Regular readers of the blog will long know that I am a huge proponent of allowing a child as much access to their special interest as possible. Special interests are processed in the same part of the brain that neurotypicals process love, and therefore release endorphins which allow children and young people to relax, therefore reducing their anxiety levels. Incorporating those special interests into every day life can therefore be transformative. If a child is relaxed it makes activities they normally find challenging, much easier and potentially even enjoyable. New pathways are then formed ..read more

As a parent, worrying comes with the territory. After all there are a million things each day that could go wrong, and human nature is to protect our young from all of those things. As the parent of a child with SEND, those worries are multiplied a million times over. You worry not only about those things that all parents do, but about whether your child will get access to the educational, emotional and health support they need. You worry about whether your child will be understood, by their family, their teachers and their peers. You worry whether they will be accepted for who they are, you ..read more

After such a long break from school, children are likely to fall into two camps. Those who can’t wait to dive back in, see their friends and resume and semblance of normality, and those who are anxious about doing so.  For children and young people with autism, that anxiety is likely to be compounded by the fear of change. For children who can find even small changes difficult we cannot underestimate the need to prepare and support them for the ways that school will be different and to reassure them about the ways in which school will be the same. As teachers what can we do to help: Visu ..read more

A child stands up and says they are frightened. They express their fears. They open their hearts. They tell, tentatively at first, wondering if they’ll be heard. A child sits and shares worries. Apologises for them. Tells you they are irrational. Then sits and sobs, their heart breaking in a thousand pieces. The words come tumbling out one after another. They lay awake at night wondering if you’ll believe them, if you’ll know just how hard these words are to say. They wonder if you’ll dismiss them or if you’ll find a way to help. They tell you they can no longer cope, they beg yo ..read more

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