For Parents & Carers
Most parents who find their way here are somewhere in the middle of something. A new diagnosis, a school that's not coping, a child who seems to be struggling in ways that are hard to name. (Some of you have been in the middle of it for a while.) We've put these sheets together to give you something useful to read when the questions start stacking up. Not everything will land, but something might.
Understanding Sensory Processing
Sensory processing is how the brain takes in, organises, and responds to information from the senses, including sound, sight, touch, smell, taste, movement, and body awareness.
Most people have a sensory profile that falls within a typical range. Some children experience sensory input more intensely or less intensely than others, which can influence how they respond to everyday environments.
Understanding Specific Learning Disorders
A Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person learns and processes information about reading, writing, or mathematics. It’s not caused by low intelligence, laziness, or poor parenting. At this stage, there is no definitive cause to explain SLD but it is likely that a combination of genetic, developmental, and environmental factors may contribute to it. Many people with SLD are intelligent, creative, and capable but their brain processes information differently. The difficulties are usually ongoing and can make school, work, or everyday tasks much harder to manage.
Understanding ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or previously known as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a developmental condition that begins in early childhood. With persistent symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, it changes the way the brain manages concentration, emotions, impulses, organisation, and motivation.