AllMatters Neurodiverse Jersey

Always interesting reading new research, not the outcome anyone would like to see but probably not surprising. - This is UK!

Seen on Researching Reform

Research documents families’ experiences with CAFCASS A research paper published in March 2024 has documented the experiences of families who have come into contact with child welfare service CAFCASS and their perceptions of the organisation. The rese…

Welcome to our offices

https://www.communitycare.co.uk/2023/11/24/we-must-stop-blaming-mothers-in-child-protection-social-work/

Interesting post

‘We must stop blaming mothers in child protection social work’ by Vicki Shevlin How far do social workers hold mothers entirely responsible for the care and safety of their children? Very Moderately Not so much Not at all View Results Loading ... When I started in social work, I thought I would be prepared to manage the misogyny embedded in practice. But when....

A big shout out to CC Fixings, Devonshire Place. I was struggling putting together a couple of stools & popped in as I thought I had the wrong screws which I didn’t, it was just my lack of DIY skills! One of their employees built them for while I waited & even offered me coffee so thank you, you are a credit to the company.

not

What do we want to achieve?
Do we want to raise children who are unquestioningly obedient or do we want something more? Most traditional parenting and school behaviour approaches focus on compliance - getting kids to do what they are told - ideally without question or delay. However, being obedient is not usually good for adults. In fact, such "people pleasing" can make someone vulnerable to bullying and abuse.

If we want to build skills for the future, then we should model adult strategies for negotiation, collaboration, and problem-solving from an early age. Doing so empowers children and respects their autonomy. It allows us to better understand and validate their feelings. And, it is a win-win for everyone - we are all working together towards a shared goal. Most of all, it is compassionate.


Image copyright 2023 PDA Sense

Image is a slide with the following text;
Compliance or Compassion?
"Do what you are told!"
Many behaviour approaches for schools and parents teach compliance
Is unquestioning obedience what we really want?
If we act with compassion, we will seek to:
Understand the issue from the other person's point of view
Accept and validate their feelings. "I hear you!"
Collaborate to share the problem and work out possible solutions together
Find solutions that are a win-win for everyone
Build skills and strategies for dealing with similar challenges in future

The Medical Lens:

You view me through a medicalised lens,
Broken,
Incapable,
Dismissed.

You tell me to be exactly who I am,
But not in the way that I am,
You want me to be like me,
But you really want me to be more like you.

You tell me to live an authentic life,
Stand proud,
Share the supports I need,
Then shun me when I ask for help.

You redefine my behaviour,
Applying crass stereotypes,
You interpret my needs as needy,
Or worse interpret my authenticity, as rude.

You tell me that if I do not succeed,
Then it must be my fault,
That I haven't tried hard enough,
That I should be grateful for what I have,
That others have it worse than me.

When will neurodivergence be valued?

When will neurodivergent support needs be recognised?

Supporting and Celebrating Neurodiversity,

Jess x x

The Medical Lens:

You view me through a medicalised lens,
Broken,
Incapable,
Dismissed.

You tell me to be exactly who I am,
But not in the way that I am,
You want me to be like me,
But you really want me to be more like you.

You tell me to live an authentic life,
Stand proud,
Share the supports I need,
Then shun me when I ask for help.

You redefine my behaviour,
Applying crass stereotypes,
You interpret my needs as needy,
Or worse interpret my authenticity, as rude.

You tell me that if I do not succeed,
Then it must be my fault,
That I haven't tried hard enough,
That I should be grateful for what I have,
That others have it worse than me.

When will neurodivergence be valued?

When will neurodivergent support needs be recognised?

Supporting and Celebrating Neurodiversity,

Jess x x

Autistic Life Hacks: Sensory Edition Different or atypical sensory experiences are common amongst autistic people - we can be hyper and/or hypo sensitive to different stimuli. We can become overwhelmed by too much sensory input, or if we don’t have enough we can feel sluggish and lethargic or find it difficult to focus. Sensory regul...

Getting the language right!

This week is "Volunteer Week" so I just wanted to say a huge thank you to all the admins of the group and charity committee members for giving up their time to make AllMatters Neurodiverse Jersey such a fabulous safe and supportive area for our ND Community.

Free live webinar coming up 11th. May 2023, click on the link to register

JCPP Advances 2023 Lectures 'What the research tells us; Anxiety, Neurodiversity, Su***de, and Genetics' - ACAMH 'What the research tells us; Anxiety, Neurodiversity, Su***de, and Genetics' is the JCPPA 2023 Lecture series. This free webinar features a series of five fantastic 10-minute lectures from leading researchers, academics and practitioners on key topics in the field of child and adolescent mental heal...

I’m not sure if I posted this one previously but it’s an interesting read,

Diagnostic concerns and revisions to the DSM 5 For those who are not aware, the DSM, is the guideline where the criteria for diagnosing Autism are written down. The DSM is the American version of the criteria, the ICD 11 (International Classification of Diseases) is the European manual, although whether Autism should be described as a ‘mental ...

❤️

This amazing and poignant picture was drawn by a 16 year old PDAer called Charlotte. The following description was written by her mother:

"This is a picture by my 16 year old, Charlie. It is of herself, then and now, as a bullied and undiagnosed child in school and then 4 years into home education and unschooling.

Charlie was diagnosed when she was 12. Due to all of the school based trauma she has cPTSD, severe anxiety and selective mutism. She is autistic PDA and probably ADHD, although that is still undiagnosed.

She's had an incredibly tough life but as you can see, she is now a strong and healthy young woman. She's made a remarkable transformation since leaving school, and she said the most important aspect of that healing was time. There were no words that could have made her feel better, no counsellors or support, she just needed time.

As she shows in her picture, people sitting with her in the dark, holding safe space, not pushing or pulling or talking was all she needed.
Of course I didn't know that at the time and I tried all sorts of ways to help her before I realised she knew best. Then it was simple (but not easy), I just facilitated what she needed, which was a lot of safe time in her bedroom.

This is the first thing she has let me share, and she would like it to help other children who are still in the dark.

She said it's scary being in the dark and she wants all kids to know there is a stronger them on the other side, they just need to trust in the power of time."

Illustration Credit: Charlotte W.

Are we effectively supporting our children who struggle to attend school? What are we doing to help them recover from adverse experiences?

So many children are told to “just get over it” or “you’ll get used to it” - it doesn’t work this way, science has shown us that!

But we are here to help you, whether you’re a teacher or a parent.

Here's where you can start...

📚Have a read of this: https://www.sunshine-support.org/school-attendance-difficulties-and-school-related-trauma

▶️Watch Chrissa’s webinar on ‘School Refusal’ on the Sunshine Academy here: www.sunshine-support.org/academy

🗄 Read and download the free resources here: www.schoolavoidance.Co.uk

📞Request a call from our team here: https://www.sunshine-support.org/advice-and-support

☕️Come to our online Cuppa&Chat and gain support - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/102882187392

And here are some live webinars that might be able to help you...

29/09 How Sleep Impacts School Attendance
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/393058176587

04/10 - How to apply for and manage IDPs (Wales)
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/327111438117

06/10 - ADHD in Children
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/328063906977

11/10 - Selective Mutism in Children - Identifying, Understanding + Supporting
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/334510308337

13/10 - How to Write your EHCP Application - with letter checking service! (In person)- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/406791653787

20/10 - Sensory Processing Difficulties in Children & Young People�https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/372082678307

25/10 - How to apply for an EHCP (online) - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/352886622387

22/11 - Reducing Meltdowns & Optimise Learning Using Zones of Regulation�https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/371296246067 �
29/11 - How to Achieve Funded EOTAS (Education Other Than At School)�https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/376179883157

01/12- Supporting Children & Teens with the PDA Profile
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/373236158397

They make it sound so easy anyone over the age of 21, sounds more like they are desperate and another tick box exercise.

I’d rather struggle on like I am with a broken hip than allow Lily to be cared for without the necessary experience & you can’t train that in 3 months!

It’s a bit late to announce it’s a crisis when there hasn’t been any emergency support for 3 years!

Biggest Foster Care Crisis In A Decade The Children and Education Minister is urging islanders to come forward to help change a child's life - after revealing that Jersey is facing its biggest foster care crisis in a decade.