Autism education & advocacy
“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
Arrived back from doing a huge talk in Birmingham at Khembe’s Return to Your Roots about autism and ADHD and their impact on Black children who are often diagnosed later or misdiagnosed (Institute of Education) and are pretty near the top of the exclusions table (Department for Education). I set up the #happyinschool project less … Continue reading Expert Overload & Imposter Syndrome
A recent group of #happyinschool-ers enjoyed the project so much, in particular the friendship they provided for each other, they decided to set up a WhatsApp group. Think about that for a minute. They opted to stay in contact, rather than drift off to continue their struggle alone, like lily pads on a lake. They … Continue reading Your autism/ADHD tribe
Ahh, the brick wall. You know you’ve hit one when everything you do points you right back to where you started. Well, I’m not a magician (although some would argue to the contrary), but I believe the brick wall is an illusion, one designed to keep you in your place, on the back foot, in … Continue reading The Brick Wall
So many children and young people are disadvantaged by their learning difficulties or neurological difference. I believe that every child or young person should be encouraged to be the best they can, supported, stretched. Praised for their efforts and achievement; there is always space to grow, learn all of which can improve self-esteem and a … Continue reading Aim High
