Awesome Archie – Our 2025 Year in Review

As we wrap up another incredible year here at Awesome Archie, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the milestones, memories, and moments of connection that made this year so special. None of this would be possible without our amazing and super supportive community, and we are so proud to share what we’ve achieved with your help! THANKYOU!

Building connection through the Awesome Archie Connection Club

One of our proudest achievements this year was launching the Awesome Archie Connection Club at a local school. This initiative was created by Archie and run by me to support children who sometimes find playtime tough – whether that’s navigating friendships, managing sensory overload, or simply finding a safe space to be themselves.

Through kindness, understanding, and structured play, our club has become a place where children feel seen, supported, and included. Watching friendships grow and confidence bloom has been one of the most rewarding parts of our year. We will of course be continuing this into 2026 and are immensely grateful for the opportunity!

This year also brought an incredible opportunity for us to share our lived experience of autism and neurodiversity with staff at JPMorgan Chase. Being invited into such a major organisation to talk openly about what it means to navigate work, education, and everyday life as an autistic person was both humbling and empowering. This session wasn’t just about awareness, but about building genuine understanding, breaking down stereotypes, and creating more inclusive workplaces where people feel safe to be their authentic selves.

What made the experience so special was the openness and respect shown by the staff. The conversations were honest, thoughtful, and full of curiosity – not just about challenges, but about strengths, talent, and the unique perspectives neurodivergent people bring to teams. Knowing that this session may help shape more compassionate policies and everyday practices was incredibly meaningful, and it reminded me why sharing lived experience is one of the most powerful tools for real and lasting change.

Supporting children through long hospital stays with The UHD Charity

This year, we were honoured to support the UHD charity, helping to raise awareness and funds for children facing long-term hospital stays. These children and their families show extraordinary strength every day, and we felt privileged to play a small part in helping bring comfort, hope, and smiles during incredibly challenging times.

To support, Daisy created and presented an assembly infront to 200 kids, I hosted a week long Art session with a fundraising exhibition and we have been interviewed and photographed to help with the charities promo work.

Through fundraising, advocacy, and community support, we helped shine a light on the reality of long-term hospital stays and the importance of donating time, resources, and care to make those stays a little brighter. Please do check out their website to see what a difference you can make with just a small donation this Christmas.

The BEACH Appeal

Wonderdog Winnie’s amazing assistance dog journey

A highlight of the year was watching our beloved Wonderdog Winnie become a fully fledged assistance dog. Winnie’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring – from intense training to finally achieving her official status. She’s become a symbol of calm, comfort, and the power of support for Archie , Herbie and I, and we couldn’t be prouder of her.

Winnie now goes where Archie goes and recognises the signs of Archie becoming dysregulated and lays on his lap or chest. She sits in his wheelchair with him, lays in his arms as we shop etc, she is AWESOME!! Wonderdog Winnie- WE ADORE YOU!!!

Carols on the driveway – bringing the community together

In true Awesome Archie style, we ended the year surrounded by music, lights, and togetherness with our Awesome Archie Carols on the Driveway. Seeing neighbours and families gather to sing, laugh, and celebrate the season was magical.

We were incredibly lucky to be supported by the Boscombe Salvation Army Band, whose music lifted spirits and filled our street with festive joy. Moments like these remind us why community matters so much. Thanks so much to all who came and to the band for giving your time (for free) just to spread the Christmas message and raise community spirits.

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And Finally… A personal dream came true

On a personal note, this year brought to life a dream that’s been years in the making. My aim when starting Awesome Archie was to make real, lasting change. To share our life experience to bust myths and smash stereotypes and 5 years on , a phenomenal opportunity arouse… I was honoured to land a dream role as a contractor with IMROC.

IMROC (Implementing Recovery through Organisational Change) is a UK-based charity that helps transform mental health and social care systems globally, focusing on recovery-oriented, person-centred support, especially for those with mental health, autism, or long-term conditions, using co-production, training (like Recovery Colleges), consultancy, research, and peer support to build hope and empower people and communities.

This role is so meaningful to me because it brings together everything I care deeply about: lived experience, community, mental health, and creating real, lasting change. To be able to work alongside people who value lived experience, co-production, and hope is more than a job – it’s a privilege. It feels like the next chapter of my own journey, and I’m so grateful to be able to give back in a way that feels so true to who I am personally.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts

To every volunteer, supporter, donor, school, family, and child who has been part of our year – thank you. Awesome Archie has always been about kindness, inclusion, and connection, and this year showed us just how powerful those values can be.

So as the year comes to a close, we’d like to thank you for your continued support and wish you all a very happy Christmas and every good wish for the year ahead. Here’s to another year of compassion, community, and creating brighter days together. 😍

HAPPY CHRISTMAS ALL!!!

This week felt like a real full-circle moment for Archie and me—one of those rare, powerful reminders of how far we’ve come and why we continue doing what we do.

We were invited for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the brand-new children’s wards at the newly built Bournemouth Hospital. The Children’s Hospital isn’t officially opening until June, but we were granted special early access so we could offer our support and see the space that will soon be transforming the lives of so many young patients and their families.

Walking along those enormous brand spangly new corridors ( ready for murals to be painted) with Archie by my side was incredibly emotional. It took me straight back to his own journey—a journey that began with a “minor” surgery but quickly turned into something much bigger. Although the operation itself was straightforward, the medical complications and neurological challenges that go alongside our daily lives, made it a major event for the both of us.

Through all of it, we were met with nothing but empathy, care, and genuine respect from the incredible medical teams who supported us. That experience is exactly why we’ve spent the months since fundraising, raising awareness, and giving back to the UHD Charity in every way we can.

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A Thank-You From Us to Them: “Awesome Archie Has Surgery”

As our way of saying thank you—and as a way to help other children facing scary or unfamiliar medical experiences—Archie and I wrote a children’s book titled Awesome Archie Has Surgery which we officially donated it to the hospital for them to use as a resource to support young patients and spread awareness in an accessible, child-friendly way. Seeing the staff’s reactions, and knowing it will help children feel braver and more prepared, was incredibly special.

Art, Awareness, and the BEACH Appeal

Back in the summer we hosted an Arts Week exhibition to raise funds specifically for the BEACH Appeal—UHD’s campaign dedicated to developing the new children’s unit. Rooms full of colour, creativity, and community came together for a single purpose: to give future families the kind of support Archie and I were lucky enough to receive.

And as if the week wasn’t meaningful enough already, Archie and I were also interviewed and filmed to support the hospital’s upcoming promotional work. Watching him talk confidently, proudly, and openly about his journey was one of those proud-parent moments I’ll never forget. He doesn’t see himself as awesome—but he really is.

@awesomearchie_

Arts week 2025- educating and fundraising on behalf of the BEACH appeal #fypageシ #adhd #autism #awesomearchie #awesomearchienonprofit #summer #beach #fundraiser #art #teachersoftiktok @UHDcharity

♬ original sound – 𝕃𝕪𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕤 – user31218590737

Here’s How You Can Help—And Why It Matters.

The new children’s hospital will soon open its doors, but a building is only the beginning. Creating a nurturing, comforting, fully resourced environment takes community. It takes people like you. The NHS provide the bulding and the medical equipment but kids like Archie need so much more.

Here’s what your support can do:

Every donation, every share, every bit of awareness you spread helps shape the future of pediatric care here in Bournemouth. You can genuinely support the most vulnerable children in their hardest moments, what a gift!

We’ve seen firsthand what this hospital can do. We’ve lived it. And now, we’re honoured to play even a tiny part in supporting its future.

Thank you for being here, for rooting for Archie, and for helping us make sure other families receive the same care, kindness, and hope we did.

Please go to the BEACH appeal UHD website here below to offer your help….you can really change a families life this Christmas!

When I was studying history in senior school 3 million years ago, I remember my favourite teacher (Miss Halford ) talk about how when we write we need to give pro’s and cons for everything. How even though we may have a clear answer in our head we must always share opinion from both sides of an argument to get a more rounded decision from the reader. So this post is just that, Archie and I DO have a clear favourite, but that’s just our view through our own personal experience. Each child and situation is unique so we are totally ok with you disagreeing with us, we just want to share what we have learned to help school staff moving forward and who knows…you may feel the same?

As all SENCO’s will testify, supporting children’s sensory needs is one of the most powerful ways to help them succeed in school—academically, socially, and emotionally. On a regulated child can learn! Two supporting approaches often chatted about are sensory circuits and sensory movement breaks. Both can be brilliant tools, but they work in very different ways and in my years of school support I’ve learned that for me, one has offered more flexibility, practicality, and real-world impact.

But in the words of Miss Halford “Let’s take a look at each before we give away our conclusion”

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So,What Actually Are Sensory Circuits?

Sensory circuits are structured, three-part activity routines often embedded into a timetable. They should include:

1. Alerting activities
2. Organising activities
3. Calming activities

A well-designed and well supported sensory circuit can help regulate a child’s sensory system and prepare them for learning. When they’re done right, they can make a real difference. There are so many positives to sensory circuits ( when they are done in the right frame of time and with a well trained deliverer.)

They can be…

But Here’s the Harsh But True Reality I See In Multiple Schools…

( not their fault BTW!)

In theory, sensory circuits are brilliant but…
In practice, unless a school has a permanent, dedicated setup, they can be a massive job to set up and take down every day. TA’s are already extremely thin on the ground and space is often at a premium.

In my many years of delivering in-school support, I’ve seen this becoming a massive barrier. Staff don’t always have the time, the space, or the training to implement sensory circuits consistently and with the accuracy that they need and deserve. And when something isn’t consistent (IMO) it loses effectiveness and can sometimes make things worse. For example, if you run out of time and don’t hit enough “calming end” to really get a child regulated, you could be sending a pupil into a maths lesson more active than they were when they went in. Likewise, if you make a child too calm they may become so relaxed and almost sleepy that getting in gear for a tough lesson could be near impossible. Its way more complex than many people think!

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So, What Are Sensory Movement Breaks?

Sensory movement breaks are short, responsive, flexible moments throughout the day that support what a child needs right then and there. They might include:

There is no rigid structure, it is just what works for that child in that moment. That’s why I LOVE IT!

Positives of Sensory Movement Breaks

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So, which do Archie and I prefer?

Over the years, and working directly with hundreds of children in schools, I’ve found that sensory movement breaks give me the freedom to use my judgement, professional intuition, and real lived experience knowledge. It’s literally what I have done with my own children their whole lives.

Every child presents differently from day to day, lesson to lesson, moment to moment.
Every classroom has a different atmosphere that can also change in an instant.
Every day brings different challenges, different starting points and different end goals. Even the speed or exertion of the school commute can have a huge impact . There is a real difference in need from a child that has traveled an hour by car compared to the child that has walked for 20 minutes to get in! One will need a calm or soft landing, the other will need a ” wake me up” or an alerting activity to get their brain ready for learning. Some need organising tasks to bring focus while others simply need to calm their body and mind before re-entering learning.

See….its tricky!

In my experience, this level of responsiveness isn’t something you can always get from a pre-planned, fixed sensory circuit. How can it when there are so many variations in need?

And the truth is, many school staff simply haven’t been given the in depth training or lived experience to confidently identify what areas of the sensory circuit need longer than others etc. This isn’t their fault—schools right now are over- stretched, support staff are juggling multiple responsibilities, and sensory expertise isn’t always accessible. Even the ITT packages are very “Surface level “when it comes to SEND training ( IMO) let alone TA the training.

That’s why we champion sensory movement breaks and TA’s with lived experience at Awesome Archie Non Profit.
For me they feel a little more practical, sustainable, child-centred and easier for staff to learn and embed with support. They empower adults to support children in the moment, rather than relying on a system that might not be possible to run consistently.

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Sensory circuits absolutely have value, Sensory movement breaks do too, but the approach that works best is always the one that can be delivered consistently and effectively, with the child’s unique sensory profile at the heart…again , IN MY OPINION!

At Awesome Archie, our lived experience has shown time and time again that flexible, responsive sensory movement breaks are the most realistic and impactful option for most school environments and thats why you’ll often see me and my student on the floor of a corridor with lego 🙂

If your school would like help implementing sensory strategies, training staff, or understanding children’s sensory profiles, we’d be delighted to support you at Neurocreative Media where we can create a bespoke online presentation for you to share with your staff. www.neurocreativemedia.co.uk.

http://www.neurocreativemedia.co.uk

Stumble onto almost any school website in the UK and you’ll probably spot this old beauty…

“Every teacher is a teacher of SEND.”

It’s a powerful statement that signals inclusion and suggests a whole-school commitment.

But here’s the sad truth:

A slogan without action is just website decoration. Oooooph…. I know!!! A few very well-chosen words on a website mean nothing unless they translate into everyday practice, real change, and lived experience for the children who need it the most and, sadly, we are seeing that all too often, they don’t.

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When Inclusion Becomes a Buzzword Instead of a Practice

Schools rarely want to fall short. Many care deeply, but good intentions aren’t the same as meaningful support.

What commonly happens is this:

So, guess what happens?

Children mask, parents chase, teachers firefight… and the phrase “every teacher is a teacher of SEND” becomes nothing more than marketing language or self protection when the inevitable complaints come in!

However, it doesn’t have to be this way. We really want to change the narrative and make that change a long lasting one!

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Equality vs. Equity: Where So Many Schools Still Get Stuck

Equality is giving every child the same thing.
Equity is giving every child what they need to access learning.

From a disability perspective:

Schools often believe they are promoting fairness by treating everyone the same, but fair does not mean identical. Fair means accessible, achievable, and humane.

We have always told our children that “fair isn’t everyone getting the same, it’s everyone getting what THEY need!

Understanding this is the foundation of true inclusion.

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So What Does a Truely Neuroaffirming School Look Like?

A neuroaffirming school doesn’t try to “fix” neurodivergent children or make then fit into the same routines and learning styles. It adapts the environment so the children can thrive, as individuals! In practice this may look like…

Sensory needs being acknowledged and not dismissed

Visual tools are used across the whole school As Standard

Not just for “SEND children,” but for everyone.

Staff FULLY understanding that behaviour is communication

Meltdowns aren’t “naughtiness”.
Shutdowns aren’t “defiance”.
Fidgeting isn’t “poor attitude”.
Instead, staff look for the unmet need underneath.

Language is supportive and affirming, not shaming

No more:

Instead:

Adults model emotional regulation

A dysregulated adult cannot regulate a dysregulated child.
Training matters — but so does culture. No neurodivergent child thrives under a “shouty” or quick to temper teacher!

Parents are partners, not problems

Meetings should be collaborative, not confrontational. These parents are probably terrified for their children’s future and have been consistently let down by a broken system. Believe me when I tell you… It’s ALOT!

Concerns are listened to, not dismissed.
Support plans are co-created, not imposed. Peer support is EVERYTHING!!!!

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So How Schools Can Turn That Famous Buzz Phrase Into Real Action ?

Here are practical ways that schools can ensure that saying “every teacher is a teacher of SEND” is a genuine statement and not just a cool thing to say!

Whole-school CPD that is practical, not theoretical

Teachers need real strategies they can use tomorrow morning — not 50 pages of PowerPoint definitions. Anyone can Google, it’s lived experience where the real learning happens.

Consistent tools in every classroom

Imagine if every classroom used:

Student profiles used daily, not gathering dust in a file

Teachers and TA’s should be able to glance at a child’s profile and know exactly how to support them. We have created you an example for this a little further down 🙂

Neuroaffirming policies, not punitive ones

This means rethinking:

Regular communication and RESPECT between staff, SENCOs, and parents

Support should evolve with the child — not be set once and forgotten. For heavens sake, LOOK AFTER AND LISTEN TO YOUR SENCO’S… THEY ARE EVERYTHING!!!!!!

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Individual Student Profile, Our Student One Pagers

Below is our example of a student profile that a teacher could keep to hand or have easily accessible for new TA’s or supply teachers. We call it the “one pager” because it hits the key points FAST!

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This is the type of tool that turns inclusion from intention into impact.

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Because Inclusion Isn’t a Tagline — It’s a Culture

A school cannot call itself inclusive because it says the right words. It becomes inclusive when children feel safe, understood, supported and valued for who they already are.

“Every teacher is a teacher of SEND” should be more than a trending phrase, it should be a promise — backed up by action, training, compassion and a willingness to rethink the old systems.

Neurodivergent children deserve nothing less. School is tough enough, when you are neurodivergent… its a whole other level!

When we support our awesome students and staff properly, the whole school benefits.

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This weeks blog has essentially been in the making for almost 20 years….no joke!

For years, I thought I was simply “bad at adulting.”
Bad at keeping the house tidy. Bad at remembering appointments.
Bad at staying calm when three things happened at once.

I’ve had years of giving one negative self talk after the other. Why can’t I parent like Jen? Why is Maggie’s home always so tidy and mine is a disaster? What’s wrong with me?

I didn’t realise I was a neurodivergent mum trying to navigate life and parenting with unsupported ADHD. I’ve always been told that I’m “loud, crazy, great for a laugh” but people didn’t see the inner turmoil that I had lived with all my life. Feeling different and perceiving that difference as nothing but negative and trying to force myself to be like everyone else.

Thankfully , those days are long gone, but it has taken work, research and self kindness to get me here.

When You Don’t Know You Have ADHD, Everything Feels Like a Personal Failure

Looking back at my early parenting years, I can now see the impact of my undiagnosed ADHD in every aspect of my early mum years.

At the time, I thought these struggles meant I wasn’t trying hard enough.
But the truth was so much simpler: I didn’t yet understand my brain awesome neurodivergent brain.

Understanding My Brain Was the Turning Point

My late awakening to my neurotype wasn’t a surprise — it was a relief, a game changer.
A clarity I didn’t even know I needed. BUT FLIP, I NEEDED IT!

I suddenly had words for experiences I had carried alone for years.
I understood why everyday tasks felt so draining, why motivation came in unpredictable and unreliable wafts, and why the simplest chores would feel like climbing a nevr ending mountain.

And knowing this didn’t just help me — it reshaped how I supported my children, rwo of whom who share some of these traits too.

Learning to Support Myself AND My Kids

Over the years, I’ve learned that supporting my children starts with supporting myself.
I can’t pour from an empty cup, and I definitely can’t organise a family calendar if my own executive function is running on fumes.

Some of the things that have helped me include:

These strategies don’t magically stop my many moments of overwhelm, but they do give me the tools I need to handle it a whole lot better.
They help me to keep my home running, even on the messier days — and trust me, there are still a good few messy days but its manageable! We always have clean clothes, clean dishes, food in the fridge and I rarely forget appointments nowadays so I feel like I’m winning! So much better for my mental health.

Why “Simple” Chores Aren’t Simple for All of Us

As part of this journey, we’ve created a little graphic to share some of the biggest lessons we’ve learned about ADHD and everyday life.

It explains why tasks that others see as “easy” — things like laundry, dishes, forms, phone calls — can feel almost impossible for ADHD brains to start.

It’s not laziness!
It’s not lack of care!
It’s our unique brains executive function — the part of the brain responsible for planning, prioritising, organising, and initiating tasks. Mine is needing a bit of something extra, a support buddy, a kick up the bum 😉

And when that part of your brain plays by different rules, your daily life does too.

Moving Forward With Understanding and Compassion

Being a neurodivergent parent is both challenging and truly beautiful.
It forces you to learn yourself deeply, to adapt creatively, and to parent with a deep and powerful empathy that only grows from lived experience.

I am not, nor will ever be a “perfect” mum, there is no such thing — but I am an aware one.
A learning one. An advocating and neuroaffirming one.
A mum who understands her brain and her children’s brains better than ever before.

And that, to me, feels like a totally awesome victory.

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In my last blog I stated that I hate the word “normal”. This prompted me to do a bit of research and you may be surprised as to what I discovered!

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word “normal” means:

“Conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected.”

For most of our lives, we’ve been told that normal looks a certain way — tidy routines, predictable behaviors, quiet mealtimes, and neatly organized days. But in our awesome neurodivergent family, that definition doesn’t fit. And honestly, we’re okay with that.

Because our kind of normal looks very different — and it works beautifully for us.

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In our home, what might look unusual to outsiders is simply everyday life for us.

We build our routines around our neurotypes, needs, and energy levels, not around what others think we “should” be doing. Some days we start more slowly, with quiet corners, soft lights, and time to regulate before tackling the day. Other days, our living room becomes a sensory play zone, full of music, movement, and laughter.

Our flexible structure gives us the freedom to meet everyone’s needs — including our PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) son’s need for autonomy and choice. We know that choice and flexibility help him to feel safe, and when he feels safe, we all thrive, not just survive

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Neuroaffirming, Not ‘Fixing’

We don’t see anyone in our family as needing to be “fixed” or “changed.” We are not broken.
Instead, we approach each day with a neuroaffirming mindset — one that recognizes every brain as valid and valuable. Each of us has a part to play and is an integral place in our family.

When someone needs quiet time, we honor it. When emotions run high, we focus on connection before correction. We celebrate stims, special interests, and creative communication.

Ourmain aim isn’t to make our children (or ourselves) fit into a “neurotypical world”, but to create a home where everyone belongs exactly as they are. No masking needed!

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So, our home may look abit different from others — we have soft lighting instead of harsh overhead bulbs, cozy sensory corners, weighted blankets, noise-cancelling headphones, and fidget toys all over the place!

This isn’t indulgence; it’s accessibility.
A sensory-friendly environment allows us all to regulate and reset — to feel safe, comfortable, and capable.

This is what normal looks like for us.

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So We Are Redefining Normal

If “normal” means “usual, typical, or expected,” then our life is normal — for our family.

What’s usual for us might seem unusual to others, but that’s the beauty of neurodiversity: there isn’t one right way to live, parent, learn, or love. Every family has its own rhythm, and ours happens to be built on understanding, acceptance, and flexibility.

So yes, we’re a little different. PROUDLY SO!
Our days don’t follow a traditional path and never have.
But our home is full of unconditional love joy, creativity, and compassion — and that, to us, is perfectly normal.

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Ian and I have been together for almost 25 years and although our marriage hasn’t been plain sailing (no marriage ever is) I know that he knows me so well that often he see’s things in me that I cant!

These last two decades have proven to me — I’m often the last to notice when I’m starting to struggle. It’s not that I’m ignoring it on purpose; it’s just that the signs creep in slowly and quietly. I start moving less, my motivation dips, I stop replying to messages, and yet, somehow, I convince myself everything’s fine.

It’s usually my lovely husband who spots it first. He seems to know before I do when I’m heading into a low patch. He’ll notice the little things — my tone, my energy, the way I retreat into myself — and gently ask, “Are you okay?” Sometimes I brush it off, often I get defensive. But deep down, I know he’s right.

I genuinly really value that about him — the way he can see me even when I can’t see myself. It’s a reminder that sometimes we need the people who love us to hold up a mirror. And while it can be hard to face, that mirror can also be what helps us find our way back.

So, Why It’s So Hard to Notice Our Own Struggles?

Looking back, I think part of the reason it’s so difficult is that our minds are good at adapting, for me masking is a part of my everyday and often I forget who I really am. When things start to get heavy, we tell ourselves it’s just stress, tiredness, or hormones. We normalise feeling off because it happens slowly — one small compromise at a time. Sadly , if you spend months or years feeling like this , it becomes your ” normal”… Sorry, I HATE that word!!!

For many people, especially those who are neurodivergent like me, this can be even trickier. We so expertly learn to “mask” our difficulties — to keep going, to blend in, to cope quietly. After years of doing that, it becomes second nature to push through instead of pause. So when we start slipping, we don’t always recognise it as something more than a bad day.

I’ve also learned how important it is to reach out when we notice someone else struggling — even if we’re not sure. It doesn’t have to be dramatic or intrusive. It can be as simple as sending a message or saying, “You don’t seem quite yourself lately, how are you doing?”

The truth is, sometimes people don’t know how to ask for help, or they don’t even realise they need it. A small gesture can make a huge difference. And honestly, even if you’re wrong and they’re perfectly fine, it doesn’t matter — you’ve still shown that you care. You’ve still done your part.

But… There Is Also The Denial We Don’t Talk About

Denial can be sneaky. I’ve caught myself thinking, “I can handle this,” or, “I’ve been worse before.” It’s easy to minimise your own feelings because admitting you’re struggling feels like weakness, fixing things is too big a task — or because you’re afraid of being “too much.”

But I’ve learned (and am still learning) that acknowledging you’re not okay doesn’t make you weak. It’s actually one of the strongest things you can do. It’s also one of the kindest — because it gives the people who love you a chance to show up for you.

I’m a big believer that we all have a role to play in each other’s wellbeing. Here are a few things I’ve found helpful — both as someone who struggles and someone who tries to support others:

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These days, when Ian tells me he senses I’m dipping, I try not to dismiss it, although my initial reaction is usually defensiveness. I take a breath and check in with myself. Sometimes he’s wrong — but more often than not, he’s right. ( Dont tell him though please 😉 )

And I’ve realised that’s not a sign of weakness. It’s a reminder that we’re not meant to go through life alone. We need those people who can see the clouds gathering before we do — and we need to be that person for others too. Sometimes that feels awkward or like an overstep, but you never know, you could save a life!

Because in the end, even if you reach out and they’re fine, you’ve still reminded them that they matter. And that simple act — seeing someone, really seeing them — might just be what gets them through.

www.neurocreativemedia.co.uk

Ian and I have never made a secret of the fact that being parent carers is tough at times. Don’t get us wrong, we ADORE our children and know how lucky we are to have them, but it’s not easy.

Firstly, the whole “18 summers” thing is not our reality. Archie will need our full care for his whole life and that can occasionally terrify us (although we also love that he’ll never leave home 😉 ). Occasionally, people will say things like “you dont know that” to which we reply “we do!”. That’s because we have fully accepted. We have traveled through all the emotional phases of acceptance, denial being the first one for us and we now see our role. A role that we are truthfully proud to play! However, we do still need the odd “Beckie and Ian time” and last weekend was just that.

This weekend, Ian and I slipped away for a much-needed break in London: a blend of work, fun, and proper “us” time. We headed into the city for the tes SEND Show (and yes – we balanced the “educational/professional” bit with the “have fun as a couple” bit).

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The tes SEND show 2025 – In LBDC

The tes SEND Show is one of the UK’s leading events for special educational needs and disability (SEND) — bringing together educators, parents, carers, practitioners, and suppliers to connect, learn and explore inclusive practice. It is my work version of Disneyland… I LOVE IT!!

It was held at the Business Design Centre in London and offered a rich programme: CPD-certified seminars, a “Parent, Carer & Teacher Forum”, and over 150 exhibitors showcasing resources, technologies and services aimed at supporting children & young people with SEN.

For us, it was the perfect mix of being professionally curious and personally connected: we wandered the exhibitor stands, chatted with folks and grabbed ideas. We caught up with friends we have made over the years of attendance, like the brilliant Dale Pickles, made new connections but left enough enegry for us to just be us!

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London – Just Us

After the show, we carved out some proper couple time. Now dont worry, we havent gone all mushy 😉 We had a lovely stroll, did some sightseeing and a little bit of indulgence — and it felt so good to shift from carer mode into “Ian & Beckie” mode. It was nice to remeber all the fun things I like about my husband, it’s sometimes all too easy to forget when you are both run off your feet in the day to day!

It was a reminder that these rare breaks really matter. Because, being a parent carer is wonderful, but it’s also constant… and having a moment where we don’t have to think primarily about caring, logistics, managing things for someone else — really gives you a reset.

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When you’re a carer (especially a parent carer) you’re always “on”. You’re endlessly managing the needs of someone else, balancing work, support, home life, and more. It’s meaningful work, wonderful work— but exhausting, and the value of stepping away is huge.

It gives perspective: you realise that you are allowed to be Ian & Beckie too — not just “carer” or “parent”. It restores energy. Even a short break can fill your emotional tank, help you reconnect, laugh, recharge. It strengthens your relationship time together, just for you two, reminds you of what you share beyond the caring role. It improves your well-being, for both of you. That bit of “normal life” helps you show up better in your carer/parent role too.

And yes — we came back refreshed, motivated, and glad we made the time.

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So if you’re reading this and you’re thinking “we should take a break” — do it. Even if you’re deeply involved in caring, even if it feels “impossible right now” — the benefits are real. Taking time for you doesn’t mean you’re neglecting your caring role. It means you’re sustaining it.

And if you ever get an invite or chance to attend the tes SEND Show (or something similar) — go. Combine purpose with pleasure. Learn, explore, and then let yourself off the hook to just be.

Here’s to next years weekend escape, Ian & Beckie-style.

For the past five years, I’ve poured my heart into running a non-profit that proudly supports autistic individuals and their families. That work — the community we’ve built, the voices we’ve uplifted, and the awareness we’ve raised — will always be part a huge of me. It’s so much more than a project; it’s Archie’s legacy.

But as anyone who walks this path knows, growth often comes with new directions. And now, it feels like the right time to take a deep breath, trust what I’ve learned, and branch out into something new.

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Introducing NeuroCreative Media.

After 17 years of continuous learning, creating, and advocating, I’m so proud (and slightly terrified!) to launch my new venture: NeuroCreative Media. For details, day rates and services info check out our brand new website by clicking the link below.

https://www.neurocreativemedia.co.uk/

This new and exiting chapter brings together everything I’ve come to love — consultation, advocacy, and digital creation — all grounded in my neuroaffirming ethos. My mission is to collaborate with big hitting charities, schools, companies, and individuals whose values align with ours: inclusion, understanding, and respect for all kinds of minds.

Whether it’s through digital storytelling, awareness campaigns, training, or creative projects, NeuroCreative Media is here to help share the message that our brains — in all their remarkable diversity — deserve to be celebrated.

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A New Purpose

For me personally, this is a big step. It’s scary to move into something new, but it’s also deeply exciting. Over the years, I’ve gained so many skills — from public speaking and advocacy to creative design, digital media, and connecting with communities.

Its finally MY time to grow and to achieve my own personal goals. Goals that as many parent/ carers will testify , have had to be placed on the back burner for almost two decades!

Now I get to use all of my life experiences and education in a new way — to help others tell their stories, raise awareness, and create real, lasting change.

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Neurodivergence and mental health isn’t just a topic for me — it’s my whole life. It’s my family, my community, and my own identity. With every project, I bring not only professional experience and training, but also lived experience and a genuine passion for representation that feels real.

Because when we talk about autism, ADHD, and mental health, we’re not just talking about challenges — we’re talking about creativity, resilience, brilliance and connection.

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Starting something new for me is always a mix of nerves and excitement, but I know this next step will open doors to even more meaningful work assisting in real change from the top!

NeuroCreative Media is built on the same foundation that’s guided me from the start: compassion, authenticity, and a belief in the power of storytelling to make the world a more inclusive place.

Here’s to the next chapter — to new collaborations, creative projects, and continuing to celebrate the incredible diversity of the human brain.

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🖋️ Written by Rebecca Clapcott — Writer, Digital Creator & Neurodivergent Advocate
Owner of NeuroCreative Media.

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Now before you panic, we want to reassure you, it is NEVER too late to make positive changes. If you are worried that the childhood period has passed so you cant support, you can take a breath. This is simply the ideal from my own lived experience.

We know that across the world, autistic adults (like me) are experiencing high levels of mental health struggles—often linked not to neurotype itself, but to how the wider society has misunderstood and treated them. Anxiety, depression, burnout, and isolation are super common outcomes for people who grow up feeling unseen, misunderstood, or pressured to “mask” who they are. If we want to change the ending to this really sad story, the solution has to begin much earlier: in schools.

It seems as though the children who are supported, educated, and advocated for in their early years are more likely to grow into self-assured, self-aware adults. Assured adults are not accidental—they are nurtured by environments that recognise their value, listen to their voices, and affirm their differences.

For us as an organisation, we feel that for many autistic children, the experience of being “seen” is transformative. When educators, peers, and families take the time to understand their individual needs and perspectives, they learn that their feelings matter. Validation gives them the courage to express themselves and the resilience to navigate those daily challenges. On the other hand, being ignored or dismissed can plant seeds of self-doubt that can follow them into adulthood.

Archie and I truly believe that a child who feels safe sharing their emotions in school is more likely to grow into an adult who can regulate, reflect, and advocate for their mental wellbeing in adulthood.

So what can schools do NOW?

Schools are uniquely placed to prevent future mental health struggles among autistic adults. What a gift that is! Schools can:

These steps won’t just create a more inclusive classroom; they can create lifelong protective factors against poor mental health in adulthood. That is LIFECHANGING!

Why WE Encourage Advocacy Beyond the Classroom.

Support also means advocating for children within systems—whether it’s securing the right educational support, ensuring their voices are heard in decisions, or challenging stigma in our wider society. When kids grow up with champions in their corner, they are more likely to internalize the belief that they deserve respect and care. We at Awesome Archie want to champion YOU!

From “Seen” Children to Thriving, Mental Health Aware Adults

For us it seems that assured and self-aware autistic adults will come from autistic children whose feelings were heard, whose differences were honored, and whose identities were celebrated. Schools and parents have the power to reduce the number of autistic adults struggling with their mental health—not by “fixing” them, but by building environments where they are safe to be wholesomely themselves.

The path to healthier autistic adulthood is clear: support, education, and advocacy today creates resilience, confidence, and self-acceptance tomorrow.

Lifelong change begins by truly seeing the child that is right in front of us now!

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