Parenting a child with additional needs is additionally difficult. Many parents need help, guidance and support throughout their child’s school years. Some of the issues that parents need help with include getting or amending a statement of special educational needs, dealing with challenging behaviour, accessing the help of other professionals (speech therapy, physiotherapy etc), family difficulties, financial worries, help with benefit application, planning for the move to Further Education post 16 years of age and many, many more.

 

The school has staff who are experienced in providing help and guidance in these areas and Sue Anderton, Assistant Headteacher is especially designated to provide Family Support. If you find yourself in need of help and support, contact your child’s class teacher in the first instance and if unable to answer your question, s/he will pass your query onto Sue. Sue will work with you to find a solution and has a good knowledge of local support groups which may also be able to offer the help and guidance that you need.

 

Sue has many years experience of working with children with additional needs and their families and has written a specialist parenting course called the MAZE. 

 

 

 

The MAZE is aimed at parents of children aged between 5-12 years, who have (or have sought) a diagnosis for an additional need. The course is structured over 12 weeks and has been co-authored by Sue Anderton, (Assistant Head teacher, Market Field School) and the Children with Learning Disabilities service, NE Essex PCT. There are also sessions delivered by supporting professionals, such as specialist OT, specialist autism teacher, speech therapist and also by experienced parents. Additionally, there is support and involvement by other local agencies such as Autism Anglia, Children’s Legal Centre and Spectrum. A key strength of the programme is the multi-agency delivery and support for parents. 

 

 

The topics covered are outlined below:

 

Session 1:   Introduction

Session 2:   Play

Session 3:   Sensory Play

Session 4:   Communication

Session 5:   Social stories

Session 6:   Lifestyle issues (sleep, continence, diet)

Session 7:   Praise and rewards

Session 8:   Limit setting and Consequences

Session 9:   Behaviour Management

Session 10: Wheel of Child Development

Session 11:   What about me? Building resiliency

Session 12: Moving on

 

On completion of the course and the evaluation of it, parents report a marked improvement in their relationship with their child and 100% of participants expressed an improvement in their ability to cope with their child. Furthermore, 90% of parents rate the parenting programme very highly in meeting their needs and expectations.

 

The MAZE runs every term and there are up to 12 places available each term. If you are interested in the course, please contact Sue at school either by phone or you can email Sue at: