SENDcommunity

SEND parents shouldn’t have to become experts to be heard, but many do, and their insight is reshaping the future of advocacy.

To explore this on a deeper level, we spoke with Jenny Sandler, a specialist autism and ADHD educator, consultant, and advisor supporting children, parents, and schools.

Many neurodivergent people grow up feeling out of sync with traditional schooling or social expectations. But that difference, that sense of seeing the world from a slightly different angle, is exactly what fuels innovation.

When violent outbursts happen at home, it can leave families feeling frightened, isolated, and unsure where to turn. But none of this means you’re failing. It means you’re carrying an extraordinary load, often without enough help.

If you’ve ever wondered what a social enterprise really is, here’s the simplest way to think about it: It’s a business that exists to do good, not just make money.

Families shouldn’t have to fight this hard, but until the system changes, support networks, clear information, and compassionate guidance can make the path less exhausting.

Being outdoors lowers cortisol. It reduces heart rate and muscle tension. It gives the brain a break from the sensory overload of classrooms, corridors, and crowds. For neurodivergent learners, who often live with heightened sensory sensitivity, this shift can feel like stepping out of a storm.

“I will always see myself as a storyteller first and an advocate second, but if it leads to meaningful impact, I cannot complain.”

Kris Foster is the co-founder of Project Nemo, a movement focused on representation and accessibility, that aims to educate the UK’s FinTech industry on disability inclusion and inspire meaningful action.

Parents often describe mornings filled with panic attacks, meltdowns, or physical symptoms like stomach aches and headaches. These are not excuses; they are genuine signs of distress.

It’s so easy to be distracted by all the other activities going on, so begin with the end in mind: imagine it’s January and the new term has begun, and you’re feeling really proud of yourself for the effort put in over the Christmas break.

For most travellers, the risk of their legs being “lost” doesn’t exist, but for wheelchair users, losing or damaging a mobility device can ruin an entire trip or even leave them stranded.