Start here!
If you are new to Netbuddy, this quick guide will give you an overview of the site and how it can help you...
Netbuddy is a 'by you, for you' resource full of handy tips and bright ideas from parents, carers and professionals with experience of special needs. It's a place to share simple, clever solutions with other people who are facing similar challenges – from bed wetting to job-seeking
Find a tip
If you are looking for tips, the best place to start is get a tip where you will find the tips broken down into these general categories:
• Dressing & personal grooming
• Health
• Hygiene
• Family
Each of these categories is organised into further sections, for example in 'Everyday stuff' you'll find tips on Equipment & aids, Food & eating, sleeping and getting out & about plus many more.
We add new tips daily and we regularly create new tips sections, so do check back if you haven't visited the site for a while.
Share a tip
If you would like to share a tip or a break-through moment you've had, simply go to give a tip and write it in the box. Don't worry about wording it perfectly, as we can always edit it for you. Choose a category for your tip, and let us know if you'd like your name to appear or not. Then submit your tip.
Your tip may not appear on the site immediately, but when it does, it will be on the homepage. If we don't publish it, it's probably simply because we've already got a similar tip on the site. Please don't let that put you off sending in further tips.
Whenever you share a tip with Netbuddy, you will be automatically entered in our free Tipster of the Month prize draw, which is a nice little bonus!
Forums
If you can't find what you're looking for in the tips section, or you just want to bounce an idea around with other people, head for the forums. To join in any of the conversations or start your own thread, simply click on the blue Register link in the top right-hand corner of the page. Choose a forum name and a password, and you're ready to go.
The Netbuddy forum is the place to discuss anything from head banging to hair cuts. Don't be shy, just jump straight in. We've got a team of site champions who are always ready to welcome new people and help make you feel at home.
Our Ask an expert forum is a fantastic free resource if you have a specific question to ask a professional. So far, our site expert forum includes an:
Adult Learning Disability Occupational Therapist
Help for families without a diagnosis
Behavioural support practitioner
Adaptive technology & computer advice
One of the findings of our Dad & Me survey was that male carers have few places to discuss the issues that directly affect them. That's why we've started a Dads talk forum. So if you're a dad, please do introduce yourself and join in.
Info packs
If you are looking for information on a specific subject – accessible holidays perhaps or special needs apps for your iPad – you'll find our regularly updated info packs really useful. They have been put together with help from specialists in each subject, and feature recommendations from parents, carers and learning disability professionals.
As always, we really value your input so please tell us anything you would like to see added to any of the info packs.
To date, the subjects covered in our info packs include:
