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Neurodiversity at Home Blog
Welcome to Neurodiversity at Home, a space created to support parents, carers, and educators of neurodiverse children. Here you’ll find lived experiences, practical advice, and resources on SEN support in the UK, reflections on neurodiversity in education, and questions like how to support an autistic child at school.
You can also explore my book, Neurodiversity in Education a neurodiversity book for parents and educators, where I share my personal journey, echoing the experiences of many families raising and teaching neurodiverse children.
Education: Social Media Bullying and Responsibility
I overheard a teacher describing a situation involving her pupils, social media, and bullying. Teachers play a big part in safeguarding children in their care. The parents of these children wanted the teacher to sort out the bullying. She said she talked to all the children concerned, but what else could she do? What should she do?
Joanne Baldwin
Jul 303 min read
International Best Practices: What England could learn about SEND
SEND lessons for England. There are many strengths in the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system; however, many countries achieve better outcomes. England could adopt several successful practices.
Joanne Baldwin
Jul 213 min read
SEN: School Refusal is on the Increase
School refusal is usually due to Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) or School Distress. These terms recognise that most children are not refusing school out of defiance
Joanne Baldwin
Jul 133 min read
SEN: Is Extra Time in Exams a Fair Test
Extra time is given to ensure that the exam measures the student's understanding of the subject rather than the effects of sensory challenges.
Joanne Baldwin
Jun 243 min read
SEN: How to Support Alexithymia
Supporting someone with alexithymia often involves helping them navigate emotions in ways that don't rely solely on emotional insight or emotional language.
Joanne Baldwin
Jun 223 min read
Mental Health: Creating a safe place with Art.
Art isn’t just about making something that looks nice—it’s about giving shape to things that are often hard to say out loud—allowing a person to express themselves.
Joanne Baldwin
May 44 min read
SEN: Treatment for OCD in Children
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic mental health condition marked by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental acts (compulsions) performed to relieve distress.
Joanne Baldwin
Apr 202 min read
SEN: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that can be intense, exhausting, and interfere with daily life. It’s not just about being tidy.
Joanne Baldwin
Apr 132 min read
SEND: Occupational Therapist and Neurodiversity
An Occupational therapy Assessment is essential to support Autism. Along with the diagnosis pathway, an Occupational Therapist (OT) can empower an autistic child
Joanne Baldwin
Feb 272 min read
SEND: Save our Children's Rights in UK
Save Our Children's Rights (SOCR) is a UK-based campaign coalition launched in 2025 that defends the legal rights of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Joanne Baldwin
Feb 232 min read
What is a Speech and Language Therapist (SALT)
Speech and Language Therapist (SALT) is a healthcare profession that helps children and adults who have difficulties with communication, speech and language.
Joanne Baldwin
Feb 192 min read
Social Media: We will Destroy Childhood with the Internet
Protecting our children from the effects of the Social Media should, in part, be the responsibility of those who created it.
Joanne Baldwin
Jan 273 min read
Supporting a Child With Sensory Overload During the Christmas Holidays
Support your child with sensory overload this Christmas with practical tips for calmer routines, reduced overwhelm, and a more enjoyable festive season.
Joanne Baldwin
Dec 6, 20253 min read
Excluded in Primary School for those with Special Educational Needs
Why are children in the UK's Primary Schools being excluded? What is driving the recent rise? Some organisations and experts call for a rethink of exclusion practices
Joanne Baldwin
Nov 28, 20254 min read
Finding Local Support for Carers: The Powerful Impact of Talking
Finding Local Support for carers with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. The powerful impact of talking to others who understand, sharing stories and advice.
Joanne Baldwin
Nov 24, 20252 min read
Autistic Employment: Challenges, Opportunities and Rights in the UK
Employment discrimination against individuals with autism in the UK is a significant issue. Only twenty per cent of Autistic people get work compared to fifty per cent of disabled people as a whole.
Joanne Baldwin
Nov 21, 20253 min read
USA IEP: How to Make a Request for IEP Assessment.
The USA IEPs for special education needs services are governed by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which is equivalent to the UK's EHCNA.
Joanne Baldwin
Nov 16, 20253 min read
Why Inclusion for Special Educational Needs Isn’t Working
Inclusion is the concept that children with special educational needs (SEN) can thrive in a mainstream school setting. The UK offers an inclusive philosophy but not a structural framework.
Joanne Baldwin
Nov 15, 20254 min read
Why is Poor Behaviour a big issue for schools
Why is poor behaviour a big issue for schools? We must ask why this is happening because understanding the root causes is the first step towards positive change.
Joanne Baldwin
Nov 13, 20253 min read
Mental Health: How Childhood Trauma Has a Big Effect
Explore how childhood trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) shape mental health, relationships, and future wellbeing. How can education systems do more to support?
Joanne Baldwin
Nov 7, 20253 min read
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