Wishing everyone a peaceful holiday season. We would like to thank all who have supported us and interacted with us over the year. We hope that ASN families have as good a time as possible. We understand what a struggle this time of year can be. Be kind to yourself and others. Merry Christmas 🎄.

I've done my fourth present wrapping session To be frank I've not a clue what I've wrapped, whether I've found everything, or what day it is It's been a very odd few weeks with far too much adrenaline, far too little sleep and I'm totally discombobulated SEND parenting is hard at Xmas

Pam Duncan-Glancy has announced she will no longer contest the Scottish Parliament election in May. www.holyrood.com/news/view,la...

‘Jesus was a refugee. As a child he had to go to Egypt for safety. So please: think what the message of Christmas really means’ The head of the Church of Scotland tells me Christmas is about welcoming the outsider as she speaks out against the hate growing in society In @heraldscotland.bsky.social

Many late diagnosed autistic people struggle with the idea that we “don’t look autistic”. Others say it to us. And sometimes we ask it of ourselves. The usual answers don’t really touch the issue. 1/6

#Oliverscampaign SO many tried to stop me from making The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on learning disability & autism law for Health & Social Care staff including another female campaigner. I will always fight for true equity in health and care for neurodivergent people.

Being AuDHD can mean living in extremes: All-in… or checked out Not hungry… or absolutely starving Way too early… or running late A cluttered home… whilst needing order Wanting company… but far too overstimulated to socialise Craving novelty… but also needing everything to stay the same 🫠

If you’re looking for a cookbook that meets autistic needs, check out autistic professional chef @mbrobergmoffitt.bsky.social's “Color, Taste, Texture!” Broberg-Moffitt even includes a Food Preference Profile and Worksheet to support understanding and choice-making. buttondown.com/TPGA/archive...

Dr Jessica Eccles bendybrain Youtube on brainbody neurodivergence/hypermobility connections ? out now .... find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr2ZFJOYPYw

ASN parents come from all background and political persuasions. We are watching ALL of the political parties. Our children ARE being routinely failed. And yes we will vote accordingly. So who is going to be honest? ASN kids sitting at home is actually happening. Do something please.

"...when I finally enter the workforce, I should have a massive [online] profile. I’m sure that will only help me.” Sadly, lots of "autism parents" will miss the point...but perhaps some might get it?

Scotland’s young people face limited opportunities after Brexit but could their vision for the future re-shape Scotland’s place in Europe? | Motaz Amer

Every single sexual assault I have heard of has been committed by someone the victim knew personally. At school & work in my early career the inappropriate touches came from schoolmates & colleagues. The public transport stuff from white city types. Not once have I heard of this from an immigrant.

#InternationalMigrantsDay: My great story is a shared one International Migrants Day is observed on 18 December. It recognises migration as a defining force of our time and calls for safer, fairer and more inclusive systems that reflect real lives, not stereotypes.

"Parents no longer feel the need to have larger families as a hedge against tragedy. Instead, they can invest more in fewer children, ensuring better education, health, and opportunities for each. This ‘quality over quantity’ shift isn’t just pragmatic – it’s a marker of progress."

'The truth is kids are sharing intimate pictures all the time'

In many health boards covering almost a third of Scotland's adult population, the NHS does not offer adult neurodevelopmental assessments. That makes it difficult for people to get the support they need. I asked the government to act more urgently to solve the problem.

While I can see why this approach is being applied,the problem remains outside schools,in the behaviour of men,especially powerful men.Until that's sorted, schools will continue to be a reflection of that. Teachers to be trained to spot early signs of misogyny in boys www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

@astrokittycat.bsky.social @empoweredscotland.bsky.social @bluedotspecialfl.bsky.social @asura.dev @h3xb7ack.bsky.social @techweenie.bsky.social @shaindelr.bsky.social

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“We would urge the public to put the political parties on the spot as we approach the Scottish Parliament election next year and understand how they are going to address Scotland’s ASN crisis.” #ASN #MentalHealth #Education #Holyrood2026 #Scotland🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

People need to be thinking about disability and learning about ableism in the same way they learn about other forms of minorities and discrimination. Enough of the "work ethic".

ADHD: girls’ symptoms are often missed in school because they don’t fit stereotypes – new research theconversation.com/adhd-gir...

This

“Given an escalating number of children and young people with ASN, it is vital that those requiring it get the care and support that they need. This is clearly difficult in an environment of austerity and budget cuts, highlighted by reductions in, for example, the number of ASN teachers." #ASN

The number of pupils with ASN in our schools is growing, as is the complexity of their needs. But you are not being given the extra time needed to ensure the needs of all pupils are being met. Promises on non-class contact time need to be honoured. Vote YES YES and return your ballot.

This Christmas, The Herald and @scottishbooktrust.bsky.social are asking you to give a child the gift of reading 📗 Reporter @joshpizpom.bsky.social recalls a book he loved as a child 📕 GET INVOLVED: www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/2561...

"The double empathy problem decentres the idea of normalcy" A nice summary from Damian Milton in their talk today: "Key Concepts in the Development of a Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice" from Tizard Centre University of Kent.

You know what, Robinson? Jesus would have stood on a beach handing out hot tea and warm blankets to refugees The far-right in Britain is trying to hijack Christianity as Christmas approaches. It should offend every person of faith. Jesus spread love, not hate My @heraldscotland.bsky.social column

Looking for a new role in the New Year? We have a vacancy for a Service Manager (Maternity Cover) to lead Enquire and our fabulous team for 12 months. Apply by Monday 12 January 2026, 12pm. Find out more and apply: childreninscotland.org.uk/work-with-us/ #CharityJobs #Education

Anxiety is SO common in autistics: A useful new study "quotes extensively from autistic people about their experiences of anxiety, and I know that many, many autistic people will see themselves in the material." @ejwillingham.bsky.social in the latest TPGA Newsletter: buttondown.com/TPGA/archive...

BREAKING Teachers at a school near Glasgow are being balloted for strike action over major health and safety concerns described as posing a "substantial risk to life". @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569914...

@thendeducator.bsky.social from Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics will join Rainbow Muslim Women's Group to discuss the understanding of autism and neurodivergency. Please join us to help tackle stigma around neurodivergence, disability and different ways of being.

Brilliant as usual Via @kieranrose.bsky.social “There is no such thing as #SEND” … “SEND as a construct. SEND as a workaround. SEND as the mechanism that allows an education system that was never designed for all children to remain fundamentally unchanged, while appearing compassionate.”

#Oliverscampaign My God, this is horrific One former patient, aged nine at the time, says he was repeatedly sexually assaulted by a member of staff at Larchwood and Colwood in Haywards Heath He said he has vivid memories of being raped in the woods www.bbc.com/news/article...

Please note: Our helpline is now closed for the festive season. But don't worry! You can still: 🌐Visit our website - enquire.org.uk 📑 Pick up a copy of the Parent's and Carers Guide from your library 👀 Watch / Listen to free info sessions on our YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/user/Enquireinfo

Sunday, another Watch Party with @stimpunks.org This week: Self-compassion in autism. Being kind & caring for yourself & your mental health @autismeurope.bsky.social W Lawson & P Vermeulen youtu.be/cMexFxRmuLE?... We live where we’re interested We need an environment that embraces our humanity

“SEND is not a framework for inclusion, but an administrative construct created to manage difference without requiring the education system itself to change. A way of locating the problem in the child, while protecting the structure that excludes them.” TY @kieranrose.bsky.social #SEND #inclusion