Page 49 - SEN107 SEN Magazine July-August 2020
P. 49

senmagazine.co.uk  SEN  107  49  I always thought that I would slot into being a parent without   too much of a struggle, as I had experience as a primary   school teacher. However, being responsible for all areas of   the development of my children was a heavy burden. This was   made more challenging by having three children who needed   additional educational and emotional support in comparison to   their peer group. Dyslexia had a big impact on the education   of my two boys, my eldest son had undiagnosed ADHD and   my daughter attended a specialist school. She was diagnosed   with Global Developmental Delay at the age of 18 months, and   it is a lifelong learning disability. Her diagnosis was a turning   point for me as a parent.    The early years of parenting were challenging and lonely. I   managed, but now I know how much easier my life would   have been had I known the support of other families like   ours, people who truly understood what I was experiencing.  Education was a big challenge. I was often met in the playground   regarding emotionally difficult behaviour at school, and I learnt   that what happens at school does not always need addressing   at home and that our long term relationship as a family was   much more important. At one point our children were in three   different schools, in three different local authorities, and at   three SENCOs. It was almost a full time job, but fortunately   our children attended supportive schools. The key is that both   the parents and the school recognise the expertise of the   other. I can highly recommend local SENDIASS (every local   authority will have one) who so brilliantly support parents and   carers who are finding it hard navigating the education system.  In 2006, when all three children were ‘settled’ at school, I set   up a charity called Parenting Special Children (PSC), providing   families of children and young people with SEND specialist   parenting support. The first time that I attended a specialist   SEND course I felt I had come home, and that ‘I wasn’t a bad   parent’. In the last fourteen years that has been a common   refrain as well as ‘I no longer feel so alone’ from the families   who have come on Parenting Special Children courses. All   of our courses are delivered by facilitators with a background   in education, health and social care, but the most important   aspect for parents is that we are parents of children and young   people with SEND, which means that we get it!   I have learnt so much as a parent through learning about   SEND, from parents on courses and workshops, and the   community that we have at Parenting Special Children who   share the joys and challenges of being a parent of a child or   young person with special needs.  Fourteen years later, Parenting Special Children have provided   specialist SEND support to thousands of families. During   Covid-19 lockdown we have supported over 900 families   through PSC helpline and online workshops. My own family   is thriving and I am grateful for life’s experiences which have   made me a more compassionate person and definitely a more   confident parent.   Point of view: parent  Embracing being a parent of   children with special needs  About the author  Ruth Pearse   is a parent and the   founder and CEO of Parenting   Special Children.  parentingspecialchildren.  co.uk      @PSCRuth      linkedin.com/in/ruth-  pearse-0087723  I can highly recommend local   SENDIASS (every local authority   will have one) who so brilliantly   support parents and carers who   are finding it hard navigating the   education system  What’s your point of view?  Email   editor@senmagazine.co.uk  Point of view


































































































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