The Nystagmus Network logo and the words 'parent power'

Parent Power is back!

Thanks to a grant from our friends at the Thomas Pocklington Trust, the Nystagmus Network is delighted to be able to offer parents and carers of children and young people with nystagmus the opportunity to attend one of a brand new series of Parent Power webinars.

Each webinar will introduce parents to the special educational needs support available in schools and early years settings and empower you to access it for your child. We’ll even introduce you to EHC plans.

Each session will be led by Karen, a qualified and experienced trainer from IPSEA (the Independent Provider of Special Education Advice), supported by the charity’s volunteer education advocate, Claire and Sue from the staff team.

The one day webinars (10am to 2.45pm) are FREE and will be held online from November, 2021 through to March 2022, so there’s bound to be one that suits your schedule.

Places on the next two workshops are already open for booking.

Book your place for Parent Power on Friday 14 January here

Book your place for Parent Power on Friday 11 February here

Members of the Nystagmus Network can request advice from our volunteer education advocate, Claire or ask for a referral to our Education Advocacy Service for one to one support with casework.

children point to a computer screen

Notes from the January Parent Forum

The Nystagmus Network runs regular virtual get togethers for parents and carers on Zoom. Here’s Sue’s report on the January event, which focused on homeschooling.

It was lovely to see Mums and Dads on the Nystagmus Network Parents’ Forum this month. You’re all doing a great job on the homeschooling front, but I think it’s fair to say we’re all looking forward to some warmer weather, when we can get the children back outside, and to schools reopening, too. 

We covered topics including resources, creative activities, down time, eye health and screen use and EHC plans. Here are just a few follow up notes which I hope will be useful. 

Homeschool  BBC Bitesize – learning resources for all Key Stages and those downloadable timetables  

Homeschooling and nystagmus: read Nadine’s blog post

Eye health and screen time Association of Optometrists’ advice on screen time and eye health

Specsavers’ information on children’s eye health and screen time 

The 20-20-20 rule explained by Fight for Sight in this BBC article

SEN support at school IPSEA online courses for parents are really helpful with the EHCP process or if you need to prepare an appeal. The next EHCP masterclass for parents is on 9 February and there are lots more online learning opportunities.

The Nystagmus Network offers an education advocacy service for parents who are members of the charity. This is one to one bespoke support provided by our IPSEA trained volunteers, Frances and Claire. Membership subscription is £25 per year. Please let me know if you’d like to be referred to our education advocates.

General information for parents You can download a whole range of information for parents and carers from our website.

Please keep an eye on our Facebook page for all our latest news and information and, if you haven’t already, please join our Facebook group for parents.

And finally … please remember  we’re only an email or a phone call away.
I look forward to seeing you at the next parent forum.

If you’d like to join the next Nystagmus Parents’ Forum, please contact us here.