Latest News for Parents & Carers

The National Autistic Society has responded to a new paper on the definition of autism, saying it may jeopardise access to support and lead to more stigma. Professor Uta Frith’s paper suggests that autism has become too broad to be useful, as it is currently diagnosed as a single condition encompassing a wide range of people, from those needing round-the-clock care to those who live independently.

The new school year is approaching soon. Many families are buying uniforms, packing school bags and getting back into routines. But if your child is disabled or has additional support/learning needs, they can be a lot more to think about. 

Carers tell of their struggles to get loved ones the support they need, and the emotional and financial toll caring takes on their own lives.

Parents are suing a special school after a BBC investigation uncovered CCTV footage showing autistic children being locked inside calming rooms and abused. Ten families are claiming that their children – all of whom had learning disabilities or several mental disorders – were amongst those harmed by their treatment in the rooms.

Only 6% of disabled children in England will receive any holiday club support this summer, research shared with ITV News reveals. The findings, from disability charity Sense, show that one in 10 councils commission no holiday clubs for disabled children at all, leaving more than 61,000 children in areas with no provision whatsoever.