Autism education & advocacy
Firstly autism is not a mental health disorder; it’s a neurological condition that affects the brain. Autistic people are different, but that difference need not be a disadvantage. Read that again. Autistic people are individual and their autism presents itself as uniquely and individually as they are. In my opinion, a person’s autism is so … Continue reading Opening a closing door
It’s well-evidenced that the parts of the brain responsible for organisation and forward planning, are impaired in children and young people with ADHD. This is in addition to possible emotional regulation issues, anxiety, impulsivity, learning disability or even autistic traits. (It is common for ADHD to co-exist with autism). If the anxiety wasn’t there at … Continue reading Supporting ADHD & resilience
One of the voluntary organisations I work in partnership with to deliver the #happyinschool project is Kingston based Express CIC. Express is a user-led voluntary organisation set up in 2012 with the aim of building a better future for young autistic people in the community, encompassing Kingston Upon Thames, Richmond, Surbiton, Ewell, Tolworth, Claygate, Long … Continue reading Express Yourself – Autism Education & Exploration
I attended the SEND Futures Conference organised by Richmond & Kingston’s provider of Children’s Services, Achieving for Children. Over 325 teachers, SENDCOs, voluntary sector organisations and charities, attended the spacious venue at Twickenham Stoop. There were presentations on a number of issues including Whole School Send and SCERTS (a framework for delivering intervention for children … Continue reading SEND Futures Conference
“I don’t see the point?” have you ever heard a young person in your care say this? Your first reaction might be to think they’re rude or defiant. But what if they are on the autistic spectrum? It’s not the obvious thing most people think about when they imagine what a young person with … Continue reading I don’t see the point
A good indicator of an inclusive school or successful whole school approach to SEND is surely the degree to children with SEN are excluded or repeatedly excluded from school. Like incarceration, there appears to be a high likelihood of a repeat exclusion if a school has decided to make the decision to exclude once. The … Continue reading Suzy Rowland, Channel 5 News: Timpson Review on Exclusions
Tuesday, saw the publication of the Timpson Review on exclusions. As I was replying to emails in my PJs on Tuesday morning, I got an email from Channel 5 News, no less, asking me to comment on the review. After a brief telephone chat with news editor, they decided to do a face-to-face interview at … Continue reading Reviews, Exclude, Recycle
