Parenting children with neurodiversity

My name is Kyla and I’m an HR Advisor here at Cotswold Archaeology. My children are neurodivergent and whilst I’m by no means ‘an expert’ on neurodiversity (if you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism!), I do feel that I’m well placed to understand further the needs that our neurodivergent staff have and the challenges they may face – as well as the huge benefits they bring to our organisation.

Due to my son being non-verbal (but one of the noisiest children I’ve ever met!), he needs to have an alternative, meaningful way of communicating. His default being taking our hands and leading us to what he wanted. We had tried PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) and signing (Signalong and Makaton) both of which didn’t work for him.

He is however raised in a household where he is surrounded by technology. When he was diagnosed with autism, aged two, we were advised that the best thing we could do was to get him an iPad. We quickly realised that he was able to navigate his way round the iPad very skillfully which for someone that couldn’t feed themselves or follow very basic instructions, was mind blowing. Based on this, his dad put some features on to help him learn; for example only letting him access certain things he wanted to watch (fruit and vegetables being chopped up is a favourite!) by clicking on a picture of himself and then putting his name in.

Because my son responded so well to technology in this way, he was put forward to trial to use an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device for use at school. This was through the Speech and Language team in our local authority. The trial was a success and so the device is now being used at school and at home. Essentially the device is an electronic aid, similar to an iPad, which uses symbols, objects, words in visual form, so that when each object is pressed, you hear the spoken word and that becomes ‘his voice’. It has been a slow process but gradually my son is starting to realise that he can communicate his wants to us in a meaningful way.

It’s really important to recognise acceptance and inclusivity in the workplace. Although this isn’t my experience (due to my son going to a Special Educational Needs school), I am aware that often in mainstream schools there can be a lack of adjustments due to the belief that ‘when you’re in the world of work, you wouldn’t be able to do this’; the perception being that in the workplace everyone is treated the same, regardless of need.

Certainly, at CA, we have many staff that we provide adjustments for; as a diverse workforce, it’s this mix of wonderful people that drive forward the organisation and helps make it a success.

On another note; as a parent carer, I have had great support and understanding from my work colleagues. Although I feel that the government could go further, the introduction of Carer’s Leave in April 2024 was certainly a step in the right direction in recognition of the great many parent carers in the workplace.

Helpful links:

The National Autistic Society are one of the leading autism support organisations in the UK. They provide advice, guidance, and various services designed to support children, young people, and adults who are on the autistic spectrum.

Child Autism is an organisation dedicated to helping children with autism achieve their potential. They provide services and advice to families who have an autistic child.

Action For Children has a bank of information designed for children with SEND and autistic children specifically.