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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.
SEND Reform in England: Where Are We Now?
There has been a lot of discussion about the UK Government’s plans to reform special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision. For families, schools and professionals.
Joanne Baldwin
2 hours ago5 min read
SEND: Dysregulation in Autism and ADHD
Dysregulation in children with autism and ADHD means that, for a period of time, their nervous system is having difficulty managing their emotional, sensory, physical or behavioural state.
Joanne Baldwin
Sep 213 min read
SEND: Preparation for starting School
For a neurodivergent or SEND child, the start of a school year is often less about “preparing for school to learn” and more about making the environment predictable, accessible and emotionally safe enough for learning to happen.
Joanne Baldwin
Sep 24 min read
Traditional vs Progressive Education
Traditional vs Progressive education is a topic of conversation, especially regarding Neurodiversity and the different ways we learn. Progressive education is an approach to teaching that puts the learner at the centre of education.
Joanne Baldwin
Aug 244 min read
7-Day Happiness Hormones-Boosting Challenge
Ready to feel happier, more motivated, and emotionally balanced? This 7-day challenge is designed to help you naturally increase your brain’s happiness hormones.
Joanne Baldwin
Aug 204 min read
Brain’s happiness chemicals—serotonin, endorphins, dopamine, and oxytocin.
Our brains produce four key chemicals that play a massive role in our mood, motivation, and overall happiness: serotonin, endorphins, dopamine, and oxytocin.
Joanne Baldwin
Aug 173 min read
SEN:Why Do We Need to Move to Learn
“Why do we need to move around to learn?” The brain may not have evolved to learn while sitting still. The short answer is: movement helps the brain learn.
Joanne Baldwin
Aug 114 min read
SEN: Heavy work for SEN Children
Heavy Work is like giving the nervous system a "reset" through purposeful muscle activity. In the context of dysregulation, heavy work for SEN children refers to activities that require the muscles.
Joanne Baldwin
Aug 43 min read
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
SEND: Do we Need Learning Support?
Learning Support Assistants (LSAs), also called teaching assistants or classroom support assistants in some schools, play an important role in supporting pupils with additional needs. However, there are both advantages and disadvantages to relying on them.
Joanne Baldwin
Jul 62 min read
Has Finland's Education system really failed?
Finland is still widely respected for its education system, but it has slipped from the very top of many international rankings compared with the early 2000s.
Joanne Baldwin
Jun 292 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
SEN: What is Alexithymia
Alexithymia is a personality trait (not a mental illness by itself) that involves difficulty identifying, understanding, and describing one's own emotions.
Joanne Baldwin
Jun 152 min read
NEET: What does this mean for our Young People?
NEET means “Not in Education, Employment, or Training.” This is used by governments, researchers, schools, and charities to describe young people between 16–24-year-olds.
Joanne Baldwin
Jun 13 min read
Challenges and Opportunities for Autistic and Disability Employment Rights in the UK
Employment discrimination against individuals with autism and disability employment rights in the UK is a significant issue, despite legal protections and increasing awareness.
Joanne Baldwin
May 203 min read
Emotions: Zones of Regulation vs Co-regulation
When children experience big emotions, they don’t automatically know how to manage them. Emotional regulation develops over time, in stages, with support.
Joanne Baldwin
May 112 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
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