Latest News for Parents & Carers

Falkirk wheelchair racer Abby Cook said she was “speechless” after being chosen as the 42nd Blue Peter presenter. Abby, 20, will join Mwaka Mudenda, Joel Mawhinney and Henry the dog.

Attempting to announce that the Loose Women presenter and driving force behind the Rights on Flights campaign had been announced as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, The Sun opted for the headline: ‘Cha Cha Chair’ with the subheadline ‘First wheelchair contestant’. Responding on Twitter to the headline, Sophie said:

“‘CHA, CHA, CHAIR….’ is this actually for real? @TheSun we need to have a word. I am NOT a wheelchair. I am a PERSON who uses a wheelchair.”

New ONS census data has found that there has been a large increase in the number of disabled girls aged 10 to 14 and 15 to 19 years of age. Between 2011 and 2021 the numbers rose from 6.8% to 12.2% in England and 7.1% to 13.3% in Wales. Contact thinks this is due to a combination of factors including later diagnosis in girls for autistic spectrum conditions, plus a greater awareness of autism. As well as the fact that girls are more likely to have mental health problems in their teen years, as shown by various studies.

The BBC show Strictly Come Dancing is reportedly looking for a celebrity wheelchair user to partner with one of the professionals this year. Wheelchair users have successfully competed in international versions of the show. In Dancing with the Stars Holland, in which Bibian Mentel danced all the way to the final in 2019. The BBC One hit show has featured a variety of celebrities with different disabilities and impairments but as of yet, not a wheelchair user.

Neurodivergent parents and single mothers are frequently blamed for the behaviours of their autistic children, and even subjected to safeguarding inquiries, when they try to seek support from services, according to new research. The report, based on a survey of more than 1,000 families of autistic children*, shows a “very real fear” among neurodivergent parents about disclosing to social services and other professionals that they are themselves autistic. 13