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A Parents’ Perspective on Mental Health

Spot the signs that a child with complex needs, who can't tell you how they feel, may be struggling with their mental health.

  • 25 minutes
  • Certificate
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About this course

Every change in a child with complex medical needs tends to get put down to their condition. So when a usually content child starts crying all day, stops sleeping and can't be settled, it can take a long time for anyone to ask whether it's their mental health.

It's told by a mother whose daughter has a very rare condition, epilepsy and profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). After months at home, away from school, her daughter became deeply unsettled, and doctors at four hospitals couldn't find a cause. You'll understand "diagnostic overshadowing", when a child's condition gets the blame for everything. You'll also see what helped this family: the routine of school, calm sensory time like nature walks and music, and multisensory story sharing to explain what was happening.

She also teaches children with PMLD, so she knows how this looks from home and from the classroom.

Modules

7 modules
  1. 1Introduction3 min
  2. 2Keeping my Child Well4 min
  3. 3Impact on Health6 min
  4. 4Impact on Family3 min
  5. 5Seeking Help5 min
  6. 6Raising Awareness3 min
  7. 7Q&A2 min

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Good to know

  • A certificate when you finish.
  • Stop when you like and pick up where you left off.
  • Got a link from your child's school? Use that instead: it's free for you.

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