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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.
Empowering Neurodiversity in UK Education: Inclusive Education Strategies UK
When we think about education, we often picture classrooms where children learn in similar ways. But what if learning looked different for each child? What does inclusive education look like?
Joanne Baldwin
2 days ago4 min read
SEND: The Role of Co-regulation
Children learn regulation through relationships before they can manage it on their own. This is called co-regulation. It happens when an adult lends steadiness, structure, and emotional safety.
Joanne Baldwin
Oct 204 min read
Understanding Sensory Regulation in Children Beyond Calmness
We need to see sensory regulation in children as more than calmness. A child can look “too loud” in one moment, “too quiet” in the next, and deeply absorbed five minutes later. These shifts can confuse adults, especially when they understand regulation only as calm, still, and compliant.
Joanne Baldwin
Oct 135 min read
How Play-Based Learning Can Make Education More Inclusive
Many children are asked to learn in ways that do not fit them. They sit still when they need to move. They answer in words when they think in pictures. Play-based learning can make education more inclusive.
Joanne Baldwin
Oct 910 min read
Play Based Learning Why It Matters for Every Child
Children don’t separate play from learning. Adults do. That’s why play-based learning still matters. It’s not a soft option. It’s not “just playing”. It’s one of the most natural ways children explore.
Joanne Baldwin
Oct 57 min read
Sensory Processing Awareness Month How to Support Children at Home and in the Classroom
October is Sensory Awareness Month, a helpful reminder that children take in information through their senses every minute of the day. For some children, this information feels manageable. For others, ordinary sounds, textures, lights, smells, movements, or body signals can feel too strong, too weak, or confusing.
Joanne Baldwin
Oct 29 min read
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
Sep 295 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
Essential Autism Parenting Tips for UK Families: autism family guidance uk
Navigating the world of autism parenting can feel overwhelming at times. When your child is diagnosed with autism, it’s natural to have a flood of questions and emotions.
Joanne Baldwin
Sep 84 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
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
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