Author Archives: patguyschoolandfamily

The term ‘demand avoidance’ refers to an individual persistently refusing to comply with such everyday requests as brushing their hair, putting on shoes or sitting at the table for lunch.  The individual seems to resist requests simply because they are being asked to do something by someone else. For the child on the autistic spectrum,Continue reading “Demand Avoidance in Children”

Feelings of anxiety for ASD pupils are often linked to their environment. Ten of the reasons why pupils may feel anxious in school are listed below: most of these anxieties could be eased by simple adjustments. Solution = Provide alternative, smaller areas for pupils to eat their lunch, perhaps outside; relax uniform rules; stagger lessonContinue reading “Autism and school anxiety”

‘Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one’ – Pocahontas. Traditionally speaking, career paths have been straightforward. The young person discovers an area of strength or interest at school, which is then developed through specialist training or higher-level qualifications. Employment is obtained in the field and steady progression made through the ranks until retirement. Continue reading “ADHD and job hopping”

It has been estimated that approximately 1 in 7 individuals in the UK are neurodivergent, with diagnoses increasing year on year. ADHD, (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), diagnoses increased 20-fold between 2000 and 2018, and Autism diagnoses almost doubled between 1998 and 2018.  The rise in numbers of individuals requiring assessments has led to lengthy waitingContinue reading “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure: Autism assessment in the UK”

Cometh the hour, cometh the man …. or woman. Humans have survived as a result of their ability to adapt to their environment. Neurodiversity flourishes because of this need for different ways of thinking in order to cope with change. Neurodiverse individuals may have ASC characteristics and display, for example: an attention to detail andContinue reading “Dyslexic Strengths”

Society has always judged females on their physical appearance. Images from magazines, TV and Instagram reflect current beauty and fashion norms, with models and celebrities reinforcing such trends. As a result of their sensory issues, many neurodivergent girls experience problems when trying to adhere to such ideals:- To help the girl with sensory issues:- TheContinue reading “Fashion and the Neurodivergent Girl”

Individuals with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder may experience problems with healthy eating as a result of their specific ADHD challenges. For example:-   Maintaining a healthy diet require organisation, long-term planning and self-control; all areas which the individual with ADHD finds challenging. Knowledge is power. If you are aware of why you behave asContinue reading “ADHD and a Healthy Diet”

Many students have a difficulty with motivation: they will start a piece of work or an activity with enthusiasm, only to quickly lose interest. Pupils with ADHD and ASD often experience a particular problem with tasks they find tedious, and revision can fall into this category. The pupil will be aware of the importance ofContinue reading “Revision – Motivation for the unmotivated.”

Revision Techniques Maths – 12 top tips Divide your Maths files into topics, so you have an overview of all the information that needs to be covered. Fill in any gaps or add further information you think might be useful, for example, a few worked examples of separate aspects of a topic. 2. Devise aContinue reading “Revision (continued..)”