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CBeebies Grown-ups: The Benefits of Makaton for your child

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Understanding How Children Develop Occupations

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Understanding How Children Use Their Senses To Regulate For Learning And Play

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Taflen 1 - Adnabod Anghenion Dysgu Ychwanegol

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CBeebies Grown-ups: The Benefits of Makaton for your child

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Tîm Cynhwysiant – Pwy ydym ni/ cyflwyniad

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Tîm Cynhwysiant – Pwy ydym ni/ cyflwyniad

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Education is changing: additional learning needs

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Education in Wales is changing with the introduction of a new curriculum in 2022.

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Porth i Deuluoedd Caerdydd/ Cardiff Family Gateway

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Porth i Deuluoedd Caerdydd/ Cardiff Family Gateway

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What is Cardiff Family Gateway

Cardiff Family Gateway is a clear, accessible referral route for anyone who has well-being concerns about a child or wants to learn more about the available support available to families throughout Cardiff. The Gateway provides a clear pathway into other support services and is the first point of contact for information, advice and assistance. The service complements the existing provision already available from education and health services.

The Gateway provides information, advice and assistance on a wide range of topics and enquiry areas such as money advice, housing, welfare benefits, child behaviour, child care, school attendance, health and well-being, parental support and much more.

Who is Cardiff Family Gateway for

Any professional, parent, child or young people or member of the public across Cardiff who would like information, advice and assistance regarding the well-being of a child.

What can people expect from Cardiff Family Gateway

Contact Officers will help you navigate the system, talk you through an assessment and triage to discuss your concerns and needs. Clear referral path into appropriate specialist services and provisions. Referrals with a clear safeguarding concern are directed to a social worker who will make a decision regarding the service best placed to support the family.

The Family Gateway works alongside and refers directly into both the 'Family Help' and 'Support 4 Families' teams for when families need short term intervention or facing more complex, severe issues.

How much does the service cost to access

Cardiff Family Gateway is a free service.

How people can access Cardiff Family Gateway

Referrals or requests for information, advice and assistance can be made by professionals, parents, children and young people or members of the public by telephoning the Family Gateway on 03000 133 133, via email ContactFAS@cardiff.gov.uk

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Cardiff Family Gateway - Cardiff Family Advice and Support

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Information, advice and assistance for children, young people and their families in Cardiff

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The Children's Bowell and Bladder Charity - ERIC

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The Children's Bowell and Bladder Charity - ERIC

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Dyddiadau Pwysig ar gyfer Ceisiadau/ Important Dates for Applications

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Dyddiadau Pwysig ar gyfer Ceisiadau/ Important Dates for Applications

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My Neighbourhood

Use your postcode to find local councillors, facilities, school catchment areas and more.

Find facilities in my area

Cardiff Council

www.cardiff.gov.uk

My Neighbourhood

Use your postcode to find local councillors, facilities, school catchment areas and more.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Check the latest school admissions deadlines, and find all the dates you need so that you don't miss applicatio​n deadlines for school places this year.

Important dates for applications​

Nursery school admissions dates

Application process for starting Nursery in September 2024 begins. Online application service opens. ​

​26 February 2024

​Closing date for online applications. After this date any new applications will need to be done on paper and will be considered as a late application. ​

​February to April 2024

​Applications are processed and assessed against the appropriate

Admission Criteria. This also includes checking and verifying the address you have supplied and supporting information you have given us.

​July 2024

​Second round results sent out via post. All following rounds are processed on a monthly basis from now on.​

Application process for starting Nursery in Spring to Summer 2025 begins. Online application service opens.​

​July to September 2024

​Applications are processed and assessed against the appropriate

Admission Criteria. This also includes checking and verifying the address you have supplied and supporting information you have given us.​

​October 2024

​​Second round (late) applications processed and assessed.

​November 2024

​Second round results sent out via post. All following rounds are processed ​​​on a monthly basis from now on.

Primary school admissions dates

​Second round results sent out via post. All following rounds are processed ​on a monthly basis from now on.

Secondary school admissions dates

​Late applications

It is important that you submit your application on time to improve ​​your chances of getting a place at the school you want.

If you miss the closing date you cannot make a late application online. You will need to complete a late application form on paper. Read information on late applications​ and fill out a form.

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Due to essential maintenance our website will be unavailable on Sunday morning. Apologies for the inconvenience.

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Cynnig Gofal Plant Cymru/ Childcare Offer for Wales

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Cynnig Gofal Plant Cymru/ Childcare Offer for Wales

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Do you need help with childcare costs? Under the Childcare Offer for Wales, you could claim up to 30 hours of early education and childcare a week, for up to 48 weeks of the year. This government-funded childcare scheme aims to lessen the burden of childcare costs so that you can spend the money you've saved on the things that matter most to your family.

The Offer has already helped parents from all over Wales to return to work, increase their hours or work more flexibly. If you're looking for a job, or thinking about going back into education or training, but are worried about childcare costs, this support could make all the difference.

Whatever the Offer means for you and your family, don't miss out on your share of this childcare funding.
You can apply now to receive funded childcare from January 2024.
All parents wishing to receive Childcare Offer for Wales funded childcare will need to apply through the national digital service. The online service is bilingual and can be accessed via a laptop, mobile phone or tablet.

When applying, you will need:

Your child's birth certificate

Proof of address

Proof of household income or enrolment on a higher or further education course

If you need more help about the Childcare Offer for Wales, please contact us.

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Childcare Offer for Wales | Help With Childcare Costs Wales | GOV.WALES

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The Childcare Offer for Wales: help with childcare costs for eligible parents of 3 to 4 year olds

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Who do we support

You can sign up to The Index if you are:

A parent / carer of a child or young person aged 0 - 18 years with disabilities or additional needs
A professional working with children and young people 0 - 18 years with disabilities or additional needs
To be included on The Index the child or young person must:

be aged up to 18 years
have a diagnosed disability, be in the process of diagnosis or have confirmed ongoing additional needs

Once signed up to The Index you will receive the Index e-news - regular emails providing information about services, activities and events.

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The Index for Children and Young People with Disabilities or Additional Needs (Cardiff)

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You can sign up to The Index if you are: A parent / carer of a child or young person aged 0 - 18 years with disabilities or additional needsA professional working with children and young people 0 - 18 years with disabilities or additional needsTo be included on The Index the child or young person must: be aged up to 18 yearshave a diagnosed disability, be in the process of diagnosis or have confirmed ongoing additional needs Once signed up to The Index you will receive the Index e-news - regular emails providing information about services, activities and events.

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Teaching your child to use the toilet correctly can be a difficult task, whether they are on the autism spectrum or not. But if your child is autistic, the process of developing a toilet routine can take longer, and involve its own particular challenges. This guide provides some useful steps that will hopefully make your toilet training a success.

When to start

Choose a time when you have few engagements and are feeling relatively stress free. Some indicators of a good time to start are:

if your child has begun to become aware of needing to go to the toilet

if you notice changes in their behaviour patterns, such as appearing distracted or fidgeting when they are wet or have soiled

if they let you know when they need changing

if you have observed that your child is aware that they have started/finished weeing or pooing

if your child has shown an interest in using or used the toilet themselves without being prompted

if your child can avoid having a wee or poo accident for one or two hours at a time (ie has improved bladder/bowel control).

Developing a toileting routine

Remember that independent toileting is the ultimate aim and may take many months but there will be many small steps and successes along the way. As well as physical factors associated with toilet training, there are social factors to consider. It is rare for an autistic child to have the social motivation to want to be like mummy/daddy/friend and use the toilet. After using nappies for a number of years, your child might not see the point in starting to use the toilet. It's important to remember that all children are different and they will not all respond to the same teaching techniques.

Children on the autism spectrum often like routine. You can build upon this desire for predictability to develop a successful toilet training routine.

When changing your child's nappy, do this where the toilet is so they can start relating toileting activities to the bathroom.

Your child may behave differently than normal when their routine is changed so let everyone who cares for them know why there could be a change in behaviour. It is often easier not to use a potty as part of toilet training to avoid a possibly difficult change from potty to toilet.

Ensure everyone working with your child starts toilet training at the same time and follows your agreed approach. Send in any equipment to nursery/school which you use at home, for example a toilet seat they may use to make the seat smaller. Also remember to send spare clothes, plastic bags to put any wet clothes in and wet wipes. It is important that you have clear lines of communication during this time so having a home/school book to share concerns and successes is vital.

Observe your child over a few days to see when they do a wee or a poo. Identifying a regular pattern can help you take your child to the toilet with an increased likelihood of them doing a wee or poo. This then leads to positive reinforcement.

Continue to take your child at set times based on your observations. If they wet themselves at another time, take them to the toilet as quickly as possible and try to get them there so some of the wee goes into the toilet. Ignore the wetting and positively reinforce that the wee has gone into the toilet and continue the rest of the toileting routine.

Use a visual sequence beside the toilet to help your child understand what is expected of them, for example: trousers down, pants down, sit on the toilet, wee/poo in the toilet, wipe (you may need to show how many squares of paper to take), pants up, trousers up, flush toilet, wash hands. The sequence can either be in the form of photographs, pictures or the written word - whatever is most suitable and motivating for your child. You may need to create a way of removing or covering over each symbol as the step is completed to show that it is finished and to move on to the next step. There are some examples of visual supports on the Do2Learn website.

Make sure any pictures or instructions are very clear so there is no misunderstanding. For example, if you are teaching your son to stand and wee in the toilet, show an outline drawing of him standing and weeing in the toilet. If you are teaching sitting, show a picture of him sitting and weeing in the toilet.

Show your child a photo or drawing of the toilet and say 'your child's name, toilet', take them into the toilet, follow your visual sequence for undressing and sit your child on the toilet. Even if they do not open their bowel or bladder, continue to follow the visual sequence as if they had.

Use a laminated visual sequence above the sink at eye level for hand washing.

Teach toileting as a whole routine from communicating the need to go to the toilet, using the toilet, to drying hands, rather than just sitting on the toilet.

Keep the sequence of behaviours the same every time. Often when an activity is anticipated, the child is more receptive to it.

Concentrate on tackling one behaviour at a time; it's very difficult to change two behaviours at once.

Decide whether or not and how to praise your child for successfully following the toileting routine. Some children enjoy and respond to social praise ('well done', or a tickle), others respond better to an object. Some children find praise difficult and keeping a calm, structured routine with a preferred activity after toileting may work better.

Dressing and undressing

Dress your child in comfortable clothes they can easily manage themselves such as elasticated waistbands on trousers and skirts or dresses that are not too long.

Motivate your child to wear underwear by buying pants with their favourite cartoon or television programme characters on them.

Use 'backward chaining' to teach new skills. This involves breaking a skill down into smaller steps, teaching the last stage of the sequence first. So if you were teaching your child to pull up his trousers, you would pull them up to his hips and then he would pull them up to his waist. Next time, you would pull them up to just under his hips and he would pull them over his hips and waist. This is a particularly good way of teaching new skills as it raises your child's self-esteem as they have taken the final step of the task themselves to complete the sequence.

Hand washing

Follow the same steps each time: sleeves up, tap on, wet hands, squirt soap, rub hands together, rinse hands, turn off tap, shake hands, dry hands.

Stand behind your child and physically prompt them if necessary, slowly withdrawing.

Avoid using verbal prompts as your child can become dependent on these without you realising. Instead let your child refer to a visual sequence as a reminder.

You may wish to teach your child to use the cold tap only. Beware that if you teach them to use the hot tap independently at home, when they go into other settings and wash their hands, the water may be too hot and could burn them.

Boys - sit or stand?

When deciding whether to teach a boy to sit or stand to urinate, ask yourself the following questions:

Can they distinguish between when they want to wee and poo?

Do they have the co-ordination, focus and control needed to aim?

If they learn by imitation, is there someone they can watch?

If the answer to any of the above is 'yes', then they are probably able to be taught to stand to urinate. To start teaching them to aim, it can be useful to put a piece of cereal (preferably one they don't eat as this could lead to confusion) down the toilet so they have something to aim for and concentrate on. You can also purchase a variety of fun toilet target stickers online.

Bowel control

Bowel control is usually learnt after bladder control. Some children can find bowel movements very frightening and not understand what is happening. It can help to get a book with pictures to explain the digestion process.

Some children find the feel of a full nappy comforting, and may enjoy the sensory feeling of the weight of the nappy. Find alternative ways to replace these feelings so you can continue toilet training. Give your child a means of requesting the activity eg being wrapped in a warm, heavy blanket and fit it into their routine.

Sit your child on the toilet, keep the nappy on but with a hole cut in the bottom, slowly cut away the nappy each time until they are able to go without the nappy at all. To start with, they will still have the feeling of a security around their waist which in turn will enable them to feel relaxed enough to poo on the toilet.

Habit training

Some children are toilet trained through habit. Habit training is effective for children who may: lack awareness, not understand the significance or meaning related to physical sensations, be limited by decreased or absent physical sensations or have unsuccessfully tried toilet training before.

Habit training involves training the body to go at set times. Take your child to the toilet at set times throughout the day, every day.

As before, observe your child to discover the best times to take them to the toilet.

Make sure your child feels relaxed enough to open their bladder/bowels while they sit on the toilet. Having the tap running in the background can help enable your child to wee for example.

Sometimes having a toy to handle - not one which causes excitement - can be useful to both keep your child on the toilet and relax them. Keep certain toys/books for just when they are sitting on the toilet.

If your child lacks awareness or sensation, they may have to be taught a strategy before getting off the toilet, to avoid accidentally weeing on the floor. Encourage them to slowly count to ten out loud when they have finished weeing before allowing them to get up, or give them a sand timer to look at.

To help your child to independently manage their own toileting routine when they are older, you can buy watches which you can set to vibrate at certain times throughout the day. You can then teach your child when the watch vibrates, they are to go to the toilet.

Environment

Ensure the bathroom is a calm, relaxing environment to encourage independence and success with the complete toileting routine.

Remove all distractions which are not associated with toileting to help your child understand what is expected of them while in the toilet.

Make the bathroom as comfortable as possible, adding foot supports, side rails and a smaller toilet seat if necessary.

Encourage independence by ensuring that everything in the bathroom is at the right level for your child eg soap and towels.

Think about your child's sensory needs and make changes to reduce their anxiety. Does the soap smell too strong for them? Does the noise of the extractor fan bother them? Does the water temperature need to be adjusted? Is the lighting too bright?

Make sure your child can sit comfortably on the toilet with hips and knees flexed at a 90 degree angle and have feet flat on a secure object.

Night-time

Once your child is mostly dry during the day you will be able to start night-time toilet training.

Have a set bedtime routine which does not change with weekends or holidays.

Limit the amount your child eats and drinks before bed, having no fluid an hour before bedtime, but ensuring your child has enough fluid throughout the day.

Take your child to the toilet before they go to bed. They then may need to be taken once during the night. You could fit this in with your routine by taking them before you go to bed.

If they are unable to keep dry during the night, you may need to try different times in the night to take them.

Use products to protect bedding.

Schools and early years settings

Admission to school should not be refused simply because a child has difficulties with continence. A school that does this may be at risk of disability discrimination (alternative legislation operates in Northern Ireland).

Further tips

Giving a drink 10 to 15 minutes before toileting can help increase the chances of your child successfully doing a wee on the toilet but avoid giving too much as this creates an unnatural routine.

Decide if you are going to teach your child to shut the door as part of the whole toileting routine or only in certain situations.

Avoid using childlike terms for toileting as your child may find it difficult to change language later in life.

If your child has a fear of flushing the toilet, you may wish to remove this from the visual sequence and leave it until the end of the routine - after your child has dried their hands. They then may need to stand in the doorway while you flush the toilet and gradually stand closer each time until they are able to flush for themselves. Playing calming music to drown out the noise of the flush or explaining with pictures what makes the noise when the toilet is flushed may also help.

When your child is in a car, ensure they have a protector to sit on to stop the car seat from being soiled by accidents. Avoid drinks before long car journeys.

Be aware that some children will hold onto their wee/poo until they have their nappy put on, for example if they know they always have a nappy on before going in the car they may wait until it is put back to release their bowel/bladder.

A range of absorbent pants and swimwear for older children is available.

Once your child is toilet trained at home, you will want to teach them to use toilets when out. When visiting new places, show your child where the toilets are and use the same routine as you do at home. Use the same picture and toy or book they may have for toileting at home.

Some children smear their poo. Read our guide on smearing for strategies to try (link to new guide in behaviour section).

Further information

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Toileting - a guide for parents and carers

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This guide provides some useful steps to help make toilet training an autistic child a success.

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Understanding your child's senses - includes sensory play ideas

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Supporting my child with sensory play - Keeping Me Well

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Our Occupational Therapists have put together this information to help you support your child to enjoy the benefits of sensory play.

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Cardiff and Vale Occupational Therapy Advice Line

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Cardiff and Vale Occupational Therapy Advice Line

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Understanding How Children Use Their Senses To Regulate For Learning And Play

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Cardiff and Vale Speech and Language Therapy Service 

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Cardiff and Vale Speech and Language Therapy Service 

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Useful ideas and strategies to help my child - Keeping Me Well

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The Children's Speech and Language Therapy Service is here to help you support your child's speech, language and communication skills.

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(Read this page in Welsh - Darllenwch y dudalen hon yn Cymraeg)

Just remember to Look, Say, Sing, Play

We've teamed up with Vroom™ to give you some fun and easy tips to help you bring even more Look, Say, Sing and Play into your daily routine with your baby or toddler.

Whether it's bathtime, bedtime or you're washing up, playing with your child, using silly voices, or even singing can build their brain right from birth. It's a great way to have fun while making your bond even stronger.

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Right from birth, every time you talk, sing or play with your child, you're not just bonding, you're building their brain. Get free brain-building tips.

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Cardiff and Vale NHS Community Connectors

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Cardiff and Vale NHS Community Connectors

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Community Connectors support parents and carers of children aged 0-11 years old with information on their waiting list journey and signpost them to local services that can be accessed without a formal diagnosis.

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Community Connectors – CAV Young Neuro Development

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Community Connectors support parents and carers of children aged 0-11 years old with information on their waiting list journey and signpost them to local services that can be accessed without a formal diagnosis.

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Huge thanks to our corporate partner, Furniture Village, who has helped us to launch a brand new National Sleep Helpline to ensure that everyone has access to high quality, evidence-based advice regardless of age, ethnicity, background or income.
"We've always believed that sleep is equally as important as diet and exercise yet we know the UK is really struggling to sleep, particularly with the ongoing effects of the pandemic" says Charlie Harrison, Furniture Village Commercial Director. "From my work as a doctor, I know how great the need for a National Sleep Helpline is. It will make a huge difference to so many people." Dr Ranj, Furniture Village Sleep and Wellness Advisor
Working together to improve the nation's sleep.

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National Sleep Helpline - The Sleep Charity

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Who do I talk to if I can't sleep? The National Sleep Helpline can help with your sleep problems, 7pm-9pm, Sunday to Thursday, 03303 530 541.

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Tiny Happy People is here to help you develop your child's language skills. Explore our simple activities and play ideas and find out about babies and toddlers' amazing early development.

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Children’s language development and parenting advice - BBC Tiny Happy People

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A chatty child is a happy child, so Tiny Happy People is here to help you develop your child’s communication skills through simple interaction and play.

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Our dedicated sleep service is here to help.

Alongside our Sleep Tips booklet and relevant guides, we also offer one-to-one support. This involves completing an application form for your child and two weeks' worth of sleep diaries which we'll send out to you as long as you come under our criteria for support.

If you need one-to-one support and are a parent/carer or a professional referring a family with their consent to having sleep support, please click the button below to contact the sleep service.

If you have a question or query about our services please email us at [email protected].

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Sleep tips Our Sleep Tips booklet introduces and explains different techniques for you to try that may improve your child's sleep. It covers ten main topics including bedtime routines, daytime napping, comfort objects and moving bedtime backwards or forwards. It gives lots of illustrated hints and tips for putting the...

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Taflen 3 - Cyfarfod sy'n canolbwyntio ar yr unigolyn

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Every Child Newborn to age 2 - 15/08/2024

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Mixmups - addasu sut rydych yn gwylio trwy ddefnyddio Makaton, delweddau symlach, sŵn cefndir isel a mwy! Mixmups - customise how you watch, by using Makaton, simpler visuals, low background noise and more!

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It looks like you are trying to access 5 app from outside the UK.

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If you have a child with additional needs and sleep issues, bedtime can be tricky.

Whether they struggle to communicate how they're feeling, have increased anxiety, sensory issues or social cueing problems, sleeping well may be difficult. For example research estimates that between 40-80% of children and young adults with autism have sleep problems. If your child regularly has difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, it may be a sign of a sleep issue.

Lack of sleep can impact in the following ways:

Aggression

Depression

Hyperactivity

Increased behavioural problems

Irritability

Poor learning and cognitive performance

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If a child struggles to communicate how they're feeling, have increased anxiety, sensory issues or social cueing problems, sleeping well may be difficult.

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Keeping Me Well - Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

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Keeping Me Well - Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

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Resources to support your child with health, development, eating and drinking, play, physical development and wellbeing.

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Support for your child - Keeping Me Well

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Cardiff and Vale University Health Board supports the health and wellbeing of children with a wide range of needs.

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Cerebra - Working with you and your amazing child

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Cerebra - Working with you and your amazing child

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Makaton - A Language Programme Using Speech, Signs and Symbols

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Makaton is a language programme that uses symbols, signs and speech to support development of essential communication skills, memory, recall and organisation.

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Leaflet 4 - Individual Development Plans

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Taflen 6 - Roi'r Gorau i gynllun datblygu Unigol (CDU)

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Taflen 9 - Addysg ddewisol yn y cartref ac ADY

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Taflen 10 - Gefnogi Ddysgwyr ag anghenion gofal iechyd mewn ysgolion

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Leaflet 10 - Supporting Learners with Healthcare Needs in Schools

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Our team are based in a variety of different offices across Wales, and we are funded to deliver advice across 22 local authorities. We will make every effort to ensure that no child and family in Wales is left without support, if you'd like more information on this, feel free to contact us via our Helpline 0808 801 0608, someone will be able to advise you further.

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Our team are based in a variety of different offices across Wales, and we are funded to deliver advice across 22 local authorities. We will make every effort to ensure that no child and family in Wales is left without support, if you'd like more information on this, feel free to contact us via our Helpline 0808 801 0608, someone will be able to advise you further.

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Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

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E-PAtS - Early Positive Approaches to Support

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E-PAtS - Early Positive Approaches to Support

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Early Positive Approaches to Support (E-PAtS) is an 8-week programme delivered across Cardiff and the Vale to empower parents of children aged 0-5 with an emerging learning disability.

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Support for parents of children with emerging learning disabilities - Keeping Me Well

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Early Positive Approaches to Support (E-PAtS) is a programme designed for parents of children (age 0-5) with an emerging learning disability.

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Grwp 1 Group. 595 likes · 7 talking about this. Community Service

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Inclusion Team - Who we are/ Introduction

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Inclusion Team - Who we are/ Introduction

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Grwp 1 Group. 595 likes · 7 talking about this. Community Service

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Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

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Understanding How Children Use Their Senses To Regulate For Learning And Play

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Cardiff and Vale Speech and Language Therapy Service

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Cardiff and Vale Speech and Language Therapy Service

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Syniadau a strategaethau defnyddiol i helpu eich plentyn -

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Mae ein therapyddion yn gwybod mai rhieni a gofalwyr yw’r bobl orau i gefnogi sgiliau lleferydd, iaith a chyfathrebu plant.

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(Read this page in Welsh - Darllenwch y dudalen hon yn Cymraeg)

Just remember to Look, Say, Sing, Play

We've teamed up with Vroom™ to give you some fun and easy tips to help you bring even more Look, Say, Sing and Play into your daily routine with your baby or toddler.

Whether it's bathtime, bedtime or you're washing up, playing with your child, using silly voices, or even singing can build their brain right from birth. It's a great way to have fun while making your bond even stronger.

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Right from birth, every time you talk, sing or play with your child, you're not just bonding, you're building their brain. Get free brain-building tips.

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Tiny Happy People is here to help you develop your child's language skills. Explore our simple activities and play ideas and find out about babies and toddlers' amazing early development.

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Children’s language development and parenting advice - BBC Tiny Happy People

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A chatty child is a happy child, so Tiny Happy People is here to help you develop your child’s communication skills through simple interaction and play.

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Every Child Your Pregnancy & Birth - Every Child Welsh

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2 oed hyd at ddechrau’r ysgol - 14/01/2026

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Niwrowahaniaeth Cymru | Neurodivergence Wales | National Neurodivergence Team

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Home - Niwrowahaniaeth Cymru | Neurodivergence Wales | National Neurodivergence Team

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Introducing NeurodivergenceWales.org!We are excited to announce the launch of our new web domain, NeurodivergenceWales.org! This marks the next step in the National Neurodivergence Team working alongside the neurodivergent community to help improve the lives of neurodivergent people and their families in Wales.Click HereNational Neurodivergence Team Website – Feedback FormWe want to hear from you! Help […]

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Eating and Drinking - Cardiff and Vale University Health Board 

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Eating and Drinking - Cardiff and Vale University Health Board 

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Advice on weaning, NYLO, faddy eating and more.

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Eating and drinking A healthy, balanced diet is important for you and your child as they grow up. Here are some pages with tips and advice.

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Parent-led voluntary group meeting regularly to exchange information, advice and support.

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Common food issues, challenges and ways to help.

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Our guidance aims to help you address common eating difficulties for autistic people.

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Looking For Disability Benefit Advice? - Cardiff Money Advice Service

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Our Disability Benefit Support Team can offer a variety of specialist advice and support

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Disability Living Allowance - Contact Cymru

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Disability Living Allowance - Contact Cymru

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In this article

Read more about claiming DLA for babies

Three months is usually the earliest you can get the DLA care component (unless your child has a terminal condition).

All very young children need a lot of care and attention, so the younger your child, the harder it can be to show they need more help than other babies of the same age. But you can still get DLA if you show that your baby needs a different type of care than other babies, or if that care has to be provided more frequently, or over a longer period.

For example, all babies need help feeding but if your baby takes longer to feed, has feeding problems or needs feeding by a tube or drip then they are likely to qualify for the care component.

Other common situations where a baby is likely to qualify include:

Babies with severe visual or hearing impairments.

Those who have seizures.

Those with renal failure.

Babies with severe multiple disabilities.

Babies who are born very prematurely.

Babies who need suctioning, oxygen treatment, or who have had a surgical procedure, such as a tracheotomy or colostomy, are also likely to qualify.

This list is not exhaustive, and other babies may qualify. Because of the difficulties getting DLA for babies, get specialist help to fill in the form.

Read more about claiming DLA for babies

Three months is usually the earliest you can get the DLA care component (unless your child has a terminal condition).

All very young children need a lot of care and attention, so the younger your child, the harder it can be to show they need more help than other babies of the same age. But you can still get DLA if you show that your baby needs a different type of care than other babies, or if that care has to be provided more frequently, or over a longer period.

For example, all babies need help feeding but if your baby takes longer to feed, has feeding problems or needs feeding by a tube or drip then they are likely to qualify for the care component.

Other common situations where a baby is likely to qualify include:

Babies with severe visual or hearing impairments.

Those who have seizures.

Those with renal failure.

Babies with severe multiple disabilities.

Babies who are born very prematurely.

Babies who need suctioning, oxygen treatment, or who have had a surgical procedure, such as a tracheotomy or colostomy, are also likely to qualify.

This list is not exhaustive, and other babies may qualify. Because of the difficulties getting DLA for babies, get specialist help to fill in the form.

Words used in the DLA rules

To assess what rate of DLA should be paid, some of the words in the rules have a specific meaning:
Bodily functions
Includes anything to do with how the body works, like breathing, eating, drinking, hearing, seeing, walking, sitting, dressing, undressing, washing, bathing, toileting and sleeping. If the help can be done in another room, away from the child, it is unlikely to count unless it is closely connected to something personal, for example changing bedding after a child has wet the bed.
Supervision
Someone present to prevent any accidents or harm to your child or others.
Substantial danger
There must be a realistic possibility that without supervision your child could seriously risk harming themselves or others. This situation may arise infrequently or be a one-off.
Night
Starts from when the whole household goes to bed and ends when everyone gets up. Normally it is assumed to start around 11pm and end around 7am.

Words used in the DLA rules

To assess what rate of DLA should be paid, some of the words in the rules have a specific meaning:
Bodily functions
Includes anything to do with how the body works, like breathing, eating, drinking, hearing, seeing, walking, sitting, dressing, undressing, washing, bathing, toileting and sleeping. If the help can be done in another room, away from the child, it is unlikely to count unless it is closely connected to something personal, for example changing bedding after a child has wet the bed.
Supervision
Someone present to prevent any accidents or harm to your child or others.
Substantial danger
There must be a realistic possibility that without supervision your child could seriously risk harming themselves or others. This situation may arise infrequently or be a one-off.
Night
Starts from when the whole household goes to bed and ends when everyone gets up. Normally it is assumed to start around 11pm and end around 7am.

Read more about the DLA care component

The lowest rate care component
This is paid if your child needs help with personal care for a 'significant portion of the day'. This is usually taken to mean for at least an hour on most days - for example, help with washing and getting dressed in the morning. This help may be given all at once or be spread out through the day.

Sometimes less than an hour's care will be sufficient to meet this test - for example if the help is spread over a number of short periods or is particularly intensive in nature.
The middle rate care component
This is paid if your child has either 'day-time needs' or 'night-time needs'. Day-time needs means they need either:

'Frequent' help with personal care, in connection with their bodily functions. This means several times throughout the day, or

Continual supervision throughout the day to avoid substantial danger to themselves or others. Continual supervision means frequent or regular supervision, rather than non-stop supervision.

Night-time needs means that during the night your child requires either:

'Prolonged' help with their personal care. This means for at least 20 minutes, or

'Repeated' help with personal care during the night. This means at least twice, or

To avoid danger to themselves, or others, another person needs to be awake and watching over them for either a 'prolonged' period or at 'frequent intervals' (this means more than twice).

The highest rate care component
Paid if your child has day-time and night-time care needs, or if they qualify under the 'special rules' (see page 13).

To qualify for the DLA care component, your child's care needs must ultimately stem from a disability. And they must need substantially more help than a child of the same age without a disability.

Read more about the DLA care component

The lowest rate care component
This is paid if your child needs help with personal care for a 'significant portion of the day'. This is usually taken to mean for at least an hour on most days - for example, help with washing and getting dressed in the morning. This help may be given all at once or be spread out through the day.

Sometimes less than an hour's care will be sufficient to meet this test - for example if the help is spread over a number of short periods or is particularly intensive in nature.
The middle rate care component
This is paid if your child has either 'day-time needs' or 'night-time needs'. Day-time needs means they need either:

'Frequent' help with personal care, in connection with their bodily functions. This means several times throughout the day, or

Continual supervision throughout the day to avoid substantial danger to themselves or others. Continual supervision means frequent or regular supervision, rather than non-stop supervision.

Night-time needs means that during the night your child requires either:

'Prolonged' help with their personal care. This means for at least 20 minutes, or

'Repeated' help with personal care during the night. This means at least twice, or

To avoid danger to themselves, or others, another person needs to be awake and watching over them for either a 'prolonged' period or at 'frequent intervals' (this means more than twice).

The highest rate care component
Paid if your child has day-time and night-time care needs, or if they qualify under the 'special rules' (see page 13).

To qualify for the DLA care component, your child's care needs must ultimately stem from a disability. And they must need substantially more help than a child of the same age without a disability.

Benefits you might be entitled to

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Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is the main benefit for children under 16 with a condition or disability.

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Neurodivergent Friendly Hubs and libraries - Neurodivergent Friendly Cardiff

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We have received Shared Prosperity Funding and are working with our Hubs and libraries to make them more accessible

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Accessible swimming lessons in your local leisure centre 

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Accessible swimming lessons in your local leisure centre 

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'Better' believe everyone should enjoy the benefits of swimming, regardless of their access or support needs.

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Disabled Swimming Near Me For Adults and Children | Better UK

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Our SEND and SEN swim lessons help create confident swimmers, with 1:1 and group lessons available. Find your nearest class at your local leisure centre.

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Accessible swimming lessons in your local leisure centre

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Accessible swimming lessons in your local leisure centre

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Use the power of your swimming to raise money for Level Water in some of the UK's most beautiful swimming events.

Take to the rivers of Devon, or an iconic lake in the Lake District. Test your endurance at one of our 24hr swim relays or swim a marathon in the world famous London Aquatic Centre. You'll literally be swimming so children with disabilities can learn to swim. Which is pretty wonderful.

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Use the power of your swimming to raise money for Level Water in some of the UK's most beautiful swimming events. Take to the rivers of Devon, or an iconic lake in the Lake District. Test your endurance at one of our 24hr swim relays or swim a marathon in the world famous London Aquatic Centre.

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KeyCreate provides exciting bespoke creative and educational workshops, training, and inclusive play, for people with disabilities across South Wales.

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KeyCreate, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan. 2,700 likes · 21 talking about this · 4 were here. KeyCreate provides exciting bespoke creative and educational workshops, training, and inclusive play, for…

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Cynhwysol

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At Home-Start Cymru, our primary focus is to support families through whatever challenges they may be facing. We understand that every family is unique, and we provide essential support to hundreds of families each year. Our comprehensive range of services aims to make a positive difference in the lives of parents and children across Wales.

Here's how we support families:

1. 1-1 Home Visiting Support:
Our dedicated volunteers provide crucial one-on-one support to families in the comfort of their own homes. With compassion and empathy, they offer practical assistance, a listening ear, and non-judgmental guidance to help families navigate their individual situations.

2. Peer Support Groups:
We facilitate peer support groups, creating a safe and welcoming environment for parents to connect, share experiences, and receive mutual support. These groups foster a sense of community and allow families to learn from one another's journeys.

3. Specialised Support Services:
In addition to our core services, Home-Start Cymru offers a wide range of specialised support services tailored to meet specific needs. These services cater to diverse areas, encompassing 18 local authorities across Wales. We strive to address the unique challenges faced by families and provide valuable resources to support their well-being.

Our commitment to supporting families remains unwavering as we continue to expand and enhance our services. We firmly believe that every family deserves access to the assistance they require to thrive and overcome obstacles.

If you know a family in need or if you require our support, please reach out to us at info@homestartcymru.org.uk. Our dedicated team is here to assist you and provide the necessary support or guidance.

Thank you for standing alongside Home-Start Cymru as we work tirelessly to empower families.

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Home-Start Cymru | Family Support Charity | Home

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We are a Welsh family support charity, currently providing services to single parents in 18 local authorities.

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Offers support, advice and information to families with disabled children, no matter what their condition or disability. We support families through workshops and sports events, and providing local information and resources.

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Contact Cymru supports families with disabled children through information, workshops and events, support groups and more.

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Young carers are really important to us, to the communities where they live and to the people they care for.

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In late autumn, despite the chilly sea breeze, children still, with cheerful voices and laughter, showing their love and passion for sea creatures life exploration. @Gower youth society and Dawn...

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Autism Support - Chinese In Wales Association

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The Chinese Autism Support Group was founded by our autism specialist Hazel Lim. We have run autism projects specifically focused on improving the lives of Chinese families living with autism and related conditions.