For parents

Information on some of the common challenges you might face as a parent of a disabled child.

Sense offers free support for disabled children and young people with complex needs up to the age of 25 at home, in school or college, or at one of our centres.

Support guides

A girl is supported by a smiling support worker during a pumpkin-painting activity.

SEND: Special educational needs and disabilities

Guidance
This guide covers the support system in England for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Charlotte, a young girl wearing dungarees, sitting in the Sense TouchBase Pears playroom holding a maraca.

How to get an EHCP: Advice from a parent who’s been through it

Talking Sense blog
Getting an EHCP in place for your child can be a long road. Here, Vanessa shares a bit about how she did it, and her advice for other parents.
Child high-fives an older woman

Benefits and financial help for parents of disabled children

Guidance
This page gives a brief overview of the financial support for parents of disabled children in the UK. 
A little boy playing with a brush.

Social care support for disabled children

Guidance
Children and young people with complex needs can receive support from social workers based in local authorities.
Fernando, a man wearing sunglasses and laughing while holding the hands of another person he is communicating with.

What to expect from your council if you’re deafblind

Guidance
Councils in England and Wales must follow guidance on how to provide services for children and adults who are deafblind. 
A boy sits on the floor looking at a football

How to support your disabled child in their early years

Guidance
The first years of a child’s life can be a steep learning curve for parents. If your child has complex needs, that curve can be even steeper.
A little girl turns away from her painting to smile at the camera

How to play with your disabled child

Guidance
This guide explains why play is so important, and gives you lots of fun ideas for ways children with complex needs can enjoy playing. 
Jamie smiling, with a guitar in his lap, next to his friend Mel.

Learning disabilities

Guidance
A learning disability is different for everyone. No two people are the same. This page is an introductory guide to help you understand different learning disabilities.
Close-up of four children's feet standing on coloured circles on the floor.

Challenging behaviour

Guidance
This phrase describes behaviour that poses a challenge to caregivers. Find out more about what “challenging behaviour” is and how to manage it in a positive way.

Learning modules

A woman plays with a young girl

How to support an autistic child

Toolkit
Autism comes with its challenges, this blog will help with mechanisms to support you navigate some of those challenges.

How to communicate with a child who has CHARGE syndrome

Toolkit
This blog provides practical strategies for communicating with a child with CHARGE syndrome.

Speak to our team

Our information and advice team are on hand to talk to you and answer your questions about support Sense offers.