstairs loo (Royal Privy, Royal Flush or Royal Wee?)

The huge bouncy castle duly arrived but it wouldn't fit in our garden, so the men took it away again! Now our plans lay torn to shreds at our feet. Hanna started phoning around for alternatives while we thought about what to do instead. Boules? (Lethal if you get one in the head). Croquet? (Have you seen what a croquet mallet can do?) Archery?? Perhaps not.

In desperation Hanna phoned the guys back and pleaded with them. They agreed to return in 30 minutes if we removed our rockery first. I have a bad back so my job was to manage Dan while Nick, Gabby and Hanna armed themselves with implements and plant pots and leveled the site, just in time.While all this was going on Dan was frantically signing to me. His sign was stroking his cheek which means "Pretty Lady".

Almost immediately, three very pretty girls on bicycles appeared at the door. They were Sophie, Kathryn and Holly and they were the answer to Dan's prayers and mine. I set them to work moving plants and laundry; the reward was to be a bounce on the castle.The rest of the guests arrived as expected between 1 and 2 pm. Dan mugged them all for presents on the way in, but didn't actually join in the party until he was sure they were all here and that he had extracted all the goodies. After that we settled down for a lovely party in the garden for the rest of the afternoon.

If you are still with me at this point you may be asking, "What happened to the Royal Garden Party theme"? Needless to say, based on past experience, we were all wondering what to expect from our neighbours, The Lambtons. They generally raise the bar when it comes to dressing up so we spent a lot of hours trying to guess what they would do: Security Men? Royal Family? Politicians? In the past it's been Star Wars, Super Heroes and Pirates.

This time it turned out to be "Nuns and Vicars" (Typical!) At least it wasn't "Vicars and Tarts" again. Actually they were supposed to be "Nuns and Bishops" but they were all out of bishops' frocks and Nigel had to come as a cardinal. (If you thought he was the nun, you obviously spent too long at sea!) If you are really current with the news you will know that nuns are HOT! There's a big debate about one of the nuns caught on video at the royal wedding who looked pretty fit and was wearing Reeboks. 'Word is that she is a "Ninja Nun" and head of security at Westminster Abbey, or possibly the head of MI6.

So how did we combat the Lambton challenge? Hanna out-trumped everyone by coming as HM Elizabeth II and I headed up the overseas VIP list as a Middle Eastern Ambassador, complete with sinister shades and a red fez which I sewed myself. I also sell rude post cards if you are interested.

We were so pleased to see so many people turn out for the party. The youngsters were a delight and they were so well behaved that Hanna and I managed to chat to all the grown ups. All of the presents were appropriate for Dan and so, thanks to Hanna, was the food; lovely cakes, jellies and ice-creams, all made without sugar.

Nick and Gabby did a fantastic job of decorating the house and acting as kitchen staff and waiters throughout. I think we might do it again next year.

I have enjoyed looking through our photos. A lot of them were taken on the iPod using a retro-style camera application.

You can see all of my pictures by clicking HERE and the Lambtons' pictures by clicking HERE.

Seminar for Parents

The Parent Partnership Service Roadshow is coming to St Neots on Wednesday March 16th 2011.

The event is FREE and runs from 9.30am to 12.30pm at the Priory Centre.

The topics are :

• Annual Review of Statements
• Overview of Dyslexia
• Cyber Bullying
• Parenting Programmes

You have to chose which two you will attend.

I can't find any information on the PPS website so, if you are interested contact them as soon as possible.

Contact Bob Wilson 01223 699211 or e-mail: ppsadmin@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Sleep Solutions Workshop. January 18th 2011

It is estimated that 85% of children and young people with additional needs also have sleep difficulties. This can present in a number of different ways from night waking to issues with settling. Sleep deprivation can have a huge impact on the child’s level of functioning making it difficult to concentrate in school and often leading to behavioural problems. Lack of sleep can lead many parents into crisis resulting in them feeling exhausted.

Scope’s Sleep Solutions workshop provides innovative training, written by a trained Sleep Practitioner and endorsed by Sleep Scotland. The aim is early intervention and prevention through raising awareness of good sleep practice and basic strategies for parents during discussions with time to share ideas and resources.

This one day sleep workshop includes:

p Effects on the Whole Family p Why is Your Child not Sleeping?

p Keeping a Sleep Diary p The Bedroom Environment,

p A Good Bedtime Routine p Night Awakenings

p Useful Resources

Tuesday 18^th January 2011

The Meadows Community Centre,

St Catharine’s Road, Cambridge CB4 3XJ

9.30am to 2.30pm

For more information and to book your place contact Vicki on 0771 4853763 or email vicki@face2facenetwork.org.uk

For more information visit: www.sleepsolutions.org.uk