Coffee & Chromosomes

We welcome back Leela Baksi from Symbol. This time to talk about secondary school choices. A conversation everyone needs to listen to when faced with that tough secondary school decision. This chat gives food for thought, insight, inspiration and hope. We all know how tough the battles in school can be to get young people the support they need, its soul destroying. Sometimes its easy to lose sight of what we are fighting for, and what we want the outcome to be. Leela gives a fresh perspective through both her professional lens and as a mother to a child with Down Syndrome.

A question many struggle to answer, articulate and understand is where and how the role of OT fits in supporting a young person with additional needs. We discuss sensory processing challenges and WHY this therapy benefits so many struggling to make sense of the world around them, and the impact simple things in your environment like the sounds, noises, smells, feel and more have such a huge impact. Join us for an insightful chat with the brilliant Claire Ginty from Achieve OT.

In this episode Una Monaghan, Clinical Director of special care – dental service, at Hertfordshire community trust. We talk about the Special dental care service available to those who have additional/complex needs. What the service offers, why its so important and how its different to community high street dentists. Gum and mouth care is so important, taking a proactive approach rather than reactive is where you want to be, prevention is better than cure. Una tells us how they understand the worries of parents and anxieties around visiting the dentist and what’s on offer to support and make that trip to the dentist a success for all.

Kicking off series 2 with a bang! It was an absolute pleasure to start the series with this absolute legend! George is 22 years old, and already has so many strings to his bow!! He’s an actor, presenter, dancer….and now an author! Its George’s passion to show the world that people with disabilities can dream big and be employed, and give back to society. If you want to be inspired, and have a spring in your step for the rest of the day….get listening!

Do you find it hard or feel guilty to admit it can be hard to be the parent of a child with additional needs sometimes?  Do you find comfort in hearing other parents open and honest accounts of their experiences? We speak with Sarah Roberts - mum of 3, author, public speaker, counsellor in training and award winning writer of the blog "Don't Be Sorry."  Having found out postnatally that her eldest son Oscar had Down Syndrome, she wanted to raise awareness about the condition but also give a very real and raw insight into both the challenges he faces, mixed with the beautiful life he leads. When Oscar was born, Sarah was told by the paediatrician who delivered the news that she was 'sorry.'  Everything about the experience and the way the diagnosis was spoken of, was filled with sadness.  Much of Sarah's efforts go into reaching audiences across the globe, that there is absolutely nothing to be sorry about. We talk about Sarah's life since becoming a mum, her first book (which reached number 11 on the UK amazon best sellers list) her next book which is due out in August this year and much much more!