Support for SEND

07/04/2026

I have been called 'too soft' before - always by people who achieve compliance through 'force'.

Forced compliance - however - does not build understanding, connection and trust.

And forced compliance does not earn respect.

07/04/2026

07/04/2026

I haven't deliberately meant to; however, I have been lax, of late, in sharing the Makaton sign of the week - which I will be getting back on top of - and, as a consequence, lax in sharing with new followers that I am also a fully qualified Makaton Tutor, licensed to provide all standardised Makaton Workshops!

If I can support your setting or work place to become more inclusive, please get in touch!

07/04/2026

05/04/2026

If you work in a toxic work environment and you and your colleagues continue to fill in the anonymous staff survey every time it is presented - in the desperate hope that honest feedback will promote positive change in your workplace - but it never does - and so you suspect your surveys are, either, always just binned or, worse, doctored, in some way - this will likely resonate with you, as well as boil your blood, in a similar manner...

The government recently conducted a national conversation regards how to fix the broken SEND system.
Attendees to conversation events - however - reported that the principles of the conversation were already set out by the government, and unrelated questions and comments were unwelcome.
So not really a 'converstaion', at all!

The government then produced SEND reform proposals based on the outcomes of the 'conversation', and they opened up a twelve week consultation period for the nation to have their say on the proposals.
What they didn't tell the nation, though, was that some of the reforms had already been decided on - so views and opinions on those reforms wouldn't even count.
So not really a proper 'consultation', at all!

And, finally, where members of society know they can contact their local MP with different issues and concerns; those contacting their MPs with concerns about the proposed SEND reforms have been told by certain MPs that the government have actually issued them with 'written suggestions' about what they would like to hear as feedback.
So talk about filtering!

And there's us thinking we live in a democracy with a freedom of speech!🤦🏼‍♀️

If you would like to find out more about how concerned voices are being 'edited', see Measure what Matters or follow the links to articles below.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EauMJY1L3/

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1LefpzQ1u8/

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14barqGqH8R/

03/04/2026

If, like myself, you have multiple autistic children who are so different from each other that when they interact they, typically, trigger each other - I'm sending love today! 💜

Parenting isn't easy. Parenting an autistic child/children certainly isn't easy. And parenting autistic children, whose needs are chalk and cheese, DEFINITELY isn't easy!💛

In the coming days, I'll share ways in which we try to navigate family life based around such differences; however, today, I'm just sending solidarity, if you, too, walk this tight rope!💜

31/03/2026

This morning, I bumped into the parent of two autistic pupils that I used to support, and the parent, very proudly, told me how well her, now, [very] adult, children were doing.💜

This was really wonderful to hear and our conversation certainly made me look back on some very, very fond memories.💛

In fact, supporting these particular children - when I was much younger - is when my passion for supporting individuals with SEND, first developed.💜

The only negative part of the morning was when my own children calculated just how many years ago I had worked with these children and the answer was nearly 20! 🫣

31/03/2026

Today marks the beginning of World Autism Acceptance Month 💛📣

We’d love for you to share photos of the people in your life who make you proud in the comments below* 🫶

Throughout April, we’ll be challenging common myths and misconceptions about autism. This year, we’re putting a FULL STOP to misinformation about autism and neurodiversity by joining Autism Alliance UK’s “What Acceptance Means to Me” campaign.

The campaign invites everyone to reflect on what true autism acceptance looks like—shining a light on the barriers autistic people still face, tackling misinformation, and celebrating how acceptance can transform lives.

**All pictures shared will be used in our Autism Acceptance highlights reel on social media to mark the end of the week. .

31/03/2026

The National Education Union argues, "The inclusion money will equate to a part-time teaching assistant for the average primary school, and two teaching assistants for the average secondary." - BBC

The National Education Union says schools need more funding to be able to make all classrooms inclusive.

30/03/2026

As PANDA states, a 'must read' from Cerebra and a statement that rings very true for us.

When the system meant to help becomes the source of harm - a must read from the excellent Cerebra.

A new report has a name for something too many of us have lived through - “Systems Generated Trauma.”

It describes how disabled children and their families are being deeply harmed by the very systems - health, education, social care - that are supposed to support them.

Instead of help, many parents face suspicion, blame, and constant battles just to get their child’s needs met.

The research, based on over 1,200 parent carers, found that most families experienced more distress from dealing with services than from major life traumas like bereavement, illness, or domestic violence.

The result? Exhaustion, financial strain, lost trust, and in some cases, utter despair.

Even “trauma-informed” policies rarely mention the trauma caused by these systems.

The report calls this institutional moral indifference - a deep unwillingness to fix the harm that’s already been shown to exist.

Parents are calling for real change:
- Public bodies must acknowledge system caused trauma.
- Work with families to redesign harmful policies.
- Build empathy, trust, and accountability into every part of the process.

It’s time to move beyond words and make support systems truly supportive!

https://cerebra.org.uk/systems-generated-trauma/

29/03/2026

POSITIVE attributes I have acquired, over time, being a parent to [my] autistic children.

1) I have a greater level of patience because I have learned from experience that demonstrating impatience towards my children really only results in negative consequences.

2) I am better at applying foresight and considering what the consequences of my actions, on others, will be because I am so used to considering how my children will think/feel/react.

3) When I make mistakes and deal with things incorrectly, I am better at admitting fault and saying sorry because this is good modelling.

4) When my children make mistakes, I am more aware of the need for their nervous system to be regulated, again, before talking through what happened.
This extends to when I, or others, make mistakes, also.

5) I am better at saying no to others, when I know something will make my children feel uncomfortable.
I am better at saying no to things that make me feel uncomfortable, as a result.

6) I always try to consider what other people may have going on in their lives, rather than making prejudgements.

7) I have far more understanding of hidden disabilities, and I never assume that because somebody doesn't look disabled they cannot be disabled.

8) I have far more understanding of neurodiversity and far more consideration that everybody experiences things differently.

9) I am far more confident to respectfully challenge other's opinions - regards parenting/autism/behaviour etc - if I disagree with what is being said.

10) I focus on 'the bigger picture' now and am confident in justifying my/our choices based upon that bigger picture.
I(e my daughter won't achieve 9 GCSEs through our home education curriculum but home education was necessary to improve her mental health and well-being.)