A WINCHESTER woman has contributed to a ground-breaking new guide to help parents with special needs children.

Joanne Suffield, 23, of Saxon Road, has written about her experiences as a young adult with learning difficulties in the guide, which aims to support parents from the moment their child is diagnosed as having special needs.

In the guide, Joanne says: "Before I was born, and at my birth, I had difficulties that caused some damage to my brain. This means that I cannot speak so clearly, or learn as fast as other people.

"But I do have a lot I want to talk about and I have learned a special sign language called Makaton. This helps me to communicate, but I still get frustrated when I have a lot to say and people can't always understand me.

"I enjoy my life very much and I think I have achieved a lot. I want to do more, make more friends and try many more new things."

Her experience is one of many that have been collated in the new Parent to Parent on Special Needs guide, which is designed for use by professionals to give clear information on conditions ranging from hearing impairment to aspergers syndrome.

The guide consists of sheets written by professionals and parents, offering help and advice.

It also contains sections on issues that affect all families, such as bereavement and teenage depression, information contributed by young adults with special needs, and a list of helpful organisations.

Parent to Parent on Special Needs has been produced by Gosport-based charity Positive Parenting Public-ations in partnership with The Shaftesbury Society, a national Christian charity, and Poole Borough, where the guide was launched recently.

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