Fixing SEN?

Last week a group of campaigners got together to discuss the Government’s proposals for reforming the special educational needs system. The focus group, held at the NAS’ Manchester office, brought together the expertise of people on the spectrum, parents and professional knowledge, and focused on what needs to happen to make the system.  Key issues that came up included:

• the importance of schools talking to parents and listening to what they have to say
• teachers having appropriate training in autism and relevant skills to work with children on the spectrum. Often these skills can look like good practice in working with other children but are particularly important for young people on the spectrum
• the importance of autism and equality awareness among other pupils as well as staff

Latest News: Since this focus group, the Government have finally published more details of their plans for SEN.  Their long-awaited "Next Steps" paper confirms the Government’s plans to progress the proposals made in last year’s Green Paper.

You can read the report here

You can read our response to the announcement here

Machita: my role as an ambassador

Hello, my name is Machita, mum to twin sons aged eighteen who both have Aspergers and I am proud to be a National Autistic Society (NAS) Ambassador.

Taking on the role has opened up many opportunities for me to help in the campaign to bring autism to life to people that are aware, some interested and some not that autism exists. These opportunities have ranged from writing letters, being interviewed for a website feature, press releases, contributing to an NAS DVD to speaking at the All Party Parliamentary Group for Autism at Westminster and being involved in a lobby day at Westminster regarding the Health and Social Care Bill in relation to autism.

I was delighted to be asked to take part in all of these activities and said yes straight away: then was the time to think about what I had said yes too and panic a little! No need to panic though because I know what I am talking about, after all who could make up the many experiences me and my family have lived through and continue to face into the future and who would want too!

If you have an opportunity to contribute to improving the lives of people with autism and their families, go for it, don’t panic and always remember you know more than the people you are speaking too because you have the real life experience and it is their responsibility to listen to you. It is amazingly rewarding and the staff at the NAS are hugely supportive which makes it a great experience all round.

Machita

End the care crisis lobby

On 6 March, Ambassadors joined thousands of campaigners from across the disability sector for a mass lobby as we demanded the Government take action to fix our underfunded social care system. 

It was a fantastic opportunity to talk about the issues directly with MPs and show how strongly we want change sooner rather than later. 

As well as meeting their MPs, Ambassadors wrote questions for a live Q&A with Paul Burstow, the Minister responsible for this area.   They were also part of the first ever Twobby (online lobby) – which enabled hundred more campaigners who couldn’t attend to still ask questions and tell their story.  As you’ll see from the video our Ambassadors were at the forefront of the photo shoot outside of Parliament which was used for successful media coverage of day. 

Thank you so much to all those who took part in the lobby and if you’ve been writing to your MP in the meantime.  If you want to get invovled then you can do so here.