Altogether Extraordinary

25/02/2026

Opportunity for autistic adults to shape the future of healthcare:

“To whom it may concern,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to share a unique and high-impact opportunity for autistic individuals to participate as Co-Teachers and Subject-Matter Experts in a pioneering research project titled The Autistic Simulation Co-Produced Study (ASCoP).

This study, in partnership with Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust and the University of Kent, aims to improve healthcare outcomes for autistic patients by training resident doctors through high-fidelity, co-produced simulation. We are seeking experts-by-experience to ensure this training is authentic, respectful, and grounded in real-world perspectives.



The Role: Subject-Matter Expert & Co-Teacher
As a co-teacher, your lived experience will be central to the study’s integrity. Responsibilities include:

Co-Production Workshop: Attendance at a half-day preparation session to finalise learning outcomes and develop the clinical simulation scenarios.
Simulation & Teaching: Acting as a simulated patient and facilitating discussions during resident doctor training sessions.
Research Interview: Participation in a one-to-one online interview (via Microsoft Teams) to reflect on your experiences.


Key Dates & Commitment

Main Teaching Sessions: 11th May and 12th May 2026
Pre-Teaching Requirements: Attendance at a half-day workshop and an initial recruitment meeting prior to the teaching dates
Post-Intervention Interviews: Online interview (30–60 minutes)
Total Commitment: Approximately 15–20 hours


Compensation and Support

Competitive financial remuneration for your time and expertise
Travel expenses reimbursed up to £20 per day
Lunch provided during on-site sessions
A neurodiversity-affirming environment guided by the Autistic SPACE Framework (Sensory, Predictability, Acceptance, Communication, Empathy)


How to Apply
If you, or someone in your network, is an autistic individual passionate about improving medical education, please contact Dr Luke Murphy directly at luke.murphy10@nhs.net or 01322 428100 ext 5799.



We would be very grateful if you could forward this opportunity to anyone who may be interested in contributing to meaningful systemic change for the autistic community.

Kind regards,

Dr Luke Murphy
Chief Investigator / Simulation Teaching Fellow
Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust”

05/12/2025

Have your say on the government’s white paper on SEND

The Department for Education has released further dates in its series of ‘SEND engagement’ events - launching a new “SEND reform national conversation” just weeks before the White Paper on SEND reform is expected early next year.

Most of the in-person sessions are already fully booked, and the newly added online events each focus on one of the Government’s recently announced “five principles” for reform. An online form is also available for submitting views.

While it is important that the Government is open to hearing the views of parents and carers, with the White Paper now imminent it is difficult to see how engagement at this stage could meaningfully influence proposals that are likely already well developed.

In our recent letter to the Education Secretary, we also highlighted that while the Government’s “five principles” are important, they are already reflected in existing SEND law and statutory guidance. What is missing are the principles of legal entitlement and enforceable accountability, which are both essential to making the system work for children, young people and their families.

🔗Register for the engagement events, or submit your views online, via the links we've posted in the comments.

09/11/2025

15/09/2025

14/09/2025

A fantastic opportunity.

If you experience or disorder or any other , check out a new series of calming and mindful online drawing workshops I’m offering between now and December for BFRB UK & Ireland, designed to help you take important time for yourself to refocus, relax and recharge. I have lived experience of skin picking disorder and use drawing to refocus the condition. Each session is stand along including family friendly Saturday sessions for younger children. I will guide different approaches to drawing, taking inspiration from the work of different artists. These sessions are designed with BFRBs in mind, and will help reduce anxiety by channelling attention through simple yet captivating drawing activities. Bring simple art materials that can be adapted to whatever you have at home. There will be freedom to experiment with your own drawings and have fun. No previous drawing experience is necessary, and family members are very welcome to join

Book here

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/lizatkinartist/1845315

11/09/2025

A dedicated autism mental health service im Humber NHS Trust

We are proud to announce the launch of the Autism Mental Health Support Service (AMHSS) - a dedicated team working with autistic individuals to help improve mental health, reduce the need for hospital admissions and support timely, well-planned discharges.

The team includes occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, psychologists and nurses. All of which have received specialist training in autism.

The innovative approach of centring care around the individual and consistently meeting the needs of autistic service users ensures that every touch point of Trust mental health services will be autism-aware.

More: https://www.humber.nhs.uk/news/new-autism-mental-health-support-service-launched-in-hull-and-east-riding/

19/08/2025

13/08/2025

08/08/2025

Highly recommend using Christelke’s services if you should need - a passionate advocate and a SEND patent with so much experience and knowledge!

Don’t you just hate it when you buy something and then you have to fix it? I spent a good part of yesterday doing just that: fixing seams, reinforcing trouser elastic that’s already come loose, securing a band that flips over. It’s annoying and time consuming 😡 and necessary if I want to wear it and keep my butt covered!

It made me think about how often parents have to fix the work of others, particularly when it comes to EHCP’s. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an EHCP that didn’t need some corrections at least. And in many cases just had to be rewritten! I also don’t know any profession where routinely sending out such poor quality work is not a cause for dismissal. And yet, when it comes to children’s specialist support, this is the norm.

Things that annoy me:
- getting a child’s name wrong
- “mum says”. It is unprofessional and lazy. Use better words and people’s names for goodness sake!
- outdated information. Seeing stuff relating to a 5 year old in a 16 year old’s EHCP sends my blood pressure through the roof! Hello Annual Reviews!? 🙄

The worst part: parents often don’t have the skills or time to do this. Many find it confusing and overwhelming. Or worry about getting it wrong. Or simply don’t want to - which is perfectly reasonable as case officers are actually paid to get this right, not parents!

But we do it because if we don’t, it won’t get fixed. And like my trousers, it will cause drama when you least expect it and put you in a tricky position. So we just get on with it. We just pile on more responsibility on top of the million things we already do. Because our children matter.

What winds you up about EHCP’s? Or things that you need to fix to support your child because other people don’t?

🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼

Hi! If you are new here: I’m Christelle and I help parents learn some skills to be formidable parent advocates for their child with additional needs. I also make useful stuff that will help you with the SENDmin (“SEND Admin” = SENDmin - yes I made that up but it works 😆)

06/08/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/16tT6WbpBK/?mibextid=wwXIfr

A social group in East Kent for adults who are Autistic and/or have ADHD. Our aim is to provide an inclusive, welcoming space where we can be ourselves - and embrace our neurodiversity. Upon joining, you’ll be invited to our WhatsApp group. We accept self-diagnosed/awaiting formal diagnosis. Membe...

12/07/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1EuNTZcJHo/?mibextid=wwXIfr

28/06/2025