As a late-diagnosed autistic female, Integrative Counsellor, an EYFS SENCO and a parent to two wonderfully Autistic children—one home-educated and one in mainstream education with an EHCP—I come to this space with both professional and lived experience.

 

This space will not pathologise difference. Instead, it will hold a neuro-affirming and trauma-informed stance, rooted in the values of compassion, collaboration and respect. Aligned with ethical working and good practice, What the Stigma? aims to nurture conversations that are safe, curious and genuinely supportive of the SEND community and those with lived experiences of navigating mental health challenges.

 

My hope is that these pages provoke thought, spark dialogue, and encourage fresh ways of seeing mental health and SEND —not as deficits to be “fixed,” but as human experiences to be understood in context. Each edition will explore key themes at the intersection of mental health and SEND, offering space for reflection, challenge, and practical strategies. The aim is not to provide quick fixes, but to open up meaningful discussion about what works, what doesn’t and what we might try differently together. A place to question, to learn and to move beyond stigma—towards community, understanding, and hope.