This is such a brilliant blog, backed by personal experience, research, genetics, parental and educational factors and even changes in nutrition.
A 787% rise in diagnosis is phenomenal, and as a society we have a responsibility to better resource this area so future generations have more hope, less stigma and more resources. The children are our future!
Thanks for this Rosie - my 11 year old son was finally diagnosed with autism (after 4 long years wending our way through the NHS assessment system as we couldn't afford to try the private route) and though within our immediate family (my partner, my son and our younger daughter) it's felt really positive and helpful finally having the diagnosis and a lens and language to better explain his struggles, it's also meant questions from other, especially older, family members, about *why* he's autistic. There's so much in this piece that will help me to navigate some of those conversations.
Plus, it's a good reminder to go easy on myself - like you say, there are some wonderful things about the SEND journey with your child but also so much of it is very very hard. Really appreciated your insight and care in writing this 😊
This is such a brilliant blog, backed by personal experience, research, genetics, parental and educational factors and even changes in nutrition.
A 787% rise in diagnosis is phenomenal, and as a society we have a responsibility to better resource this area so future generations have more hope, less stigma and more resources. The children are our future!
Agreed, I was genuinely shocked when I started doing the research for this article. It makes the funding for SEND education look entirely pitiful!
Thanks for sharing the research with us, and highlighting the struggles so clearly - especially as someone who at times feels them keenly too x
Thanks for this Rosie - my 11 year old son was finally diagnosed with autism (after 4 long years wending our way through the NHS assessment system as we couldn't afford to try the private route) and though within our immediate family (my partner, my son and our younger daughter) it's felt really positive and helpful finally having the diagnosis and a lens and language to better explain his struggles, it's also meant questions from other, especially older, family members, about *why* he's autistic. There's so much in this piece that will help me to navigate some of those conversations.
Plus, it's a good reminder to go easy on myself - like you say, there are some wonderful things about the SEND journey with your child but also so much of it is very very hard. Really appreciated your insight and care in writing this 😊