Less neurodiverse, more neuroconverse?
My contributions to the neurodiversity and special educational needs debate
I’m delighted to see that my contribution to the debate Neurodiversity to gender dysphoria: a problem of over-diagnosis? at the Battle of Ideas, is now available online. I encourage you to watch the whole discussion, not just my bit. It was great and I learned a lot. It reinforced my view that there is too much of an emphasis on difference. Both with regards to the over-labelling of often normal children with various conditions (whether diagnosed, self-diagnosed or not), and a tendency to retreat into ideological tribes so fixed in their diverseness they have rendered themselves unable (and unwilling?) to converse with each other.
In this spirit of commonality and conversation, might I also direct you to my other writing (and speaking) on this subject. I’ve written all over the place on this and related topics, but here on Substack you’ll find:
Why are schools excluding so many vulnerable kids?
Perhaps one of the most striking things about the experience of the pandemic was how, despite an apparent concern for ‘the vulnerable’, it was the youngest, the oldest and those with the highest levels of need, who suffered the most during lockdown. When it came to the young, it wasn’t just that their schools were closed for long periods, denying them a…
Beyond the culture war on autism
We’re nearing the end of World Autism Acceptance Week (27 March to 2 April). At the end of which it will be World Autism Awareness Day. Sorry, you’ve already missed Neurodiversity Celebration Week (13 to 19 March). So much ‘awareness’. So little time.
SENDing mixed messages on excluded kids
I recently wrote a guest column for Teachwire and Teach Secondary magazine on the large numbers of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) being excluded from school. I’ve written sceptically about the rise of mental health problems in schools before and how
Is every child a SEND child now?
Is it just me, or are there are more children walking around wearing ear defenders these days? Why does every other child seem to be ‘on the spectrum’ or to have ‘sensory issues’? I exaggerate, of course. But only a little. At a time when everybody from teachers to football coaches claim to be
Exclusions: We shouldn't be SENDing kids home
As a school governor, I don’t underestimate the challenges schools face with behaviour problems in the classroom.
The cult of neurodiversity is making us sick
It’s that time of year again - actually it’s that time of the night again (with less than an hour to go!) - when I realise, belatedly, that not only have I missed Autism Acceptance Month and World Autism Acceptance Week; but that I have also mislaid
Dear Stella (and Bridget) - press SEND
Thank you, Stella, for writing to me, and your other constituents with children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). I have, as you say, ‘been in touch with [your] office about special educational needs provision’. And many have, indeed, ‘struggled to navigate the support available for their children, often ending up in tribunals or c…
We don't know what normal is anymore
My son has ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). He also has ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). ‘Doesn’t everybody?’ you might ask. It’s ADHD Awareness Month at the moment. I’m not sure if that means we are ‘aware’ or that we’re not ‘aware’ enough, but it’s certainly very in vogue. Then again, it’s also Black History Month, LGBT History Month an…
Some barriers shouldn't be broken down
As you might have seen from my last but one piece on Substack - I spoke at the weekend at a debate about neurodiversity and gender dysphoria, and the problem of over-diagnosis. I also, by coincidence, fell into another debate happening in another room on the topic of the ‘
Top: Four images depicting autistic children by MissLunaRose12