Sibs Newsletter

6th June 2025R King

Mental health awareness week 2025

This month we have been supporting mental health week, which has focused on the theme of community. Our latest spotlight blog for young siblings talks about how having people around you or looking at our YoungSibs pages can support you as a sibling.

Here are some useful links to explore.

How can I help them play together? – Parent tip

As a parent, it can be difficult to know how to support your disabled or neurodivergent child and their sibling to spend positive time together. Finding games and activities that all of your children can enjoy can sometimes feel tricky – especially during half term break. Check out our recommendations here. We would love to hear about what has worked well for your family, do let us know.

Last call – Sibling Group Leader training (young siblings)

Our next training session will run online on 16^th June for anyone who wants to run a sibling group for children. This session will give you all the information you need to plan, run and evaluate your own local siblings group. It is also an opportunity for those already running a group to gain new ideas. To find out more and book your place, check out our webpage here.

Final Opportunity to Take Part in the OASIS Sleep Study – Focusing on Children with Complex Needs and Their Siblings

Researchers from the University of Birmingham are in the final month of recruiting families for the OASIS Sleep Study, a fully remote research project exploring sleep and wellbeing in children with intellectual or complex needs and their same-household siblings (aged 4–15 years).
The study aims to better understand how sleep affects both children with additional needs and their siblings, with the goal of supporting family wellbeing more effectively.
What’s involved?

A brief online questionnaire and a follow-up phone call with a caregiver
10 days of sleep monitoring using a small wrist-worn movement tracker for both children
Completion of a simple sleep and behaviour diary by caregivers

Each family will receive a personalised sleep and behaviour report for each child. These reports have proven helpful for gaining insight into children’s sleep patterns and for sharing with schools or health professionals.
This is the final opportunity to take part in the study.
If you are interested or would like to learn more, please email the research team at: [email protected]

How can The Toby Henderson Trust help you?

6th June 2025R King

South Tyneside Hubs – May half-term activities

20th May 2025R King

May half-term is fast approaching! The South Tyneside Family Hubs have a wide range of activities available across Jarrow, Hebburn, Boldon and South Shields. Take a look or visit their website for more information.

The Toby Henderson Trust – Upcoming Webinars

6th May 2025R King

Below are a list of upcoming webinars over the next few months delivered by The Toby Henderson Trust and a guide of how to book your place. There’s a whole range of subjects covered within the different webinars.

All children are going to be transitioning to a new year group, some a new school and others starting their journey in Comprehensive school so the Autism and Transition in Education webinar is definitely relevant at this time of year.

The Toby Henderson Trust – Upcoming events!

7th February 2025R King

The Toby Henderson Trust have some amazing events coming up throughout Spring. The travel support drop in session and Easter open day do not require booking however the sibling workshop does require booking.

All details can be seen on the posters below.

If you need any further information, please contact either school or The Toby Henderson Trust directly.

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The Toby Henderson Trust

29th January 2025assistanthead teacher

What an amazing morning we have had with the Toby Henderson Trust. The resources and information they shared are invauable. They have put a few together to share with those who couldn’t make it today.

Autism Understood: For many parents just starting their journey , we wanted to signpost you to a great website called Autism Understood. This website has been created by Andy Smith, who is dual diagnosed autistic and ADHD. The content has been written by autistic individuals to gain a greater knowledge of what it means to be autistic for young people, but it can also be beneficial for family members and professionals to read too. More details can be found here: Autism Understood.

Nest Approach – We discussed how there can be different approaches on support children through a meltdown. This is called the Nest Approach. Again, in partnership with Andy Smith this has been written by autistic adults. Please see the attached document. He also has suggestions around co regulation and how to support our children when they are beginning to feel overwhelmed.

Cuppa and Cake Group For all upcoming sessions and dates of the cuppa and cakes support groups for parents, carers and family member, they are always available to view on our website: Autism Hub Events – The Toby Henderson Trust (ttht.co.uk). You can also register via this link too.

Grandparent’s Group : We run an online support group for grandparents. More details on this and how to book can be found here – Support Groups – The Toby Henderson Trust

Girls Group : We also run an online group for families of autistic girls. More details on this and how to book can be found here – Support Groups – The Toby Henderson Trust

Webinars: We also run free online webinars for parents and family members via Zoom (there’s no need to have your camera or microphone at all- a lot of parents are multitasking when they’re listening to our webinars. We cover a range of different topics which are delivered by our clinical staff as well as experienced family support members. You can view upcoming webinars on our website: Webinars – The Toby Henderson Trust (ttht.co.uk).

Our Facebook page: We have a Facebook page for the Autism Hub where you can keep up to date with our service but also events and resources that might be helpful:(10) Facebook.

We spoke about an occupational therapist who is sensory trained to support children with sensory differences. You need to refer via the GP. On how to do this please follow the below steps if the GP is unsure of the service.
Ask for them to send a TASK

PCN OT’s ref Cheryl Gascoigne – Support with Sensory Difference

We offer a Borrow Box scheme for parents to borrow any equipment that may benefit children with their sensory differences Borrow Bags & Boxes – The Toby Henderson Trust

The following book can support in understanding children’s sensory needs: Understanding Your Child’s Sensory Signals.

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