In this episode, I am joined by Rachel Filmer, Campaign Manager for Special Needs Jungle and Co Founder of the Save our Children's Rights Campaign.

In this episode I interview John Milne, MP for Horsham, West Sussex and I start the clock ticking on my daughter's EHCNA request.

Emma is an Advice and Guidance Officer with the National Deaf Children's Society and has supported deaf children and their families for over 20 years in various different roles, both within and outside the charity.

• Emma Simmons' personal journey with deafness
• Importance of early diagnosis and intervention
• Role of British Sign Language in education
• Peppa Pig's collaboration to raise deaf awareness
• Supporting deaf children through inclusive education

In Episode 4, I talk with Charlie Moseley, Assistant Head, SENCO and DSL for Heron Way Primary School, Horsham about the current situation in schools, the government's £200 million training promise and the long awaited white paper.

Episode 3 looks at Adoption and the effect of government cuts to the Adoption and Special Guardianship support fund.

I also update you on my daughter's EHCNA application and finally my son's EHCP finally arrived but how long did it take to get one?

Leaving school with no qualifications, Gavin spent nine years driving a bin lorry believing he was “broken.”

An adult diagnosis of autism became his turning point — helping him realise his pattern-seeking brain wasn’t a weakness, but a strategic advantage.

Fast forward to today:
🏆 CIMA Student of the Year (2024)
🏢 Finance Leader at major organisations including Jaguar Land Rover
🎤 TEDx speaker challenging the Industrial Model of Education
🚀 Advocate for Cognitive & Background Diversity as a competitive business asset

This conversation is honest, inspiring and essential listening for parents, educators and professionals navigating the future of education and work — especially in the AI economy.

In this thought-provoking episode of SEN Together, we’re joined by Dr James Winkworth, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Co-Founder of Cognition Clinical Psychology, and Lead Clinical Psychologist in a CAMHS Neurodevelopmental Team.

Together, we explore what it really means to “flip the script” on neurodiversity — moving away from deficit-based thinking and towards a more affirming, respectful understanding of neurological difference.

Dr James shares insights on:

• Why neurodiversity should be understood as a natural variation, not something to be “fixed”
• The role of assessment in shaping identity and accessing the right support
• Common misconceptions about autism and how they impact families
• The hidden toll of masking on mental health

We also unpack the wider conversation around diagnosis, including the powerful idea that:
“Overdiagnosis is a political battleground, not a medical reality.”

This episode is a must-listen for parents, carers, and professionals looking for a more compassionate, real-world perspective on supporting neurodivergent children and young people.