Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
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Our Articles
- Managing “The Talk” – When and how to discuss a diagnosis of neurodiversity with your child Receiving an autism or an ADHD diagnosis is a significant moment for parents. Even if it confirms long-entertained suspicions, obtaining the final black-on-white confirmation is another step in realising that your child is different to other children and that life is taking you on a different path than the one you had planned.
- Developmental Language Disorder Developmental Language Disorder or DLD is a difficulty understanding and/or using language, when there is no other underlying cause such as hearing loss, autism or learning disability.
- Help for children who struggle to access a dentist If your child’s regular dentist is unable to treat them, they may need a referral to the Community and Special Care Dentistry Service. This service provides dental care in community settings for children and adults who find it difficult to receive treatment in a regular general dental practice, due to their additional needs.
- Skin-picking disorder This article provides information about the skin-picking disorder Dermatillomania – what it is, and what to do about it.
- Health passports Sheffield Children’s Hospital has recently introduced a patient-held Health Passport. This is intended to help everyone caring for your child to understand their needs.
- Preparing your child for surgery Sheffield Children’s Hospital has set up a new pre-operative planning service for children with additional needs.
- Looking after your child’s teeth Establishing a good tooth brushing routine and visiting the dentist are important – but for some children with additional needs, these things can be challenging.
- Help with sleep problems Sleep problems are very common among children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Here are some organisations that can provide information, advice and support.
- Tip tips for supporting family relationships We recently hosted a virtual coffee morning with a focus on supporting family relationships during the coronavirus pandemic. This article summarises the information shared at the meeting.
- When it’s not just fussy eating This article has advice for parents of children with very restricted diets. It was written in collaboration with Ailish Harrison, Speech and Language Therapist, and Jennifer Simpson, Dietitian.
- Coping with blood tests We have worked with Julie Mather, who manages the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at the Sheffield Children’s Hospital, to compile a list of tips for coping with blood tests.
- Accessing mental health support Mental health problems in childhood are very common, affecting around 1 in 10 children. They are even more common amongst disabled children. We have compiled an overview of local services to help parents access the right support at the right time.
- Annual health checks for young people with a learning disability All patients from the age of 14 years with a learning disability are eligible for an annual health check. Most GP surgeries in Sheffield offer this service, but they don’t have to.
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Links and Downloads
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Autism resources
The Sheffield Children’s Hospital has a range of resources for parents of children who are on the waiting list for an autism assessment, or who have already been diagnosed. The resources cover topics like sleep difficulties, challenging behaviour, emotional wellbeing, sensory issues, going back to school, COVID-19 and the assessment process itself.
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Sheffield Mental Health Guide
The Sheffield Mental Health Guide is a one-stop-online-shop for mental health information in Sheffield. It has a searchable directory which covers children and adults.
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Let’s Talk Directory
The Let’s Talk Directory is a guide to emotional wellbeing and mental health services for children and young people in Sheffield. It lists almost 50 local and national organisations which can help with a wide range of issues, such as eating disorders, bullying, substance abuse, self-harm, relationship issues, and many more.
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Tips for hospital appointments and ward stays
Our tips for parents of children with additional needs, published on the Sheffield Children’s Hospital website.
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The Child Disability Register
The Child Disability Register is register of children and young people, aged 0 to 25, who live in Sheffield and have a disability or life-altering medical condition. Registration is voluntary. The register is used to plan for the future across all services for children and young people with disabilities in Sheffield.