“I will look stupid”, “No one will talk to me”, “I won’t find my way around the new school” – those are very common statements young people say when entering secondary school. The move from primary to secondary school can be an exciting time for many teens, but it is also a very challenging time for them and can in some teens lead to anxiety.

Like many parents of children with disabilities I have concerns around what the future will hold for my 2 boys with ASD and learning difficulties. In the world we live in the capacity to earn is key in respect of retaining independence and invaluable in respect of personal development.

Taking care of your teenager’s mental wellbeing will help them to feel secure and develop social relationships, find their place in the world and build resilience to develop coping mechanisms that will stand to them for the rest of their life.

Whether you make the decision to have a baby or have a surprise baby one thing you don’t always think about it whether your child could have special needs.