We held a workshop as a continuation of our work exploring ‘do you know how I feel?’, ‘what is emotional wellbeing?’ and how might emotions be expressed and responded to when people are communicating with us in ways other than words. In this 1.5 hour Zoom workshop, facilitated by NAC and Story Sharing, we shared with what we have learntRead more

The acronym NAC stands for 'Non-verbal Affective Care'. An alternative and equally appropriate alternative name would be 'Nurturing Affective Care'. The name ‘Non-verbal Affective Care’ (NAC) was chosen after much deliberation because we wanted something that was catchy and also descriptive of what we do. The words Non-verbal Affective Care create the acronym NAC and provide a handy short wayRead more

This article examines what is known about depression and low mood, how it may affect children and adults with severe and profound intellectual disabilities and how it can be treated. What is low mood? Low mood is an emotional state characterised by sadness, anxiety, low self-esteem, tiredness, and frustration.Sometimes low mood can be brought on by external factors such asRead more

We are thrilled to announce that here at NAC we have a brand new Patron of the organisation; former Chelsea and Charlton professional footballer, equal rights activist, multi-million pound fundraiser, and Royal ambassador Michael Ambrose. About Michael From his early life on a milk round in Poplar, to a professional football career, Michael Ambrose has shown perseverance and dedication. SinceRead more

People on the autism spectrum often have difficulties with the experience of being in sync with neurotypical people, and vice versa. Without good-enough synchrony, it is difficult for us to play together. And without the feeling of togetherness that flourishes in playful synchrony, therapeutic co-regulation is hard to achieve. Client-centred therapy approaches tend to support growth towards self-regulation; but thisRead more

Resources, information and training to support people with severe and profound intellectual disabilities and complex health needs. Supported Loving is a network run by Choice Support specifically looking at sexuality and intimate relationship support for people with learning / intellectual disabilities. The extensive range of topics their webinars cover include: Delivering Relationship and Sex Education (RSE) for people with complex healthRead more

This article explores the meaning of regulation and the role it plays in wellbeing. The term regulation means to set or adjust or control the amount, degree, or rate of something, or put another way to control or maintain the rate or speed of (a machine or process) so that it operates properly. In humans, regulation is the ability toRead more

People with severe and profound intellectual or learning disabilities are at high risk of experiencing trauma. Understanding how trauma effects the body and nervous system can point us in the direction of what we can do to help ease suffering and promote healing. "Trauma is not the story of something that happened back then. It's the current imprint of thatRead more

Interactions with people with profound intellectual disability are often described as difficult, challenging and problematic but they can also be enjoyable, fulfilling and rewarding. While they may be considered complex and demanding, I often think they are beautiful in their simplicity. A swan metaphor comes to mind when I think of these interactions. Just as a swan gracefully moves onRead more

Resources to help you get started with sensory activities. Ideas included cover sensory art and craft, sensory exploration, sensory cooking, sensory poems, resource ideas, app ideas, sensory activities and sensory pass the parcel. Sarah’s Sensory Starter Pack is by Sarah Hall and Flo Longhorn. Sarah runs Willows Sensory Service and Flo Longhorn describes herself as a sensory being, a retiredRead more

How to support children and adults with severe and profound intellectual disabilities with the issues of bereavement, loss and grief. Why should we talk about bereavement, loss and grief with people who have severe or profound intellectual disabilities? Because no one is immune to these issues, they are part of all our lives regardless of our cognitive understanding or level ofRead more

Predictability can have a powerful impact on emotional wellbeing and we often feel safer when we have a sense of routine. For children and adults with severe and profound intellectual disability, having a sense of predictability and consistency can help to increase feelings of safety and security. Consistent, repeated routines can provide a sense of order and familiarity to theRead more

Quick and easy stress busters for times when things are overwhelming There is considerable evidence for part of our nervous system called the vagus nerve – which connects the gut to the brain – playing a vital role in our wellbeing. The vagus nerve is an important part of the parasympathetic nervous system. It carries signals to and from the brain andRead more

Enhancing wellbeing and independence for young people with profound and multiple learning difficulties: Lives Lived Well is a unique resource book which explores what well-being, community participation and independence mean to young people with profound and multiple learning difficulties. Bringing together results of an extensive survey of over 120 schools worldwide who teach young people with PMLD, the authors presentRead more

One of the hardest things about being a play specialist is that very few people take me seriously. Almost everything I do looks or sounds frivolous, unimportant and often downright silly. Very few people would watch a group of children playing pat-a-cake or simply clapping, for instance, and comment on the huge potential for neurological growth and life-long health. VeryRead more

People with profound impairments are not often discussed in terms of their playfulness. In fact, I’m still shocked by how few books and articles in this area even mention play, as I believe play is an important key to enriching the life of someone who has few means of expressing themselves and unlocking their character, strengths and preferences. I haveRead more

For anyone who doesn’t use words, interacting through sound and gesture is immensely important in creating relationships and fostering a sense of agency. Through these interactions, that don’t depend on language, someone with PMLD can make choices: whether to communicate, who with, and how; can experience themselves acting in and on the world, can feel and hear themselves reflected backRead more

A FREE short on demand course showing how almost any activity or interaction can support emotional wellbeing, learning and development. Many people with severe and profound intellectual disabilities and complex needs spend a lot of their day having personal and medical care needs attended to. The course explains how awareness, attunement, responsiveness and time are key concepts and practices forRead more

On demand course - watch at anytime. The emotional wellbeing needs of children and adults with severe and profound intellectual disabilities can often go unrecognised. Science has shown us that there is a wealth of natural, non-invasive things we can do that involve interactions, the senses and the body to help promote emotional wellbeing and protect against mental health problems. You willRead more

This article will describe and support the contention that 'age-appropriateness' can be a potentially tyrannous practice which may deny a voiceless minority experiences, activities and resources that can support learning and enhance lives. When practitioners in services for children and adults with severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties (SLD or PMLD) discuss a new intervention, a criterion which mayRead more