Additional needs you may come across
ADHD primarily presents as difficulties with attention and concentration. People with ADHD benefit from lots of opportunities to move, a fidget in their hands when listening, and a chance to engage in more than one way (eg act it out, draw a picture). Find out more from the ADHD Foundation.
Anxiety is a feeling we all get in a situation that is threatening or difficult. When this feeling becomes overwhelming or stops us doing everyday activities, it can manifest as an anxiety disorder. These can have a range of psychological and physical symptoms including restlessness, dread, dizziness, and heart palpitations. Find out more from Young Minds.
Attachment Disorder can occur following difficulty with gaining a secure bond with our primary caregiver. There are two main types of attachment disorder – an inhibited form where an individual does not expect care or comfort and a disinhibited form that can result in excessive overfamiliarity, even with strangers. Find out more from The ARC (Attachment Research Community).
Autism impacts individuals' social interaction and communication. Often individuals with autism may find loud noise, different textures and busy environments difficult. You can help by giving a clear schedule of what is happening when and breaks in-between tasks. Find out more from the National Autistic Society.
Cerebral Palsy (CP) involves difficulty controlling movement. Someone with CP may appear to be stiff or have involuntary movements in part of their body. You can enable people to move at their own pace. Communication difficulties don’t mean someone doesn’t understand - we can look for alternatives to speech for communication. Find out more from Cerebral Palsy UK.
Cystic Fibrosis affects a gene that controls the movement of water and salt in and out of cells. It leads to a build-up of thick sticky mucus in the lungs, digestive system and other organs, causing a wide range of challenging symptoms affecting the entire body. Find out more from the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
Depression may mean that individuals feel persistently low in mood, experience feelings of hopelessness and may even have thoughts of ending their life. Tearfulness, poor concentration, poor energy, disturbed sleep and no longer enjoying hobbies are often common symptoms. Find out more from Young Minds.
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) or Dyspraxia is a difficulty with movement that impacts children’s ability to participate in everyday activities such as washing, writing, using cutlery, getting dressed and organising their belongings. Find out more from the Dyspraxia Association.
Down's Syndrome is caused by having an extra chromosome. People with Down’s Syndrome tend to have a learning disability, some speech difficulties, and may find physical activities challenging due to the way their muscles work. Find out more from the Down's Syndrome Association.
Eating disorders can lead to physical health problems and difficulty participating day to day. Anorexia Nervosa is characterised by a fear of being overweight that leads to restriction of eating and other habits such as over-exercising. Bulimia Nervosa is an illness that involves cycles of binge eating too much food and then purging (eg vomiting). Find out more from Taste Life UK.
Hearing loss or deafness happens when one or more parts of the ear aren’t working effectively. In the UK, half of deaf children are born deaf and the other half develop deafness during childhood. Children who experience hearing loss may use hearing aids, implants and sign language to help their communication. Find out more from the National Deaf Children's Society.
Learning difficulties, such as Dyslexia and Dyscalculia can impact the way that individuals process information and record it. Specific strategies, such as tinted overlays and clear visual and written instructions can be helpful. Find out more from the British Dyslexia Association.
Learning disabilities affect the way someone learns, communicates, or does some everyday things. Some people may not need lots of help, others may need support for things like following directions, finding their way from place to place, and using the toilet. Find out more from Mencap.
Vision impairment describes any kind of vision loss, this can be complete blindness or partial vision loss. Clear contrasting colours, large print text, use of objects, guide dogs and other aids can be beneficial for individuals with visual impairment. Find out more from the Royal National Institute for the Blind.