{"id":72661,"date":"2025-07-17T16:52:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T15:52:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/?page_id=72661"},"modified":"2026-05-15T11:17:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T10:17:55","slug":"for-parents","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/for-parents\/","title":{"rendered":"For parents"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t
\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\n

Information on some of the common challenges you might face as a parent of a disabled child. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sense offers free support<\/strong> for disabled children and young people with complex needs up to the age of 25<\/a> at home, in school or college, or at one of our centres.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

\n
\n\n

Support guides<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\t
\t\t
\n\n\t
\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n \"A\n <\/figure>\n \n
\n

\n \n SEND: Special educational needs and disabilities\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n
\n Guidance<\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\tThis guide covers the support system in England for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\n
\n
\n \"Charlotte,\n <\/figure>\n \n
\n

\n \n How to get an EHCP: Advice from a parent who\u2019s been through it\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n
\n Talking Sense blog<\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\tGetting 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.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\n
\n
\n \"Child\n <\/figure>\n \n
\n

\n \n Benefits and financial help for parents of disabled children\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n
\n Guidance<\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\tThis page gives a brief overview of the financial support for parents of disabled children in the UK.\u00a0\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\n
\n
\n \"A\n <\/figure>\n \n
\n

\n \n Social care support for disabled children\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n
\n Guidance<\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\tChildren and young people with complex needs can receive support from social workers based in local authorities.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\n
\n
\n \"Fernando,\n <\/figure>\n \n
\n

\n \n What to expect from your council if you’re deafblind\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n
\n Guidance<\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\tCouncils in England and Wales must follow guidance on how to provide services for children and adults who are deafblind.\u00a0\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\n
\n
\n \"A\n <\/figure>\n \n
\n

\n \n How to support your disabled child in their early years\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n
\n Guidance<\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\tThe first years of a child\u2019s life can be a steep learning curve for parents. If your child has complex needs, that curve can be even steeper.\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\n
\n
\n \"A\n <\/figure>\n \n
\n

\n \n How to play with your disabled child\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n
\n Guidance<\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\tThis guide explains why play is so important, and gives you lots of fun ideas for ways children with complex needs can enjoy playing.\u00a0\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\n
\n
\n \"Jamie\n <\/figure>\n \n
\n

\n \n Learning disabilities\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n
\n Guidance<\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\tA 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.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\n
\n
\n \"Close-up\n <\/figure>\n \n
\n

\n \n Challenging behaviour\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n
\n Guidance<\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\tThis 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.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

Learning modules<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\t
\t\t
\n\n\t
\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n \"A\n <\/figure>\n \n
\n

\n \n How to support an autistic child\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n
\n Toolkit<\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\tAutism comes with its challenges, this blog will help with mechanisms to support you navigate some of those challenges.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\n
\n
\n \"\"\n <\/figure>\n \n
\n

\n \n How to communicate with a child who has CHARGE syndrome\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n
\n Toolkit<\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n\t\t\tThis blog provides practical strategies for communicating with a child with CHARGE syndrome.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n\n

Helpful resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n

Template letters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n