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Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

Original poster

Anyone got a child who needs constant stimulation but also can’t do anything?

7 replies

Newsenmum · 23/10/2026 15:34

Honestly it’s so exhausting. He barely sleeps as it is (we are under paediatrics before people start suggesting things) and he needs constant timetabled activities. Any free time or trying to get him to play by himself with his many toys and activities is met with panic/destruction/challenging behaviour. He is the same at school - has a 1:1 and timetable which he follows rigidly. But also tbere js only so much we can actually do! When it’s pouring with rain we can’t exactly go to soft play or cinema. He has a younger sibling who basically gets ignored. Mum guilt time.

Half term fun!

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roaringdragon · 23/10/2026 16:37

A bit of spontaneity would be lovely, wouldn’t it?

If the medication DS is taking doesn’t completely work, has the paed considered trying another medication either as well or instead of what he is already on? Either all the time or only for bad nights.

If short breaks doesn’t work for DS (they wouldn’t work for any of mine either), I would look at pursuing PA hours. This can be more tailored to DS’s individual needs.

Original poster
Newsenmum · 23/10/2026 16:31

roaringdragon · 23/10/2026 16:19

DS1&3 need a lot of structure and routine. They need to know exactly what is happening an when. They can’t cope with change and can’t be left to their own devices/to play by themselves at all. We have a whiteboard with a detailed colour-coded weekly timetable on.

They also have PA/carer hours so that helps, and some of their EOTIS packages continue during the holidays which helps.

Have you had social care assessments? A carers assessment for you and an assessment by the children with disabilities team for DS. You could pursue funding for a PA to take DS out or to do activities at home.

Is the paed looking at medication/other medication if already on some to help DS sleep? If not, I would be pushing for that and if they refuse, I would ask for a referral to a specialist sleep clinic.

For DC2, if you haven’t already, have a look at your local young carers service and Sibs.

In terms of getting anything down around the house, is there anything you can outsource? Do you work?

Thanks for your response:)

yep he’s on medication so it’s definitely better than it was but obviously bad days are hard.
No work thank god although I feel sad/bad about that sometimes. Not for this thread though.

It’s ok during term time as he’s at a good school, so it’s the holidays where we struggle. We’ve tried those short break things before and he’s struggled so much and I’ve only been able to leave him 30 mins maximum so never feels worth the trouble tbh. Feel a bit overwhelmed and defeated when I think about other childcare options.
It just sucks right? Im sooo jealous of families that can just hang out.

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Original poster
Newsenmum · 23/10/2026 16:27

DaveAndTheRock · 23/10/2026 15:35

How old is he?

Seven

OP posts:
roaringdragon · 23/10/2026 16:19

DS1&3 need a lot of structure and routine. They need to know exactly what is happening an when. They can’t cope with change and can’t be left to their own devices/to play by themselves at all. We have a whiteboard with a detailed colour-coded weekly timetable on.

They also have PA/carer hours so that helps, and some of their EOTIS packages continue during the holidays which helps.

Have you had social care assessments? A carers assessment for you and an assessment by the children with disabilities team for DS. You could pursue funding for a PA to take DS out or to do activities at home.

Is the paed looking at medication/other medication if already on some to help DS sleep? If not, I would be pushing for that and if they refuse, I would ask for a referral to a specialist sleep clinic.

For DC2, if you haven’t already, have a look at your local young carers service and Sibs.

In terms of getting anything down around the house, is there anything you can outsource? Do you work?

DaveAndTheRock · 23/10/2026 15:35

How old is he?

Returnedtoshosp · 23/10/2026 15:35

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Original poster
Newsenmum · 23/10/2026 15:34

Also actually getting anything done around the house is impossible

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