Quotes and Testimonials

I recommend the group when I do 1 to 1 home visits with parents explaining how they can get ongoing help and support from other parents as and when issues crop up e.g. things around obtaining a formal diagnosis, often needed by children′s services when trying to decide the level of support needed, and things to include in ESCC statements of special educational need, often point them in the direction of obtaining info about clubs and so on.

I find Special Parent's an invaluable support network. It gives me the opportunity to meet with other parents in a similar situation who are often experiencing the same issues as me. No one can quite understand what it is like to have a child with special needs or a disability, unless they have walked in the same shoes.

I started coming to the group because I felt alone in having to deal with the problems in bringing up a special needs child. I needed support in how to deal with the problems, a shoulder to cry on and a friendly ear. This group has given me so much more. I have made new friends that totally understand the situation, it has given me the ability to relax and hear what other people are going through and made me realise I am not the only one going through it. The group has also given me a reason to step outside my house and go to a place that no one will judge you by what you say or do or wear. I thank Rachel for setting up this group that has given me such a lifeline.

This group was started by a member of the children′s centre staff who handed it over to me so that I could develop it further. I was keen to do this as I felt it was so important for parents to be there for each other and share advice and support. I felt so alone when my daughter was first diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and felt lost in a system that was too busy and too formal to give me day to day support and advice. Whilst there are professionals out there that can give medical advice nothing can compare to speaking to other parents that have been in the same position and understand what you are going through. A friendly chat in a relaxing environment often makes so much difference and helps me feel that I am not alone and there are people there for me.
The group has now developed further and we now offer a crèche and regular guest speakers and are planning networking evenings for the parents and trips for the families.