Children with Additional Needs

Over the past few years, I have completed my MSc in Psychology. My research explored school disruption, stress, and coping in adolescents from parents’ perspectives. What it confirmed was that school disruption is rarely just about education. It unsettles safety, identity, and wellbeing, and families often carry the emotional labour when systems don’t quite fit their child. This understanding continues to shape how I support parents with calm, thoughtful, non-judgmental guida

When our children’s big feelings collide with our own, even the calmest parent can feel overwhelmed. I still remember the day I had to step away, two toddlers screaming, my chest tight, and no calm left to give. Co-regulation doesn’t always look perfect; sometimes it begins with admitting we’re drowning. But it’s in the repair, the reconnecting, that children learn safety, resilience and connection.

Discover why everyday demands can feel overwhelming for autistic children with a PDA profile. Learn how anxiety, not defiance, drives avoidance, and explore calm, connection-based strategies to support your child and yourself.

By Kelly Hutton Mathematical understanding is much more than just counting or adding up... but how is it? For many parents, me included, the word maths may bring a small internal sign, memories of confusing worksheets or lessons that made it feel like a secret code only a few could understand. It's a life skill which quietly shapes how we navigate the world, from budgeting our weekly shop and comparing energy bills, to understanding data, time, and even making confident caree

In a world of ChatGPT, Spelling Shed, and Sparx Maths, technology can make learning smarter — but only if we keep the human connection at its heart. This post explores how to use AI wisely in home education, from crafting effective prompts to navigating the “algorithmic forest,” and how simple digital detoxes can help families stay grounded, connected, and fully present while embracing the best of both worlds.

Disruptive behaviour isn’t a sign of bad parenting, it’s your child’s way of communicating unmet needs. From toddler tantrums to teenage door slams, behaviour is often a signal of frustration, fear, or a craving for connection. Whole Needs Parenting encourages us to look beneath the behaviour, stay curious, and respond with empathy. When we understand what’s really going on, we move from firefighting to building stronger, calmer connections.

Talking with children about difficult topics — from illness to troubling world events — is never easy. But research shows that when parents speak with their children, not at them, it builds trust, resilience, and understanding. Using approaches inspired by doctors, this blog offers practical steps to start honest, gentle conversations. You are not alone — our community and 1:1 family support are here to help.