H.I.S. BLOG
Opening a closing door
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...
ADHD: a truly complex condition
As you can see from the info-graphic, ADHD is a complicated condition with many presentations. It's not something that your average teacher will either know in detail or understand. It is certainly not a subject that is covered in anywhere near this depth in current...
Coming clean about mental health
I feel this might be the first post of many on this issue. I've been thinking a lot about mental health, what it means for people who are affected and those who support them. You probably know someone who is having difficulties with mental health issues right now. You...
Penny for your thoughts…CBT on point
I think the expression ' penny for 'em?' is a bit old now, but the sentiment behind the words still stands. Seeing someone vacantly staring into space, their mind clearly somewhere else, prompts the innocent question. The day dreamer will usually laugh it off when...
Travelling with your ASD child
Travel with kids can be stressful. There can be plenty of turbulence before you even get on the plane. We were blessed to go away this summer, and I did my homework. I planned an itinerary for the whole family, mainly to ensure that we covered all tastes for beach -...
MANAGING AUTISM WITH NATURE
happyinschool Being outdoors is like therapy for me. My busy mind is paused and I find myself enjoying the colours, sounds and sights. Nature is a demanding hostess, especially when you have a pet to keep an eye on. The ground is like a sweet shop for dogs, giving up...
Resilience for children & young people with autism & ADHD
Creating a calm space for autism parents is an essential part of the #happyinschool project's philosophy. However, some families require practical help them support their children get from point A to point B. Imagine Point A is when you're unable to manage in school,...
Livity School hosts #happyinschool
How has the summer been for you and your family so far? We managed a summer holiday abroad which was mega and I will write about it in a couple of days (still recovering) but first I need to remind you of the last summer #happyinschool session taking place this week....
Supporting ADHD & resilience
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...
How is your local authority doing with SEND?
I recently attended a conference put on by our local authority provider of children's services Achieving for Children. They serve the London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames, the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames and also Windsor and Maidenhead. Achieving for...
Are you a parent with a disabled child, should your employer care?
My piece 'How employers can support working parents of children with hidden disabilities' is published in Diversity Q Magazine! Thoughts and comments welcome. What works for your place of employment, for your employees? Join the conversation with employers, employees,...
Express Yourself – Autism Education & Exploration
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...
SEND Futures Conference
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...
I don’t see the point
"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...
Suzy Rowland, Channel 5 News: Timpson Review on Exclusions
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...
Reviews, Exclude, Recycle
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...
Expert Overload & Imposter Syndrome
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...
Your autism/ADHD tribe
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...
The Brick Wall
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,...
Aim High
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;...
#happyinschool in the Hamptons!
Sounds rather grand doesn't it? Hampton Court Palace isn't far but don't let that fool you. The Hamptons is a lovely place to live and comprises Hampton Village, Hampton Court (home to the palace), Hampton Wick, just a hop from Kingston Upon Thames and Hampton Hill,...
And so, another session ends
Sometimes you just need to let a picture do the talking. Parent SEND workshops can be hard work, intense and tiring. At the #happyinschool project, we're all about honing in on the positive, working with the information we've got and developing practical strategies to...
Uncovering Autism & ADHD: the Black Child’s Perspective
I'm excited to tell you I will be doing a talk at Khembe's Return to Your Roots on Sunday 5th May. The event will be held at the H Suite, Edgbaston, Birmingham. The theme of the talk is "Uncovering Autism & ADHD: The Black Child's Perspective, and it promises to...
Autism Conference The Rose Theatre
It's always a pleasure to share the aims and passion of the #happyinschool project to parents. Being the parent of a child or children with autism or ADHD can be fraught, relentless; you can lose sight of yourself and your power in the rolling procession of...
happyinschool loves the ‘i’ word (inclusion)
One of the many things that inspires me, is the sheer breadth and depth of educational information available to research, analyse, absorb, and form an opinion on. In particular inclusivity in education. Even those two words, 'inclusive & education' can create a...
#happyinschool comes to Twickenham
From the tiny acorn of an idea, to speaking in front of many hundreds of families to share, inform and inspire. For me, it is always about turning heartache into hope, for as many people as possible. Feeling grateful. © Suzy Rowland
Children with SEND are vulnerable to school exclusion
Statistics show that children with special educational needs account for almost half of all exclusions in schools. Or to put it another way, children with S.E.N.D. are six times more likely to be excluded. Guidelines in the S.E.N.D Code of practice and...
Use of medicines to treat autism
Children with autism and intellectual disability are being prescribed medication that has been formulated to treat psychotic conditions like schizophrenia. See link below to an article published in The Conversation below. Many careers ago, I worked in the...
Flyers at the ready
In addition to organising my thoughts, I'm getting my marketing information ready for the Autism Conference in Kingston, UK on March 20. I'd originally made some 'home-spun' flyers in word (I know:) but hopped over to a well-known online marketing shop and knocked up...
Parent Testimonials
"Any parent would be happy to have this workshop to give them a little knowledge and guidance and as R said, I too feel more empowered especially ahead of the initial EHCP discussion" Mrs. B, Surrey. "The sessions are great and engaging" "The graphics and clear, the...