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Mental health doesn’t always present in the “expected” way when ADHD is involved. An ADHD child can be struggling deeply and still not look how people imagine anxiety, depression or emotional distress are “supposed” to look. This is one of the reasons mental health can be missed, misunderstood or recognised far later than it should be. For many ADHD children, emotional distress shows up through emotional dysregulation. Feelings can come on quickly, intensely and with very lit

Effective autism-informed mental health support often looks different from what people expect. It is not about fitting a child into a traditional therapy model, but about creating an environment and approach that works for them. Support should take place in predictable, low-demand environments where a child feels safe and not overwhelmed. Communication should be clear, explicit and direct, avoiding metaphors or vague language that can cause confusion or anxiety. Therapy shoul

If your child doesn’t have an EHC plan, their needs are still just as important. It just means you’ll share their needs with the school in a different way, and sometimes you have more freedom in how you do this. Begin by writing a short summary of your child’s strengths and challenges. Include what helps them learn and feel comfortable. Focus on practical details. For example, saying your child needs advance notice of changes is more helpful than just saying they get anxious.

If the local authority refuses to name your preferred school in your child’s EHC plan, or names a school you believe cannot meet your child’s needs, you have a legal right to appeal. This isn’t about being difficult. It’s about making sure your child’s needs — as set out in law — are properly met. Appeals are made to the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability) (often called the SEND Tribunal). This is an independent legal body that reviews whether the l

If you have a teenager who is both ADHD and LGBTQIA+, you might notice that anxiety affects them more than it does other teens. This is real. There are several reasons your teen may feel more stressed than their peers, and understanding these reasons is the first step to helping them. This increased emotional sensitivity comes from the brain, not from choice. Everyday challenges like fitting in, making friends, and keeping up with schoolwork feel even more intense. When you a

This week is Children’s Mental Health Week, a reminder that a lot of struggling children are not “naughty”, “lazy”, or “too emotional.” All too often, neurodevelopmental conditions are misdiagnosed as mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety. Children and young people (and adults) do display symptoms of these conditions, and many are worthy of a diagnosis. However, what is often missed is the root cause of these symptoms. Maybe your child is prescribed anti-depr

It can be hard when you open that email and see your child wasn’t offered a place at the school you had your heart set on. When your child is autistic or has ADHD, and has an EHCP, choosing a school isn’t just about Ofsted ratings. It’s about safety, understanding, and the right fit. Visiting schools, even when they’re not your first pick, can still reveal possibilities. You might want to visit alone first, especially if your child finds new environments overwhelming. When th

Socialising can be confusing and exhausting for many autistic children. This doesn’t mean they’re antisocial—they're differently social. It's especially important to remember this for children without intellectual disabilities, as they can often be expected to cope better than they actually can. Instead of pushing for conventional social milestones, focus on your child's individual capacity for connection. One meaningful friendship that aligns with their interests can be far

Every autistic child has the ability to learn. What matters most is understanding how they learn and adapting our approach to suit their needs. Whether your child has an intellectual disability or not, they deserve learning methods that work with their strengths and support their challenges. If your autistic child does not have an intellectual disability, they likely have typical or above-average thinking skills. But they may still face difficulties with things like anxiety,

This time of year, magazines are bursting with ideas for the "perfect" Christmas lunch. While these glossy spreads might be inspiring, they’re often unrealistic for many families. So we have created a simple plan to help you get the most from the big meal on the big day! 1. Design a Menu That Works for Your Family There’s no rulebook for Christmas dinner. Whether it’s chicken nuggets and chips or a traditional roast with all the trimmings, the most important thing is serving

Advent calendars are a much bigger phenomenon than they used to be. They can be a fantastic tool to help your child count down to Christmas - it is probably one of the only occasions when parents of autistic children can purchase a standard product as a visual cue! That said, they can still be a trigger for overwhelm. At 19, my son still gets as excited by the prospect of an advent calendar as he does by a Christmas present. Whilst it can be tempting to get an exciting advent

According to the song, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” but for me, Christmas has always been a mix of excitement and challenge. From October onwards, I love preparing for the season—choosing and making meaningful gifts, poring over festive recipes, and planning a show-stopping dessert for the big day. But when it comes to the actual days of Christmas, I’ve always found them difficult.  For me, Christmas feels unpredictable, overwhelming, and full of "enforced fun.

As Christmas approaches, we will be re sharing some posts from the last few years on how to prepare and support your child through the holiday festive season. We are kicking things off with this one! It's getting to the time of year where there are festive decorations and lights covering the streets. I have to admit I crave the visual stimulation of certain Christmas lights and last year enjoyed three outings to various nearby Christmas light trails. I can still visualise som

Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) was once considered the "gold standard" “treatment” for autism, but many autistic adults and advocates argue it causes significant psychological harm. This is especially true given how autism cannot and does not need to be treated at all. ABA's main goal is to make autistic children appear "normal" by stopping natural autistic behaviours like stimming, and teaching them to behave like neurotypicals. This teaches autistic children that their na

When most people think of ADHD, they picture high energy, impulsivity, or visible restlessness in the classroom. But for many students, especially those with inattentive or combined-type ADHD, the struggle looks very different. These students may appear quiet, hardworking, or even “model” pupils. They often go unnoticed because they spend so much energy trying to meet expectations, follow the rules, and avoid making mistakes. But behind the scenes, they’re masking enormous in

When your child is deep in hyperfocus, whether it's playing a favourite game, researching a subject of interest or watching a TV programme, encouraging them to change focus can feel impossible. Hyperfocus isn't just "being really into something." For ADHD brains, it's an intense state where their attention locks on, and shifting gears requires genuine neurological effort. Abruptly interrupting can trigger meltdowns, tears, or anger. This is not because they're being defiant,

Many parents and teachers assume that children with ADHD struggle most when academic demands are too high. But there's a paradox that often catches families off guard: ADHD symptoms can get worse when a child isn't being challenged enough. Children with ADHD have neurological differences that affect their executive function, attention regulation, and impulse control. One aspect that's often misunderstood is that ADHD brains crave stimulation and novelty. When the environment

If your child with ADHD seems more anxious, fidgety, or emotional when they're bored rather than busy, you're not imagining it. Under stimulation can trigger real anxiety in children (and adults) with ADHD. Think of the ADHD brain like a car engine that needs to run at a certain speed to work smoothly. When there's not enough happening—during repetitive homework, waiting in line, or sitting through easy lessons—the engine starts sputtering. This creates an uncomfortable, rest

If you’re parenting a child with ADHD, you may have experienced this scenario more than once: You remind them it’s time to leave for...

For ADHD children, learning can be a challenge. But its not necessarily that they don't understand the topic. Very often, your child...

It's October! Which means it's ADHD Awareness Month! We will be posting on areas often missed or not given as much attention as...