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Telegraph
6 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
Blaming the parents is easier than fixing Britain's special educational needs system
Many parents of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are likely to be too busy fighting the broken education system to notice they are actually being blamed for it. Their lives are spent constantly having to fight to get what most children and families take for granted – the education their child needs and deserves. For all the talk of parents trying to get special treatment, or a 'golden ticket' for their children, research from the National Autistic Society shows a quarter of parents (26 per cent) waited over three years to receive support for their child. Even after this, nearly three quarters (74 per cent) said their child's school place did not meet their needs. Our SEND system is supposed to provide children with the support they need. But over the last decade and a half, the funding and staff time for mainstream schools to make small changes or bring in support, without needing additional funding through an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), has been systematically stripped from the system. When children's needs aren't met, they don't go away, they escalate. The result is that children are pushed ever closer to the brink and then require more intensive support. Getting help in school shouldn't require a child to have a clinical diagnosis. Yet, say that to any parent of a child with SEND and they would rightly laugh in your face, as they often face unlawful refusals from councils to even look at their child's needs until they have a diagnosis. Then the statistics get even more galling. Currently 224,382 people are waiting for an autism assessment in England – that's around the population of Portsmouth. The average waiting time for an assessment is 14 months, with many people waiting even longer. Recently, a woman in Oxford was told she would have to wait 16-18 years. Once a child has a diagnosis, it's far from a 'golden ticket', as so often claimed. Parents of autistic children have to fight, some having to remortgage their house or take out loans, to afford the expensive legal battles that overwhelmingly find in their favour. £60 million of public money was wasted sending families to the independent SEND Tribunal in 2021-22 to enforce their child's legal rights, while 99 per cent of cases in 2023-24 found in favour of parents. If you're looking for real waste in the SEND system, this is a staggering example. To fix the SEND system, support must meet children's needs early on. Imagine how much more our education system, and the children in it, could achieve if we didn't ignore and belittle children that need support. How much more prepared for adult life and all its trials and tribulations a child could be, armed with the knowledge of their autistic identity, rather than being sneered at for 'chasing' a 'label'. How many more families could live in financial security without having to give up work if the system had the resources to approach their requests with options, rather than a closed door. How many more disabled children could walk happily with their brothers and sisters to school, rather than having to rely on school transport for journeys miles and miles away from home. It's right that the Government tries to fix this broken system. It's clear though that any reform should focus on strengthening children's rights to early and less intensive support and making sure teachers are equipped with the knowledge and tools to support kids in their classrooms. Put quite simply: EHCPs aren't the problem in the system. Nor is school transport. The problem is that the system legally responsible for supporting our nation's disabled children is not resourced or equipped to do that. That's why the National Autistic Society will campaign as part of the Disabled Children's Partnership – a coalition of 130 organisations from national charities to grass root parent groups – to get the right reforms from the Government. Families don't want anything 'special', they just want the same thing as other families – the education their children need. Now is the time to get this right, not blame parents and take away children's futures.
BBC News
13-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Sergeant finds job 'well-suited' to being autistic
An autistic police sergeant has said the condition helps him in his Flo Linscott, 50, from Hayle, has worked for Devon and Cornwall Police for 26 years but was diagnosed as autistic just two years is a police sergeant for the Cornwall Diverse Communities Team which he said was "a good job choice" for someone with the condition."I realise now that the work routine, the uniform, the internal code of conduct, following orders and approved practice - even the shift work - is well-suited for my condition," he said. "I was diagnosed later in life although I always suspected the differences from growing up, my career and everything else."But what I found was really wonderful and helped me in my own job is that within the Devon and Cornwall Police we have a neurodiversity support network and that was one of the helping hands that gave me the confidence to then get myself assessed... and ultimately got my diagnosis," he added. 'Super anxious' The National Autistic Society describes autism as a condition which influences how people experience and interact with the world and says more than one in 100 people in the UK are Linscott said he was not surprised when he was diagnosed."Autistic people will recognise that there are elements where you will mask or you will present yourself in a certain way to perhaps hide some of the inner things that you're going through yourself," he said."So you could be super anxious about a certain thing that's about to happen, albeit once I've rehearsed how I'm going to conduct myself, it then becomes a bit more predictable."Then it becomes safe and then you can relax completely."But it doesn't always work out that way, which is why I then rely on my colleagues in the same network." Sgt Linscott now peer supports newly-diagnosed police officers and those who think they may be neurodivergent."We share experiences and we share advice because even though there's a lot of commonality between autistic people, we're all so different," he explained."So if you've met one autistic person, you've met one autistic person."But because I have an understanding of my own neurodivergence, I can relate to theirs. "I have helped a few officers back to work or helped them stay at work. "As this is a two-way exchange, the whole process helps me too - I now know I am not the only one who perceives the world this way." Force equality, diversity and human rights officer Teresa Berridge works alongside Sgt Linscott and said: "Being an autistic person... this enables him to put himself in the shoes of others with, perhaps, a greater desire to truly understand what that person's own experience is and how different situations may impact them."Sgt Linscott is a really well-known police officer in his local area and this is testament to his ability to engage and understand people, to listen and hear their concerns and actively seek out solutions to help them."
The Guardian
11-07-2025
- The Guardian
Charity warns against generalising about autistic people after Gregg Wallace comments
The UK's leading charity for autism has said it is important not to generalise about the condition in the wake of comments made by Gregg Wallace in which he appeared to link the allegations of misconduct made against him to his own diagnosis. The TV presenter was sacked as MasterChef presenter on Tuesday after an inquiry into his alleged inappropriate behaviour by the production company Banijay. New claims emerged this week about the TV presenter from 50 or more people, to the BBC, with the majority saying he made inappropriate sexual comments. Eleven women accused him of inappropriate sexual behaviour, such as groping and touching. In a statement, the 60-year-old presenter said he had recently been diagnosed as autistic but TV bosses had failed to 'investigate my disability' or 'protect me from what I now realise was a dangerous environment'. The former greengrocer posted a statement on his Instagram page on Tuesday claiming he had been cleared of the 'most serious and sensational accusations' against him. In response, a spokesperson for the National Autistic Society, said: 'Every autistic person is different, just like every non-autistic person is different, so it is important not to generalise or make judgments based on the actions, words or behaviour of any one individual.' Some of the more recent claims include a MasterChef worker who said she tried to complain about comments she alleged Wallace made about her body in 2022, and a former police officer who said he tried to raise concerns after he allegedly witnessed Wallace making inappropriate sexual comments at a charity event in 2023. Other autism and disability charities and campaigners criticised Wallace's comments. Jessie Hewitson, a director of NeuroUniverse, a company that trains companies in supporting neurodiverse employees, who is autistic, said: 'I don't make the connection between this alleged behaviour and autism. 'We support companies in supporting their neurodivergent employees. Common scenarios we encounter with autistic people are often they may say things in a direct way which offend colleagues. 'For example, there might be heightened anxiety around something's changed [at work]. And to other colleagues it can look like the autistic person is being very difficult, when, really, potentially, they're just very stressed. 'Those are the kind of common misunderstandings you encounter. We've never encountered someone coming to us saying they've got an autistic employee who's behaved in a sort of sexually inappropriate way or has said sexually inappropriate things.' Hewitson said the law stated that employers had to support neurodivergent people, but that did not offer a 'free pass' for bad behaviour. 'It doesn't mean you shouldn't take responsibility for it,' she said. 'We've been terribly stereotyped since the dawn of time. Everyone considers us emotionless, weird robots, and we were totally dehumanised. 'I feel like that stereotype is starting to go so I worry that this will create a conflation in some people's minds between inappropriate workplace behaviour and autism.' Seema Flower, the founder of Blind Ambition, a disability training consultancy, said: 'To use autism as an excuse to behave the way that he is alleged to have behaved is very, very poor. 'This was over 20 years. If you do it once, you do it twice, then you've got a problem. You go and seek some advice and get some remedies and strategies in place.' Flower said it was 'really damaging' to perceptions of autistic people. 'It has great, negative ramifications,' she said. 'Because the general public will think 'that person's got autism, they're going to be likely to sexually assault me or abuse me or make inappropriate comments'. 'People will be less likely to employ people with autism, they're less likely to work with them. They're less likely to to have any interaction with them sexually.' She added: 'It's also making a mockery of the whole diagnosis of autism. You're saying that if someone's got autism, are they going to get a free pass to inappropriately behave with women or men?'
The Sun
08-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
The vitamin D supplement scientists say could significantly improve core autism symptoms
A FORM of vitamin D could significantly improve core autism symptoms, researchers claim. Studies examining whether the common supplement could improve symptoms of autism have had inconsistent results. But scientists from the National Research Centre in Cairo, Egypt, say a vitamin D3 nanoemulsion might help ease challenges with social interaction and restrictive or repetitive behaviours in young children. There are at least 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK, according to the National Autistic Society. Autism is not an illness or disease - it influences how people experience and interact with the world. People with the condition may find socialising confusing or tiring, and can become overwhelmed in loud or busy places. They may have intense interests, prefer order and routine, and use repeated movements or actions to calm themselves or express joy. Many mask their discomfort to try and fit in. Previous research into the condition has linked autism to a lack of vitamin D - a vital nutrient the body relies on for various functions, including "brain development", the Egyptian researchers said. Newborn babies with a vitamin D deficiency had a higher chance of developing ADHD, schizophrenia and autism, a University of Queensland study published in May found. Earlier research from the university suggested vitamin deficiencies in mums could also play a part. But studies looking into whether supplements could ease symptoms of autism have had mixed results. World Autism Awareness Day: Everything you need to know One found that giving children vitamin D3 "no influence on irritability or core autism spectrum disorder symptoms, yet it had a beneficial effect on hyperactivity", the Egyptian research team said. "On the other hand, some studies reported improved core symptoms after supplementation with the marketed vitamin D3." Instead of using regular vitamin D3 supplements, the new study used a nanoemulsion of vitamin D3. It involves suspending tiny nano-sized droplets of vitamin D3 in a liquid so it can more easily absorbed used by the body. "This study aims to investigate the influence of vitamin D3-loaded nanoemulsion supplementation on adaptive behaviour and language performance in a group of children with autism compared to the influence of the marketed product of vitamin D3," researchers wrote in LabMed Discovery. The study involved 80 children with confirmed autism diagnoses, aged between three and six, who were randomly split into two groups. One group took a nanoemulsion of vitamine D3 for six months, while the other group was given a commonly available standard supplement. "The vitamin D3-loaded nanoemulsion was prepared in the pharmaceutical technology lab at the authors' institute by the pharmacists in the research team of this study," study authors noted. What is autism? Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an incurable, lifelong developmental condition that affects how people perceive the world and interact with others. It affects around one in 100 people in the UK and is three to four times more common in boys than in girls. Many people with ASD find it hard to understand other people's feelings and emotions, and they may have difficulty holding conversations. When they are young, their language development may take longer and they can struggle to use facial expressions, using gestures to communicate instead. They may also find it hard to connect with other people and to hold eye contact with unfamiliar individuals. Many children with ASD like to follow a routine, and changes to this can cause distress. High functioning autism is an informal term some people use to describe those on the autism spectrum disorder. Researchers evaluated the children's vitamin D3 levels, as well social and adaptive behaviours and language development, both before and after the kids took supplements. The children had "delays in social IQ and language abilities" when they were assessed at the start of the study. But researchers found that the nanoemulsion raised vitamin D3 levels in the blood and seemed to significantly improve core autism symptoms. 'The supplementation of children with autism using the prepared vitamin D3-loaded nanoemulsion has led to a reduction in the severity of autism and a rise in the social IQ, especially fine motor performance and language abilities of the children with autism spectrum disorder, without adverse effects,' the researchers wrote. The conventional supplement didn't improve autism symptoms, despite raising vitamin D3 levels in the blood. The researchers said vitamin D3 is thought to play a role in memory, mood, behaviour and sleep regulation. Not having enough vitamin D can disrupt the metabolism of fatty acids, which are needed for the quality and function of the membranes of cells such as neurons, they added. "Children with autism have been reported to have gastrointestinal and sensory processing disorders, particularly those involving taste and smell, " study authors suggested. "This makes them very prone to vitamin deficiency. "Therefore, incorporating vitamin D3 in a nanoemulsion formulation can facilitate its absorption, its consumption at the cellular level, and its bioavailability to overcome intestinal and sensory processing disorders limiting the vitamin intake. "This is very essential for enhancing the vitamin impact on the brain and other systems involved in adaptive behaviour." Larger and more long-term studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore the difference in vitamin D response between girls and boys, the authors concluded. Past research on vitamin D3 nanoemulsions has identified some concerns. Manufacturing can be complex and expensive and the solution can become unstable. On top of that, there is a risk of vitamin D toxicity, which can cause nausea, vomiting, weakness and kidney problems. The NHS advises that everyone take a vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter, as our body can't make enough of the nutrient - 10 micrograms is what's recommended. But babies and children aged one to four need to take a daily supplement throughout the year, between 8.5 to 10 micrograms. Key characteristics of autism These are some features of autism that many people with it experience. Autism is a spectrum, so everyone shows symptoms differently. Sensitive to senses Autistic people can be much more or less sensitive than non-autistic people to the five main senses (sight, sound, touch, taste and smell). This also extends to senses for balance, movement, spatial awareness and awareness of internal states, such as hunger and temperature. Social differences People with autism may find social interactions harder because they have difficulty; interpratiting social cues; facial expressions; maintaining eye contact; recognising sarcasm. They may find tehy prefer to spend time alone because social interactions can be confusing. Autism can be verbal (someone who uses communication) or non-verbal (they use other means to communicate). People can flit between the two. Repetitive behaviours 'Restricted and repetitive behaviours and interests' is often listed as a trait of autism, but the National Autistic Society says many people with the condition actually find these behaviours as positive and helpful. It is also sometimes referred to as stimming or self-regulatory behaviour. Examples include having a strong passion or interest in a hobby, repeated behaviours like hair twirling or rocking, and preference for routine or rules to be followed. Emotional dysregulation People with autism may struggle to manage feelings such as frustration, anxiety, or sadness, which could lead to a 'meltdown' (extreme or intense outburst of emotions) or 'shutdown' (withdrawal). Source:
The Guardian
06-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Government faces battle over Send overhaul as campaigners voice fears
Downing Street is facing another bruising battle following last week's humiliating retreat on welfare reforms, as MPs, campaigners and parents voice concern at its overhaul of special needs education for children in England. A letter to the Guardian, signed by dozens of special needs and disability charities and campaigners – including the broadcaster Chris Packham, actor Sally Phillips and Jane Asher, actor and president of the National Autistic Society – says parents fear the reforms may restrict or abolish the vital education, health and care plans (EHCPs) that more than 600,000 children and young people rely on for individual support. The letter, with more than 100 signatories backing the newly formed Save Our Childrens' Rights campaign, is calling for EHCPs to be retained, 'now and in the future', or risk seeing thousands of children 'denied vital provision, or losing access to education altogether'. Labour MPs who spoke to the Guardian are worried that ministers are unable to explain key details of the special educational needs (SEN) shake-up being considered in the schools white paper to be published in October. Several MPs warned that issues in the white paper such as the future of EHCPs could eventually cause another rebellion, similar to that which forced the government to gut its welfare bill after a major backlash from backbenchers. One MP said: 'This could be a massive problem. We are hoping there will be proper engagement around it, but we are worried about some of the signals we are picking up.' Another said: 'People are really, really worried about this. It is one of the things that is going to make people feel very, very uncomfortable.' The letter published in the Guardian is evidence of growing public concern, despite reassurances from the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, that no decisions have yet been taken about the fate of EHCPs. Signatories to the letter include academics studying disability and neurodiversity such as Prof Simon Baron-Cohen, director of the University of Cambridge's autism research centre, and campaigners including Rosa Monckton, as well as parent-led group Special Needs Jungle. 'As new education reforms loom, every sign from the government suggests the right to an education, health and care plan (EHCP) is to be removed from children attending mainstream schools. Local authorities want EHCPs drastically reduced, or removed altogether, to relieve them of duties they often find costly and troublesome,' the letter states. 'Without statutory support, underpinned by necessary extra resources for schools, it's extremely unlikely that ministers will achieve their aim of more children with Send thriving, or even surviving, in mainstream education. 'A reduction or complete snatching-away of EHCPs in mainstream education wouldn't mean their needs magically vanish. It would, instead, increase applications for already overcrowded special schools or mean they would be forced out of school altogether.' Although ministers contend that policies are still being developed, discussions are said to include the phasing out of EHCPs over a number of years, or restricting them to the most profound level of need. Fears about the fate of EHCPs were raised in May when Dame Christine Lenehan, the government's strategic adviser on special educational needs and disabilities, said EHCPs would 'probably' change because there were questions if they were 'the right vehicle'. One Labour backbencher said several MPs had requested meetings with Phillipson and Catherine McKinnell, the school standards minister, to question them on the plans. The MP added that the meetings so far had been unsatisfactory because ministers told them only that no decision over EHCPs had yet been made. Marie Tidball, the Labour MP who gave an emotional Commons speech against the welfare bill last week, said the Send reforms were now a major focus for many of her fellow backbenchers. Speaking on a live edition of the Guardian's Politics Weekly podcast at the Crossed Wires festival in Sheffield, Tidball said: 'There's going to be lots of work done over the summer on this, and I know that colleagues will be very keen to involve backbenchers who've got huge amounts of experience on that issue.' Sign up to Headlines UK Get the day's headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning after newsletter promotion Asked by the BBC on Sunday whether she could rule out getting rid of EHRCs, Phillipson said: 'What I can say very clearly is that we will strengthen and put in place better support for children.' Saying that details would be set out in the autumn in the schools white paper, Phillipson said she fully understood that 'having access to that EHCP, and what that brings, is incredibly important'. More funding alone was not the answer, she added, saying there was also a need to 'just take a step back and think about, how do we build a better system'. A DfE spokesperson said: 'The evidence is clear that this government inherited a Send [special educational needs and disabilities] system left on its knees – which is why we are looking at changes to improve support for children and stop parents having to fight for help. It is totally inaccurate to suggest that children, families and schools might experience any loss of funding or support. 'This government is actively working with parents and experts on the solutions, including more early intervention to prevent needs from escalating and £740m to encourage councils to create more specialist places in mainstream schools.' One supportive MP said Phillipson and her team had done a lot of outreach to MPs to try to prevent a repeat of last week's dramatic Commons scenes. 'The education team are doing a really, really good job of engaging with people,' the person said. 'There will be a consultation and a proper process.' But they added that many Labour MPs were concerned because of the amount of mail that was being generated by anxious parents. 'Parents of Send kids are climbing up the walls right now,' they said. 'Our job is to get them down from those walls.' EHCPs were introduced in 2014, and give statutory force to plans agreed by parents and local authorities about the additional support for children and young people up to the age of 25 with assessed special needs or disabilities. But as the number of EHCPs has rocketed above 600,000, in part because of increasing assessments of autism, ADHD and speech and language difficulties, the strain on local authority high needs budgets, as well as related transport costs, has pushed many councils in England towards insolvency.
