Plans and promises: Will the new NHS really be brighter for disabled children?
Earlier this week the NHS’s Long Term Plan was published. It’s a pretty big document and, as I’ve been away, I’ve not had much chance to investigate in depth about …
Category: Autism
School can demoralise autistic students, help me celebrate our neurodivsersity!
Tania’s note: We recently featured a post from autistic teenager, Siena Castellon, about her fabulous anti-bullying work. Siena is now pulling in schools and organisations across the country to support …
ATU Autism scandal: PDA Society calls for Rescue Mission. You can help
If you’ve been following the horrific stories of young people with autism who are locked away or who have died while “resident” in Assessment and Treatment Units or ATUs, you …
“I’ve been bullied at school for most of my life” How Siena’s helping other autistic young people like her
Tania’s note: I really value being able to feature the voice of young people with SEND on SNJ, as we recently did with Lucy, from Ambitious About Autism. Today we’re …
Ambitious about an education: A young autistic woman’s experience
Recently, I took part in an Ambitious About Autism panel debate about the difficulties faced by young autistic people to get the right educational support to reach their potential. It …
Don’t mock my son’s talent just because it’s his autistic gift
We’re not usually mocked for something we’re particularly talented at. Yet today’s guest post, from SEND blogger, itmustbemum, is about just that. Why, she asks, do some people think it’s …
Shocking rise in autistic pupils being excluded from England’s schools
We’ve seen for some time the rise in children with special educational needs and disabilities, particularly autism, who end up being excluded – often illegally – from school because there …
Finding support for raising girls on the autistic spectrum
We’ve written before about girls on the autistic spectrum a few times before and, of course, I am one myself (an old girl!), so it’s a subject close to my …
70% of children with Pathological Demand Avoidance missing out on education
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), a profile of the autistic spectrum, has been increasingly recognised in the medical profession in recent years. However, the same can’t be said for how it …
My autistic son is desperate for a friend, but other kids won’t accept his differences
If, like me, you were a bit ‘different’ at school, you’ll know the loneliness of being the last one picked, the shame of people talking about you unkindly or the …
Parliament autism group calls for more autism training, speedier support, more understanding
A couple of months ago, accompanied by my younger child, I attended the All Party Parliamentary Group on Autism in Westminster, as a witness. We were reassured that the evidence …
Is there meaningful accountability for illegal exclusions?
Over the years Special Needs Jungle has frequently highlighted the unacceptable practice of illegally excluding children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) from school. You can see just how …
What causes autism… what doesn’t?
If your child has been diagnosed with autism and you’re wondering what could have caused it, I would strongly recommend that you do not go searching for the answer on …
10 tips for parenting a child whose behaviour is challenging
Tania’s note: Difficult or challenging behaviour can be one of toughest things you can face as a parent of a child with ASD or ADHD (and other conditions that can …
Why sixty minutes of low-sensory shopping will be bliss for my autistic son and me.
I bet many, many parents of children on the autism spectrum can relate to the hideousness of having your child meltdown in the middle of a large store or shopping …
Would you want your child to be on a national GP autism register?
Would you want your autistic child (or yourself if you’re autistic) to be on a national autism register? The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) says that autistic …
Helping autistic children experience the joy of connection
Recently Lucy has started to experience-share more with us at Bright Futures School. She has come a long, long way from the disengaged girl who started with us back in …
Exploring Autism and Music, a chance to listen, learn and participate
Research into different aspects of autism can reveal many unexpected and interesting findings, which can sometimes help to improve the lives of young people in a practical way. Today we have …
The frustration and heartbreak of Pathological Demand Avoidance
We’ve covered Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), which is a condition on the autistic spectrum, a few times on SNJ and it’s always very popular so we know it’s something that …
A young autistic campaigner asks, What’s ‘normal’ anyway?
I’ve always found normal to be rather dull. But I have children with autism and a diagnosis myself, so maybe I would say that. But what is normal, anyway? And …