Jumping Jacks Children's Physio

12/06/2025

Good advice from Dr Ranj! If you have any concerns about any delay in your child's development do not hesitate to contact me!

11/06/2025

Have you got some of our Red Book stickers?

If your little one arrived prematurely, you can request a pair of 'Preemie Proud' Red Book stickers as a gentle reminder of your child's early birth for doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers.

In NICU now? Ask at your unit. We've sent out free packs to over three quarters of neonatal units around the UK.

These simple stickers are a gentle but powerful way to remind professionals that your child’s journey began differently and they need to 'correct' their age accordingly.

To get your stickers, just email us at hello@thesmallestthings.org.

Together, we can make sure every premature baby’s story is seen and heard 💜

13/05/2025

This week is UK Mental Health Week🧠💚

As a children's physio, I see every day how physical challenges can impact a child's confidence, independence and emotional well being.

🧠 struggling with movement or pain can lead to frustration, isolation and anxiety about school and social settings
🧠 a child who tires more quickly can feel like they can't join in and keep up with their peers
🧠 physio isn't just about exercise - it's about empowering each individual child to engage with the world around them and live happily

This week I want to remind everyone that
💚 it's OK (and encouraged) to talk about emotions in physio sessions ( that goes for parents and carers too!!)
💚mental health matters just as much as your physical capabilities
💚sometimes a a session spent talking is just as worthwhile as a session spent on physical goals

11/05/2025

For all my amazing patients sitting their year 6 SATs this week x

20/04/2025

SEND course for helping with managing emotions

🧠 FREE ACL Course: Managing Big Emotions in Young People with SEND 🧠

Join a FREE two week course with to help you understand emotional expression and how to manage big emotions in young people with SEND.

📅 Start Date: Thursday 24 April 2025
🕒 Time: 10:00am (2-hour sessions)
📍 Location: Online Live
💰 Fee: Free

Find out more here:
https://courses.aclessex.com/CourseDetailsView.asp?ID1=9000&ID2=294110&ID3=1

20/04/2025

26/03/2025

My favourite toy currently half price at Home Bargains!!! Grab it while you can :)

13/03/2025

This is so perfectly written and sums up how so many of my families are feeling right now

What Happens if Your Child is Too ‘Special’ for Mainstream School but Not ‘Special’ Enough for a Specialist Placement?

Where does your child fit if mainstream school isn’t meeting their needs, but they don’t qualify for a specialist placement?

This is the difficult reality for many families navigating the education system. A child may struggle in mainstream settings—perhaps due to autism, ADHD, dyslexia, sensory processing issues, or anxiety—yet not meet the strict criteria for a specialist school. They are caught in the gap: too ‘special’ for one, not ‘special’ enough for the other.

The consequences can be serious. In mainstream schools, these children may face constant overwhelm, leading to anxiety, meltdowns, disengagement, or behavioural issues. They may be bright but unable to thrive in a rigid, fast-paced environment that doesn’t accommodate their learning style or sensory needs. Teachers, stretched thin by large class sizes and limited resources, may struggle to provide the individual support they require.

Meanwhile, specialist placements—designed for children with more profound needs—often have strict entry criteria. If a child is verbal, academically able, or doesn’t display severe behavioural difficulties, they may not ‘qualify’, even if they can’t cope in mainstream education. Parents are left fighting for assessments, diagnoses, and support, only to be told their child isn’t ‘struggling enough’ to warrant additional help.

So, what happens?

Too often, these children fall through the cracks. They may mask their struggles until they reach burnout. They may be labelled as ‘naughty’ or ‘lazy’ rather than recognised as needing adjustments. Some end up in part-time timetables, excluded, or withdrawn from school entirely because the system simply doesn’t work for them.

Parents, meanwhile, are left exhausted—battling for support, attending endless meetings, and being told to ‘wait and see’ while their child’s confidence and well-being suffer. Some turn to homeschooling, not because they want to, but because they have no other choice. Others try alternative settings such as forest schools, online learning, or private tutors—if they can afford it.

So how do we bridge this gap?

There needs to be more flexible education models—hybrid schooling, smaller nurture units, or better-supported mainstream inclusion. More schools need the training, funding, and willingness to adapt their approach so that children who don’t fit a rigid system aren’t left behind. Parents need to be listened to, not treated as obstacles for advocating for their child’s needs.

Most importantly, we need to stop categorising children as ‘special enough’ or ‘not special enough’. Every child deserves an education where they feel safe, valued, and able to learn in a way that works for them.

03/03/2025

Thinking of everyone finding out their secondary school places today!

18/02/2025

Whilst looking for something for a patient of mine I came across this inclusive bike riding center in Brentwood.

Saturday Inclusive BikeKlubz
For children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities, we offer our inclusive off-road group ride every Saturday between 11am and 1pm.

We have two groups: one for those competent at riding a two-wheeled bike; the other for those still mastering a bike or requiring a trike.

Parents, carers, friends and siblings are welcome to join in.

https://www.trailnet.org.uk/inclusive-cycling/

16/02/2025

Great new accessible pool lift at The Brentwood Center

12/02/2025

Our next online DLA clinic is taking place on the 13th March from 10am to 12.30pm. During the clinic one of our Family Support Advisers will talk you through the form step by step and will give you detailed guidance on how to complete the form. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions. For more details and to book a place please see our poster.