Resources for Families
In this section, we have collated a number of resources on topics that our families have told us they would like easy access to. These have been developed by the Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) in the Mid-West and by other agencies. You will be able to see who developed each one on each link. We have also listed some relevant websites as a means of signposting for families to other services that can support them.
Information about the Progressing Children’s Disability Services
The vision for children’s disability services is:
- Easy access to the services children need
- Fairness in providing service
- Families, health services and schools working together to support children in developing their potential
To find out more about the Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (PDS) Programme, please Click Here.
Information about Children’s Disability Network Teams
You can find out more about Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) Services – Click Here
If you wish to find out which CDNT aligns to your home address – Click Here
Leaflet about CDNT – Click Here
Information about the Individual Family Support Plan
You can learn more about the CDNT Individual Family Support Plan (IFSP) and how to prepare for it – Click Here or Watch Here
Information on Community Access
Find your nearest Family Resource Centre – Click Here
North Tipperary Community Access Pack – updated November 2023 – Click Here
Limerick Community Access Pack for School aged children – updated April 2018 – Click Here
Resource Centers Limerick and Surrounding Area – Added March 2024 – Click Here , also Click Here
Information about Benefits and Entitlements
The following links provide information on:
- Disability Allowance
- Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA)
- Carers’ Allowance
- Incapacitated Tax Credit
- Home Carer Tax Credit
- VAT Refunds on Aids and Appliances
- Housing Adaptation Grant
AsIAm link to financial supports/entitlements & You tube Videos: Click Here
Enable Ireland in Navan/Slane has also developed a booklet on Benefits and Entitlements: Click Here
Dublin South, Kildare, West Wicklow, CDNT have developed a comprehensive site for all benefits and Entitlements: Click Here
Information about Housing can be found at Citizen’s Information – Click Here
Information Relating to School
National Council for Special Education – Click Here
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) was set up to improve the delivery of education services to persons with special educational needs arising from disabilities with particular emphasis on children. The NCSE will promote a continuum of educational provision which is inclusive and responsive, and provides an appropriate education for children and adults with special educational needs. They will do this by providing supports to schools; advice to educators, parents and guardians; undertaking and disseminating research into special education; and by providing policy advice to the Minister for Education and Skills on special education issues.
NCSE List of Special Classes in Mainstream Schools September 2023 – Click Here
NCSE School Information Map – Click Here
National Educational Psychology Service – Click Here
The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) is the psychological service of the Department of Education and provides educational psychological support to primary, post-primary and special schools in Ireland. The focus of the NEPS Casework Service is to use a consultative, problem-solving approach to promote better understanding of the child or young person’s strengths and needs, to suggest interventions that may be helpful to include in the Student Support Plan, and to assist schools to implement, monitor and review those interventions. This work is done in partnership with school staff, parents and the child or young person themselves. The focus of the NEPS Support & Development Service is to help enhance school systems, to maximise a whole-school approach to creating school environments that are inclusive, flexible and responsive to the needs of all and to build school capability to provide evidence-informed prevention and early intervention support as part of the Continuum of Support framework. This work also includes supporting schools to respond to Critical Incidents.
Starting School
Recorded Webinar by a Special Educational Needs Officer (SENO) from the NCSE, supported by one of the CDNT in the Mid-West 2023- Click Here
Resources for Families
Get Set for School Resource – March 2024 – Click Here
Occupational Therapy Resource Pack for Primary Schools – October 2014 – Click Here
Good Practice Guideline on Autism for Schools – Click Here
NCSE Movement Breaks in the Classroom: A Resource for Post Primary Schools – Click Here
Information about Play and Development
Play helps children to develop and learn.
Playing with your child lets them know that you love them. It lets them know they’re important and they’re fun to be around.
You can build a strong relationship with your child through playing with them. This can help their long-term mental health in a positive way.
Your child Learning through Play: Click Here
HSE Learning To Talk Series: Click Here
Barnardos Booklet on Outdoor Play Matters – Click Here
EI Smart Resources to Support Infant Development (available in multiple languages) – Click Here
Information about Neurodiversity
Enable Ireland have developed videos to cover topics frequently encountered, including the following: – Click Here
· Neuro-affirmative support for interaction and communication: i.e. double empathy problem, multimodal and total communication, “Gestalt” language learning
· Impact of Sensory Processing on Social Interactions, including regulating sensory systems & adapting environments
· Developing Self-Advocacy Skills: importance of self-advocacy, expressing needs and preferences, and self-advocacy from a Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) perspective
· Perspective Taking: understanding relationships, communication styles and repairing breakdowns
· Practical Strategies for enhancing social understanding and communication, including use of visuals, social stories and comic strip conversations
Enable Ireland: Enable Conversations Podcast: Episode 2 Explore neurodivergence with Dr. Lhara Mullins – Click Here
Information about Cycling a Bicycle
Learning to Cycle A Bike – Added March 2024 – Click Here
Information about Sleep
Sleep Hygiene for children with Autism – Added March 2024 – Click Here
Sleep Kit – Click Here
Sleep Charity – Click Here and their Welcome to the World of Sleep Pack – Click Here
Sleep Action Website – Click Here
Podcasts on Sleep:
Tara Vernon- Promotion of Sleep- Middletown Podcast – Click Here
Debbie Spain and Tasos Galanopoulos-Sleep- Middletown Podcast – Click Here
Information about Puberty
Guide for Child’s Journey through Puberty – Click Here
Information about Behaviour and Emotion
How to Calm your Child – Added March 2024 – Click Here
Enable Ireland has a four-part series on Emotion Regulation, delivered and kindly recorded by the psychology team in Bray as part of a webinar workshop series for parents of children with disabilities and specifically children with regulation challenges:
- Enable Ireland Webinar Recording: Emotional Regulation Part 1/4 – Click Here
- Enable Ireland Webinar Recording: Emotional Regulation Part 2/4 – Click Here
- Enable Ireland Webinar Recording: Emotional Regulation Part 3/4 – Click Here
- Enable Ireland Webinar Recording: Emotional Regulation Part 4/4 – Click Here
Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) is the evidence-based, trauma-informed, neurodiversity affirming model of care that helps caregivers focus on identifying the problems that are causing concerning behaviors in kids and solving those problems collaboratively and proactively. For more information please – Click Here
Information about Toileting
One Step at a Time: A Parents Guide to Tiolet Skills for Children with Special Needs – Click Here
Poo Goes to Pooland: Individual illustrations and accompanying text are intended to promote understanding of toileting matters and to relieve anxiety – Click Here or Watch Here
Information on Sensory Differences
Making Sense of Sensory Behaviour – Click Here
Sensory Differences – A Guide for All Audiences – Click Here
Top 5 tips: Managing Sensory Differences – Click Here
Access Inclusion Model: Creating sensory Play at little or no cost – Click Here
Information on Organisational Skills
Planning and Organisation Tips for Success – Click Here
Access Inclusion Model Sand timer-Link to Resource and Information – Click Here
Access Inclusion Model Time Timer- Link to resource and Information- Click Here
Cork & Kerry Paediatric Occupational Therapy Dept. Organisational Skills Leaflet – Click Here
Information on Lámh Signs
Dizzy Deliveries on RTÉjr! – Dizzy Deliveries is the first TV show to feature Lámh signs. All episodes available to view on the RTÉ Player.
In each episode we meet children who use Lámh, and focus on specific signs, bringing Lámh signs to life as the drama unfolds. Dizzy Deliveries helps audiences to add Lámh to their own vocabulary in a fun and interactive way.
Information on Developmental Co-ordination Disorder
CanChild Website on DCD – Click here
Information on Spina Bifida
SpinaB.ie, CHI (Children’s Health Ireland) at Temple Street Information platform – Click Here
Information on Autism
AsIAm Starting the Autism Journey (for Parents and Guardians) 2023 Edition – Click Here
AsIAm/St John of God Foundation/Lucena Clinic Understanding your Child’s Autism – Click Here
Resource Pack for Schools on Autism – Added March 2024 – Click Here
NeuroWild Sharing Diagnosis Booklet – Click Here
Information on Cerebral Palsy
The Cerebral Palsy Foundation has a number of factsheets which provide information on Cerebral Palsy – Click here
Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute – CP Fact Sheet – Click Here
Information on Down Syndrome
Down Syndrome Ireland have many resources and information – Click Here
Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute – DS Fact Sheet – Click Here
Information on Learning Disability
Enable Ireland North East – A Guide for Parents of children recently diagnosed with Learning Disability or who are in the process of getting a diagnosis – Click Here
NCSE Information for Parents/Guardians of Children and Young People with General Learning Disabilities (GLD) – Click Here
Information about Community Mental Health Services
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) is a specialist service for people under 18 with moderate to severe mental health difficulties. A moderate to severe difficulty is something that has a significant impact on your daily life. It stops you from doing things you want to do and need to do. For example, seeing friends and going to school. You need a referral from your GP or another healthcare professional to access CAMHS. More information can be found Here.
Jigsaw are a team of supporters, professionals and volunteers who are passionate about supporting young people’s mental health. Jigsaw offer free therapy and expert mental health support, both online and in person, to children and young adults across Ireland aged 12-25. More information can be found Here.