Child development and growing up for additional needs

Neurodiversity is the many different ways people's brains work and develop. It shows that there are lots of ways that brains can work that are completely normal. These are not good or bad, they're just different. This is based on science from brain-imaging studies.

Babies learn from every experience they have in a 24 hour period. Every moment is important for babies to adapt and learn. You can help your baby by varying the positions they are in. This will give them lots of different experiences to learn from.

Some children and young people can find sitting on a chair hard. Learn about how to create the set up for your child to sit comfortably and for longer. This includes information about helpful equipment that can help your child's sitting posture.

The whole person approach is also known as a holistic approach. This is when you view every aspect of your child or young person's care as equal. Different elements of physical, mental and emotional wellbeing will affect other areas. For example, poor sleep habits can affect mood which can affect how they feel about themselves.

Down's syndrome is a genetic condition that results in some level of learning disability and a particular range of physical characteristics. Children with down's syndrome are all individuals. This means that each child's health and development will vary widely.

Certain eye conditions are more common in children with Down's syndrome. Learn more about these eye concerns, eye tests and eye clinics for children with Down's syndrome.

Read about how the shape of your eyes can impact your vision. Learn about astigmatism, long-sightedness and short-sightedness.

Find information and advice on how to get glasses for your child or young person, where to get them from and the potential costs. Read more about where repaired or replacing your child or young person's glasses if they get damaged, broken or lost.