An old friend broke a world record today. Most miles in a wheelchair in a single day - 152. Previous record was 113. Mike Egan. One of the kindest, most natural leaders I know. Congrats Mike. You make us proud. Mike's insta: www.instagram.com/mj_egan/ Story: www.msn.com/en-us/news/w...

When teenage boys act out or vape or fight, or get I to trouble people are keen to blame the parents What about the government? The years of austerity reducing staffing in schools, in youth centres, in mental health? So that troubled youth have nowhere to go, no-one to listen?

'What autistic people – and those with ADHD and dyslexia – really think about the word ‘neurodiversity’ New research by @draimeegrant.bsky.social, @dramypearson.bsky.social & Jennifer Leigh theconversation.com/what-autisti...

Unless millions of pounds are pumped into cutting waiting lists for * screening & diagnosis * speech & language help * sensory assessments * dyslexia / dyscalcula support * mental health help Plus time/ energy/ knowledge & implementation of inclusive practices, then nothing will change

On one hand - this story is about someone investigating safety online & deeply concerning On the other (selfishly), I'm now questioning if chatgpt's advice about the best colour tights to wear with a party dress is going to ruin my look...

Love this - particularly the bits about Morse being better than heroin It's strange how we don't value the creation of a family (a home, loving relationships, caring, nurture) as highly as we do more obvious creations (stuff)

This view was just an incredible celebration of autumn/fall Yay for autumn Little did I know that one minute later I was going to slip & fall into a stream Full on dunk Had to wring water out of my dress Stupid autumn & leaves covering slippy tree roots

Back to school anxiety in the morning It's hard to sit next to my son as he struggles in the car to school He ripples with emotional overload Conversation is not recommended Deep breaths Emma, you can hold the space for him..

Sarah: shall I buy you a metal ring & we can make baubles wreaths Me: sounds fun Several hours later, much gnashing of teeth & despair.... We both had something to hang up Even if we forgot the Christmas cakes that were baking...

Went out to see Ardal O'Hanlon last night I bought tickets on a "must get out more" buzz last year What a crack! We laughed throughout & had a fabulous time. Highly recommended you catch his "Not Himself" tour Then I dreamt we became buddies & he invited me swimming.

Halloween - it's a great time to honour family traditions and start on the Christmas cake With a glass of sherry to remember my Dad and Grandma who both liked a glass before their evening meal The smell is very evocative Tomorrow I'll be with my twin @sarahfoxspeaker.bsky.social baking & crafting

Me: you've £10 for spending & bus fares Teen: okay Teen spends entire £10 on "snacks" he says he didn't like Me: don't spend anything else or you've no bus fare Teen: ok Teen messages Dad asking for lunch money as he's hungry Gets extra £10, spends on fried chicken Still has no bus fare 🤦🏻

I was already a @patrickgrantism.bsky.social fan from Sewing Bee Then I read "Less" and his passion, purpose, commitment made me a super fan (falling in love) Last night (despite the host's annoying interruptions), he delivered that passion & knowledge in eloquent spades I'm a convert

An interesting & concerning article Autism isn't a problem that needs solving Society / culture needs to adjust, to understand, respond, embrace & celebrate people Charities need to focus on creating more understanding & awareness; breaking down barriers to inclusion etc

Me: can you see okay without your glasses? Teen: I can see fine Me: cool cows Teen: horses? Me: which ones? Teen: that one (points) Me: that's a cow Teen: over there (points) Me: still a cow I'm not sure "I can see fine" is all that accurate. But his friends say he looks better without 🕶️ so...

I can really relate to the charioteer image - my duty horse is very demanding at the moment My passion horse is subdued & not pulling his weight & I've no time to focus on it as the other is prancing & kicking & needing all my strength to stop tipping out family over

These are the "crumbs" schools provide... We gave them headphones, what more can an autistic child want from a totally overwhelming and noisy world? They can eat elsewhere - what autistic child with sensitivity to smells doesn't want lunch on their own in a cupboard? Etc etc

Me: today I'm going to (has To Do list, rough timings, knows she can fit it all in) My kids: think again They are true spontaneity bombs Constantly nudging me off my lists, demanding I'm agile & flexible No plan ever survives the first few minutes of parenting neurodivergent teens

An autistic teenager who had a bucket of pigs’ blood dumped onto her at her high school prom has reportedly had far worse – even just today.

What I love is a frantic text flurry at 658 as my son negotiates his attendance at school I'm not even awake & having to deal with a near hostage situation Then it's shower, hanging laundry out, emptying a dishwasher, cuddling the dog, and trying to get my son ready to leave for school Before 8am

Lego MRI scanner set (donated to hospitals) a big help for kids who need scans: "more than 1 million children globally have used the sets to help them prepare...96% of healthcare professionals said the model helps to reduce children's anxiety, and 46% reported a lesser need to use sedation"

My neurodivergent children spent years in education as I was repeatedly told they were happy and fine and had no problems Yet the gap between them & their peers grew & grew Teachers didn't understand masking, didn't notice communication & social struggles, & don't get me started on denying sensory

Sally Wainwright's epic story "Riot Women" is bingeworthy It's cathartic, sexy, inspiring, uplifting, grungy punk at it's very best Fabulous characters you'll fall in love with Incredible soundtrack, you'll listen to on repeat A series you want to watch again theconversation.com/with-riot-wo...

Who robbed the Louvre (on a skateboard, whilst singing) right answers only

It's a goal of mine to help make this the most famous, well-known and UNDERSTOOD quote about cities in history. Please share it as much as you can.

Why isn't there a "friend making" service for neurodivergent teens? The one thing my daughter wants more than anything (but struggles with the most too) is a friend She has online friends But she wants one IRL too

*inspirational event* Met twin Sarah @sarahfoxspeaker.bsky.social at the Victoria Baths (amazing venue) for the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair The Green Grads were incredible - paper bowls made from denim (Patrick Grants Community Clothing) to paper & shapes from recycled egg shells 1/2

As someone intelligent & articulate, with English as my first language, & time to battle for her child's EHCP - I find the system baffling & overwhelming... I can only imagine how many parents give up before they've started The system is flawed when so much falls on parents shoulders

Today's my son's diagnosis reveal I'm expecting AuDHD (like his sister although he presents more on the ADHD side with sensory challenges) Not sure what use it's going to be in getting support - daughter's paperwork hasn't exactly expedited education to suit

Today's woodland walk had so many varieties of funghi Including this purple one that I've never seen before (and some baby pink ones) Nature is amazing.

I used to trick myself into doing the washing up by just deciding to wash the plates (easy but bulky so it felt like I'd done loads) I nearly always finished the job

I know all parenting comes with challenges That the teenage years are particularly "goal-post moving" That puberty & adolescence add extra spice But having two AuDHD children who struggle to leave their beds / bedrooms, who don't engage in school or social activities, who want .... 1/2

Stress has hit "tidying under the sink" levels I've too many microfibre cloths & dusters - time to donate I've also cleaned the oven glass so you can see through without peering through oily gunk In other news, son is on day 'alot' of school refusal & daughter failed to get up for tuition #SEND

I can still recall a phone number from the 1980s (that hasn't existed for over 35 years) Parents drilled home numbers into their kids for safety

If anyone needs me I will be in the museum, lying down next to the bog bodies.

This two-parter below is exactly why it's hard to make clothes in the United States. Let's look at how much it costs to produce a button-up shirt in the US. 🧵

My friend Sascha is a professional musician and he's lost a viola bow on the way to Heathrow. Please signal boost to help him get it back.

Sunday Pre-Monday anxiety kicks in The tension is palpable Innocent questions get barely a grumble in response Zero eye contact, smiles, lightness The atmosphere is heavy, sliceable And no attempt at levity works because even the thought of Monday is DOOM School refusal robs the weekend of fun

I am amazed even 1/10 SEND parents say they're getting support at the right level As one of the 9 in 10, the exhausting battle, the constant emails, phonecalls, letters, research, websites is overwhelming and time/energy consuming

If you're wondering how things are going - I'm at "hoovering behind the sofas" level of anxiety

Tonight I'm defusing situations & trying to assess appropriate consequences for my teenage neurodiverse son that's escalated to warfare levels With mobile phones at least there's video evidence of just how bad they've been that's undeniable if #gutted Parenting is not for the faint-hearted

My daughter always felt her needs were invisible in school because she withdrew, went inside All the attention went to the loud pupils The quiet ones need to be seen & helped just as much

Today is the last chance to sign the petition to protect the rights of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Over 130,000 have signed. Will you help us with one final push before it closes at 23.59? #SEND #Disability petition.parliament.uk/petit...#SEND

Accommodations for neurodivergent students should be implemented from the start - not after they've already become distressed And they shouldn't be taken away b/c they're "doing well" Schools need to be proactive - not reactive #OntEd #EduSky #autism #neurodiversity #disability (From Neurowild)

Rigid thinking is not a universal autistic trait. In fact, some autistic people are more cognitively flexible than most nonautistic people. So why is cognitive rigidity mentioned in the autism section of the DSM? Here's my take...

The most common response I get when I say my children aren't in school "Do you homeschool then?" Um... Short answer "no" Long answer "my children's social, emotional needs & neurodivergent brains, plus their need to have a safe place they don't mask, means I can't pollute home with school" 1/3

Where is the training for neurotypical children to accept, embrace and welcome neurodiverse children?? My AuDHD children have been excluded, bullied, denied their experience, silenced, marginalised, punched, set upon & worse. Until inclusion starts with their peers, then there is no such thing.

The school-refusal dance Will they/ won't they? Tip toeing around potential land mines that ensure he won't go Leaving it to the last minute to check if he's dressed Too many nudges, tip him over I hear movement in his bedroom - we might make it These last ten minutes are crucial #AuDHD life

Big Emotions Monday Youngest = school refusal = "go away" Eldest = out of spoons before I woke her at 1.30pm for specialist school visit = "go away" at volume Shouting, sullenness, anxiety, fear - it ripples off the kids & into me.... I don't want to, but I feel their pain It's hard to bear