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For children who experience sensitive, responsive caregiving, shame   is a feeling that is experienced at a young age. These feelings might be triggered when the child is told off and through this, they help teach children about behaviours that are deemed acceptable and unacceptable. As children get older, through the support of their caregiver, their understanding develops and feelings of shame evolve into feelings of guilt . In contrast to shame, guilt can be motivating to

Inclusion isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a commitment. Increasingly a commitment that schools are going to be held accountable for delivering. For pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) , being part of a mainstream school can open doors to friendships, opportunities, and a sense of belonging. But let’s be real: inclusion doesn’t happen by accident. It takes planning, collaboration, and the right tools. That’s exactly why the University of Southampton dev

Imagine being eight years old and trying to make sense of why some classmates learn differently, communicate differently, or react differently to noise and change. For many children, these differences can feel confusing—and sometimes lead to misunderstanding or exclusion. That’s where the LEANS programme  comes in. What Is LEANS? LEANS stands for Learning About Neurodiversity at School , a free, teacher-led programme designed for mainstream primary schools. It introduces pupi

Let’s be honest—school can be tough for anyone, but for autistic pupils, it often comes with extra challenges. Anxiety, depression, bullying, and even obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are common struggles, and too many young people feel they have to face them alone. That’s where Ambitious about Autism’s Autistic and OK toolkit  steps in—and it look like SENDCos and Resource Provision leads will find it invaluable. What Is Autistic and OK? Autistic and OK is more than just