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Down’s syndrome is a much misunderstood condition. Learn more about how children with Down’s live full, healthy and happy lives.

The 5^th of October was World Cerebral Palsy Day, and it is a great opportunity to spread some awareness and reveal some of the resources available to parents with children who have the condition.

Hydrocephalus is a condition that impacts upon the brain. The fluid that surrounds the brain and spine, called cerebrospinal fluid, needs to flow away from the brain. In healthy babies this happens naturally, as a valve transports the fluid into the bloodstream.

The role of therapy for children with cerebral palsy is to help them move beyond the limitations of the condition. The therapies range from speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy. These are designed to help your child to gain greater functionality and increased independence.

Therapies to help children with autism are aimed specifically at improving the quality of life and functional independence of individuals. There needs to be a distinction made between treatment and therapy. Therapies help to improve behavioural limitations that arise because of the condition. The aim will be to improve the independence of the child, so they are able to function in society.

The worst thing is the guilt, some say. Many parents of children with special needs dread the six week’s holiday in the summer. The fear of six weeks with little rest and little time to yourself. However, this is one of those moments when it is perfectly normal to worry about having to care for your children, uninterrupted, for the longest time since they were a baby. The addition of the words “special needs” doesn’t in this case make parents special in the dread of the summer holidays.