The Autism & ADHD Advocates

What if the problems we see later in life started years earlier in school?

School refusal.
Exclusion.
Poor mental health.
NEET risk.
Unemployment.
Addiction.
Homelessness.
Family crisis.

These are not always separate issues.

For many children and young people, the warning signs were there all along, unmet SEN, misunderstood behaviour, executive functioning difficulties, sensory overwhelm, anxiety and a lack of the right support.

SEN is not just a school issue.

It is prevention work.

Read the blog here:

SEN Is Not Just a School Issue | SEND, NEET Risk and Early Support — The Autism & ADHD Advocates CIC When children with SEN are not properly supported in school, the impact can follow them into adulthood. This blog explores the links between unmet SEN, NEET risk, poor mental health, homelessness, addiction, unemployment and family crisis.

A diagnosis can be helpful, but it is only the starting point.

As parents, we also need to understand the skills underneath our child’s behaviour, things like

working memory,
emotional regulation,
planning, organisation
flexible thinking.

When we understand what is actually difficult, we can stop blaming the child and start supporting the need.

Because our children are more than a diagnosis.

What Parents Need to Know: A Diagnosis Is Only the Starting Point — The Autism & ADHD Advocates CIC A diagnosis can help explain autism, ADHD and SEND needs, but it does not always tell parents what support a child needs. Learn why understanding executive functioning skills matters.

Coventry SEND Families, Please Share Your Views

Coventry City Council is currently reviewing the SEND Local Offer, and there are family engagement meetings taking place across Coventry.

I’ll be attending some of these meetings and would really like to take feedback from families who may not be able to attend themselves.

If you are a Coventry parent or carer of a child or young person with SEND, Autism, ADHD, or you are waiting for assessment, please complete this short form.

It asks what is working, what is difficult, and what support families feel is missing.

All feedback will be anonymised. I’ll only share the main themes and comments without names.

Your voice matters, and this is a chance to help Coventry understand what families are really experiencing.

Please complete the form here:

https://forms.gle/gc1j2HJVLm1jN25k9

Please share with other Coventry SEND families.
The Autism & ADHD Advocates
Sarah-Jane
The Autism & ADHD Advocates CIC

Coventry SEND Family Feedback Coventry City Council is currently reviewing the SEND Local Offer and wants to hear from families. The Autism & ADHD Advocates CIC is gathering feedback from Coventry parents and carers so we can share common themes with the SEND Engagement Team. Your response will help highlight what is working wel...

I’ve started a new blog series explaining each executive functioning skill in a simple, practical way.

These are the hidden brain skills behind things like getting started, managing time, solving problems, making decisions, controlling impulses, coping with change and regulating emotions.

When we understand the skill underneath the behaviour, we can understand children so much better.

I’ll be adding more blogs to the series over the next few weeks.

You can read them here: https://www.autismadhdadvocates.org/blogs

Problem-solving is an executive functioning skill we use all day, every day.

When plans change, or something goes wrong, the brain has to work out what to do next. For some children, that can feel overwhelming, and what looks like “overreacting” may actually be their brain getting stuck.

Problem Solving and Executive Functioning: Why the Brain Gets Stuck — The Autism & ADHD Advocates CIC Problem solving is an executive functioning skill linked to flexible thinking, emotional regulation and decision making. Learn why some children get stuck when plans change or problems happen.

Some children are not being lazy when they don’t start a task.

They may be struggling with **task initiation**.

This is the executive functioning skill that helps us move from thinking about doing something to actually starting it.

They might know what needs doing.
They might want it done.
They might feel stressed it is not done.

But their brain can still feel stuck.

Sometimes they don’t need a lecture.

They need help with the first step.
The Autism & ADHD Advocates

Task Initiation and ADHD: Why Starting Feels Impossible — The Autism & ADHD Advocates CIC Task initiation is an executive functioning skill linked to motivation, dopamine and ADHD. Learn why starting tasks can feel impossible and how to support children who struggle to begin.

We have added more family support session at family hubs across Coventry till July.

Free SEN Family Support Sessions | Coventry & Warwickshire | The Autism & ADHD Advocates CIC View free SEN support sessions for parents and carers across Coventry and Warwickshire. Workshops cover autism, ADHD, sensory processing, emotional regulation, executive functioning and understanding behaviour.

When a child shouts, argues or lashes out, it is easy to label them as aggressive.

But sometimes aggression is not who they are. It is their response to feeling overwhelmed, misunderstood, unable to cope or constantly getting things wrong.

My new blog explains reactive aggression and why we need to look beneath the behaviour, while still keeping everyone safe.

Read the blog here: https://www.autismadhdadvocates.org/blogs/reactive-aggression-in-children

Reactive Aggression in Children: Looking Beneath the Behaviour — The Autism & ADHD Advocates CIC Is your child really aggressive, or are they overwhelmed and struggling to cope? Understand reactive aggression, distress responses and unmet needs in children.

🔥 GIRLS ON FIRE 🔥

A brand new 6 week DJ programme for young women & girls aged 11–18 in Coventry 🎧💜

Learn from BBC Asian Network DJ Kizzi, build confidence, develop new skills, meet other girls, and work towards performing LIVE at HMV Empire Coventry!

✨ No experience needed
✨ Female only safe space
✨ Music, creativity & confidence building
✨ Real conversations & support
✨ Refreshments provided

📍 COV, John Sinclair House, Coventry CV1 4LY
📅 Every Wednesday 4:30pm – 6:30pm
🗓 Starts 3rd June 2026
🎤 Live performance at HMV Empire on 2nd July

Sign up here 👇
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMXWFWyQGUB8ihAG9TXQRpTOIlVP4cUK9iGFTdNQz53-EaSQ/viewform?usp=header

Please share with any young women or families who may be interested 💜

Girls on Fire DJ Kizzi Workshops We invite you to take park in a six week DJ programme with BBC Radio Dj Kizzi. Young people taking part in these workshops will work towards performing a set, live on stage with DJ Kizzi. We wish to invite young women and girls aged 11-18 years to have the opportunity to perform at our COV Fire in t...