Emma Sutton
@emmalgsutton.bsky.social
#SENDMum #AutismMom #ADHDMum to two incredible adopted children. Battling for an education that fits the needs of her neurodiverse children. Expressing the reality of being a SEND parent in books and cartoons.
Reposted by Emma Sutton
Alexithymia isn’t lack of emotion.
It’s emotion without translation.
The feelings are there.
The map isn’t.
And yet autistic people blame themselves for being “numb.”
You’re not numb - you’re flooded.
Your body is speaking a language you were never taught.
It’s emotion without translation.
The feelings are there.
The map isn’t.
And yet autistic people blame themselves for being “numb.”
You’re not numb - you’re flooded.
Your body is speaking a language you were never taught.
November 26, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Alexithymia isn’t lack of emotion.
It’s emotion without translation.
The feelings are there.
The map isn’t.
And yet autistic people blame themselves for being “numb.”
You’re not numb - you’re flooded.
Your body is speaking a language you were never taught.
It’s emotion without translation.
The feelings are there.
The map isn’t.
And yet autistic people blame themselves for being “numb.”
You’re not numb - you’re flooded.
Your body is speaking a language you were never taught.
I had someone tell me that my daughter didn't have "serious" autism
Since she struggles with everyday life, that felt like an ill-informed judgement, reflecting their sense that "there's nothing wrong with her"
What other people see/ experience is her mask. Few see the real person.
Since she struggles with everyday life, that felt like an ill-informed judgement, reflecting their sense that "there's nothing wrong with her"
What other people see/ experience is her mask. Few see the real person.
A complete and utter cockwomble has reportedly appointed themselves as an expert in your personal circumstances, deciding in their infinite wisdom that your autism is “only mild”.
“You’ve only got mild autism” says mild twat
A complete and utter cockwomble has reportedly appointed themselves as an expert in your personal circumstances, deciding in their infinite wisdom that your autism is “only mild”. Local fucktrumpet…
thedailytism.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:52 PM
I had someone tell me that my daughter didn't have "serious" autism
Since she struggles with everyday life, that felt like an ill-informed judgement, reflecting their sense that "there's nothing wrong with her"
What other people see/ experience is her mask. Few see the real person.
Since she struggles with everyday life, that felt like an ill-informed judgement, reflecting their sense that "there's nothing wrong with her"
What other people see/ experience is her mask. Few see the real person.
Life is tough at the moment
Both my children struggle to attend school
One withdraws to their bedroom
One runs away & absconds
The latter is a far more stressful experience
#SENDparent
Both my children struggle to attend school
One withdraws to their bedroom
One runs away & absconds
The latter is a far more stressful experience
#SENDparent
November 26, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Life is tough at the moment
Both my children struggle to attend school
One withdraws to their bedroom
One runs away & absconds
The latter is a far more stressful experience
#SENDparent
Both my children struggle to attend school
One withdraws to their bedroom
One runs away & absconds
The latter is a far more stressful experience
#SENDparent
Reposted by Emma Sutton
Many autistic adults, especially the late diagnosed live with alexithymia. It shapes daily life in ways most people never see. Emotions arrive fast, hit hard, and vanish before we can understand them. 1/5
November 24, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Many autistic adults, especially the late diagnosed live with alexithymia. It shapes daily life in ways most people never see. Emotions arrive fast, hit hard, and vanish before we can understand them. 1/5
Today my son gave me permission to finally give away a pair of shorts & some cute winter hats he's kept/ refused to part with for 12 years
And some generic infant school uniform that he last wore 6 years ago
It feels somewhere between a breakthrough & a decision that he may change later
🤔
And some generic infant school uniform that he last wore 6 years ago
It feels somewhere between a breakthrough & a decision that he may change later
🤔
November 24, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Today my son gave me permission to finally give away a pair of shorts & some cute winter hats he's kept/ refused to part with for 12 years
And some generic infant school uniform that he last wore 6 years ago
It feels somewhere between a breakthrough & a decision that he may change later
🤔
And some generic infant school uniform that he last wore 6 years ago
It feels somewhere between a breakthrough & a decision that he may change later
🤔
Reposted by Emma Sutton
An old friend broke a world record today. Most miles in a wheelchair in a single day - 152. Previous record was 113.
Mike Egan. One of the kindest, most natural leaders I know.
Congrats Mike. You make us proud.
Mike's insta: www.instagram.com/mj_egan/
Story: www.msn.com/en-us/news/w...
Mike Egan. One of the kindest, most natural leaders I know.
Congrats Mike. You make us proud.
Mike's insta: www.instagram.com/mj_egan/
Story: www.msn.com/en-us/news/w...
November 11, 2025 at 10:35 PM
An old friend broke a world record today. Most miles in a wheelchair in a single day - 152. Previous record was 113.
Mike Egan. One of the kindest, most natural leaders I know.
Congrats Mike. You make us proud.
Mike's insta: www.instagram.com/mj_egan/
Story: www.msn.com/en-us/news/w...
Mike Egan. One of the kindest, most natural leaders I know.
Congrats Mike. You make us proud.
Mike's insta: www.instagram.com/mj_egan/
Story: www.msn.com/en-us/news/w...
When teenage boys act out or vape or fight, or get I to trouble people are keen to blame the parents
What about the government?
The years of austerity reducing staffing in schools, in youth centres, in mental health?
So that troubled youth have nowhere to go, no-one to listen?
What about the government?
The years of austerity reducing staffing in schools, in youth centres, in mental health?
So that troubled youth have nowhere to go, no-one to listen?
November 11, 2025 at 5:28 PM
When teenage boys act out or vape or fight, or get I to trouble people are keen to blame the parents
What about the government?
The years of austerity reducing staffing in schools, in youth centres, in mental health?
So that troubled youth have nowhere to go, no-one to listen?
What about the government?
The years of austerity reducing staffing in schools, in youth centres, in mental health?
So that troubled youth have nowhere to go, no-one to listen?
Reposted by Emma Sutton
'What autistic people – and those with ADHD and dyslexia – really think about the word ‘neurodiversity’
New research by @draimeegrant.bsky.social,
@dramypearson.bsky.social
& Jennifer Leigh
theconversation.com/what-autisti...
New research by @draimeegrant.bsky.social,
@dramypearson.bsky.social
& Jennifer Leigh
theconversation.com/what-autisti...
What autistic people – and those with ADHD and dyslexia – really think about the word ‘neurodiversity’
A new UK survey of more than 900 neurodivergent adults has revealed strong feelings about the language of neurodiversity.
theconversation.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:14 PM
'What autistic people – and those with ADHD and dyslexia – really think about the word ‘neurodiversity’
New research by @draimeegrant.bsky.social,
@dramypearson.bsky.social
& Jennifer Leigh
theconversation.com/what-autisti...
New research by @draimeegrant.bsky.social,
@dramypearson.bsky.social
& Jennifer Leigh
theconversation.com/what-autisti...
Unless millions of pounds are pumped into cutting waiting lists for
* screening & diagnosis
* speech & language help
* sensory assessments
* dyslexia / dyscalcula support
* mental health help
Plus time/ energy/ knowledge & implementation of inclusive practices, then nothing will change
* screening & diagnosis
* speech & language help
* sensory assessments
* dyslexia / dyscalcula support
* mental health help
Plus time/ energy/ knowledge & implementation of inclusive practices, then nothing will change
The government will struggle to solve the crisis in SEND support by 2029 under its current spending plans, a new policy analysis says. The Institute for Government think tank says that ministers’ approach for tackling teacher shortages are “unfocused” www.tes.com/magazine/news/sp...
Government ‘will struggle to fix SEND crisis by 2029’
The government’s approach to SEND reform is ‘disjointed’ and its ambitions will be restricted by the budget it has set for this parliament, new analysis warns
www.tes.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Unless millions of pounds are pumped into cutting waiting lists for
* screening & diagnosis
* speech & language help
* sensory assessments
* dyslexia / dyscalcula support
* mental health help
Plus time/ energy/ knowledge & implementation of inclusive practices, then nothing will change
* screening & diagnosis
* speech & language help
* sensory assessments
* dyslexia / dyscalcula support
* mental health help
Plus time/ energy/ knowledge & implementation of inclusive practices, then nothing will change
Reposted by Emma Sutton
On one hand - this story is about someone investigating safety online & deeply concerning
On the other (selfishly), I'm now questioning if chatgpt's advice about the best colour tights to wear with a party dress is going to ruin my look...
On the other (selfishly), I'm now questioning if chatgpt's advice about the best colour tights to wear with a party dress is going to ruin my look...
Look I’m not one of those crazy Luddites or anything, but this does seem like it could be quite bad www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
Australian man encouraged to murder his father by AI chatbot
Experts are calling for new regulations on artificial intelligence chatbots, after a triple j hack investigation uncovered a disturbing example of a chatbot encouraging a man to murder his father whil...
www.abc.net.au
November 9, 2025 at 9:27 AM
On one hand - this story is about someone investigating safety online & deeply concerning
On the other (selfishly), I'm now questioning if chatgpt's advice about the best colour tights to wear with a party dress is going to ruin my look...
On the other (selfishly), I'm now questioning if chatgpt's advice about the best colour tights to wear with a party dress is going to ruin my look...
Love this - particularly the bits about Morse being better than heroin
It's strange how we don't value the creation of a family (a home, loving relationships, caring, nurture) as highly as we do more obvious creations (stuff)
It's strange how we don't value the creation of a family (a home, loving relationships, caring, nurture) as highly as we do more obvious creations (stuff)
November 9, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Love this - particularly the bits about Morse being better than heroin
It's strange how we don't value the creation of a family (a home, loving relationships, caring, nurture) as highly as we do more obvious creations (stuff)
It's strange how we don't value the creation of a family (a home, loving relationships, caring, nurture) as highly as we do more obvious creations (stuff)
This view was just an incredible celebration of autumn/fall
Yay for autumn
Little did I know that one minute later I was going to slip & fall into a stream
Full on dunk
Had to wring water out of my dress
Stupid autumn & leaves covering slippy tree roots
Yay for autumn
Little did I know that one minute later I was going to slip & fall into a stream
Full on dunk
Had to wring water out of my dress
Stupid autumn & leaves covering slippy tree roots
November 3, 2025 at 2:55 PM
This view was just an incredible celebration of autumn/fall
Yay for autumn
Little did I know that one minute later I was going to slip & fall into a stream
Full on dunk
Had to wring water out of my dress
Stupid autumn & leaves covering slippy tree roots
Yay for autumn
Little did I know that one minute later I was going to slip & fall into a stream
Full on dunk
Had to wring water out of my dress
Stupid autumn & leaves covering slippy tree roots
Back to school anxiety in the morning
It's hard to sit next to my son as he struggles in the car to school
He ripples with emotional overload
Conversation is not recommended
Deep breaths Emma, you can hold the space for him..
It's hard to sit next to my son as he struggles in the car to school
He ripples with emotional overload
Conversation is not recommended
Deep breaths Emma, you can hold the space for him..
November 3, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Back to school anxiety in the morning
It's hard to sit next to my son as he struggles in the car to school
He ripples with emotional overload
Conversation is not recommended
Deep breaths Emma, you can hold the space for him..
It's hard to sit next to my son as he struggles in the car to school
He ripples with emotional overload
Conversation is not recommended
Deep breaths Emma, you can hold the space for him..
Sarah: shall I buy you a metal ring & we can make baubles wreaths
Me: sounds fun
Several hours later, much gnashing of teeth & despair....
We both had something to hang up
Even if we forgot the Christmas cakes that were baking...
Me: sounds fun
Several hours later, much gnashing of teeth & despair....
We both had something to hang up
Even if we forgot the Christmas cakes that were baking...
October 31, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Sarah: shall I buy you a metal ring & we can make baubles wreaths
Me: sounds fun
Several hours later, much gnashing of teeth & despair....
We both had something to hang up
Even if we forgot the Christmas cakes that were baking...
Me: sounds fun
Several hours later, much gnashing of teeth & despair....
We both had something to hang up
Even if we forgot the Christmas cakes that were baking...
Went out to see Ardal O'Hanlon last night
I bought tickets on a "must get out more" buzz last year
What a crack!
We laughed throughout & had a fabulous time. Highly recommended you catch his "Not Himself" tour
Then I dreamt we became buddies & he invited me swimming.
I bought tickets on a "must get out more" buzz last year
What a crack!
We laughed throughout & had a fabulous time. Highly recommended you catch his "Not Himself" tour
Then I dreamt we became buddies & he invited me swimming.
October 31, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Went out to see Ardal O'Hanlon last night
I bought tickets on a "must get out more" buzz last year
What a crack!
We laughed throughout & had a fabulous time. Highly recommended you catch his "Not Himself" tour
Then I dreamt we became buddies & he invited me swimming.
I bought tickets on a "must get out more" buzz last year
What a crack!
We laughed throughout & had a fabulous time. Highly recommended you catch his "Not Himself" tour
Then I dreamt we became buddies & he invited me swimming.
Halloween - it's a great time to honour family traditions and start on the Christmas cake
With a glass of sherry to remember my Dad and Grandma who both liked a glass before their evening meal
The smell is very evocative
Tomorrow I'll be with my twin @sarahfoxspeaker.bsky.social baking & crafting
With a glass of sherry to remember my Dad and Grandma who both liked a glass before their evening meal
The smell is very evocative
Tomorrow I'll be with my twin @sarahfoxspeaker.bsky.social baking & crafting
October 30, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Halloween - it's a great time to honour family traditions and start on the Christmas cake
With a glass of sherry to remember my Dad and Grandma who both liked a glass before their evening meal
The smell is very evocative
Tomorrow I'll be with my twin @sarahfoxspeaker.bsky.social baking & crafting
With a glass of sherry to remember my Dad and Grandma who both liked a glass before their evening meal
The smell is very evocative
Tomorrow I'll be with my twin @sarahfoxspeaker.bsky.social baking & crafting
Me: you've £10 for spending & bus fares
Teen: okay
Teen spends entire £10 on "snacks" he says he didn't like
Me: don't spend anything else or you've no bus fare
Teen: ok
Teen messages Dad asking for lunch money as he's hungry
Gets extra £10, spends on fried chicken
Still has no bus fare 🤦🏻
Teen: okay
Teen spends entire £10 on "snacks" he says he didn't like
Me: don't spend anything else or you've no bus fare
Teen: ok
Teen messages Dad asking for lunch money as he's hungry
Gets extra £10, spends on fried chicken
Still has no bus fare 🤦🏻
October 29, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Me: you've £10 for spending & bus fares
Teen: okay
Teen spends entire £10 on "snacks" he says he didn't like
Me: don't spend anything else or you've no bus fare
Teen: ok
Teen messages Dad asking for lunch money as he's hungry
Gets extra £10, spends on fried chicken
Still has no bus fare 🤦🏻
Teen: okay
Teen spends entire £10 on "snacks" he says he didn't like
Me: don't spend anything else or you've no bus fare
Teen: ok
Teen messages Dad asking for lunch money as he's hungry
Gets extra £10, spends on fried chicken
Still has no bus fare 🤦🏻
I was already a @patrickgrantism.bsky.social fan from Sewing Bee
Then I read "Less" and his passion, purpose, commitment made me a super fan (falling in love)
Last night (despite the host's annoying interruptions), he delivered that passion & knowledge in eloquent spades
I'm a convert
Then I read "Less" and his passion, purpose, commitment made me a super fan (falling in love)
Last night (despite the host's annoying interruptions), he delivered that passion & knowledge in eloquent spades
I'm a convert
October 27, 2025 at 7:12 AM
I was already a @patrickgrantism.bsky.social fan from Sewing Bee
Then I read "Less" and his passion, purpose, commitment made me a super fan (falling in love)
Last night (despite the host's annoying interruptions), he delivered that passion & knowledge in eloquent spades
I'm a convert
Then I read "Less" and his passion, purpose, commitment made me a super fan (falling in love)
Last night (despite the host's annoying interruptions), he delivered that passion & knowledge in eloquent spades
I'm a convert
An interesting & concerning article
Autism isn't a problem that needs solving
Society / culture needs to adjust, to understand, respond, embrace & celebrate people
Charities need to focus on creating more understanding & awareness; breaking down barriers to inclusion etc
Autism isn't a problem that needs solving
Society / culture needs to adjust, to understand, respond, embrace & celebrate people
Charities need to focus on creating more understanding & awareness; breaking down barriers to inclusion etc
“Our study shows Autism charities portray autistic people as a problem—helpless and a burden –In contrast, charities represent themselves as the solution to this problem” theconversation.com/autism-c...
Autism charities portray autistic people as helpless and a burden – our research shows why it matters
New research finds that the language and imagery used by autism charities often reinforce stigma instead of challenging it.
theconversation.com
October 26, 2025 at 3:59 PM
An interesting & concerning article
Autism isn't a problem that needs solving
Society / culture needs to adjust, to understand, respond, embrace & celebrate people
Charities need to focus on creating more understanding & awareness; breaking down barriers to inclusion etc
Autism isn't a problem that needs solving
Society / culture needs to adjust, to understand, respond, embrace & celebrate people
Charities need to focus on creating more understanding & awareness; breaking down barriers to inclusion etc
Me: can you see okay without your glasses?
Teen: I can see fine
Me: cool cows
Teen: horses?
Me: which ones?
Teen: that one (points)
Me: that's a cow
Teen: over there (points)
Me: still a cow
I'm not sure "I can see fine" is all that accurate. But his friends say he looks better without 🕶️ so...
Teen: I can see fine
Me: cool cows
Teen: horses?
Me: which ones?
Teen: that one (points)
Me: that's a cow
Teen: over there (points)
Me: still a cow
I'm not sure "I can see fine" is all that accurate. But his friends say he looks better without 🕶️ so...
October 26, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Me: can you see okay without your glasses?
Teen: I can see fine
Me: cool cows
Teen: horses?
Me: which ones?
Teen: that one (points)
Me: that's a cow
Teen: over there (points)
Me: still a cow
I'm not sure "I can see fine" is all that accurate. But his friends say he looks better without 🕶️ so...
Teen: I can see fine
Me: cool cows
Teen: horses?
Me: which ones?
Teen: that one (points)
Me: that's a cow
Teen: over there (points)
Me: still a cow
I'm not sure "I can see fine" is all that accurate. But his friends say he looks better without 🕶️ so...
I can really relate to the charioteer image - my duty horse is very demanding at the moment
My passion horse is subdued & not pulling his weight & I've no time to focus on it as the other is prancing & kicking & needing all my strength to stop tipping out family over
My passion horse is subdued & not pulling his weight & I've no time to focus on it as the other is prancing & kicking & needing all my strength to stop tipping out family over
You really want to leave your marriage, your husband after some rocky times has now stepped up, you have two small children. How do you make this decision??? What you want and your “duty” are at odds. Free to read.
Should I Stay or Should I go?
What do you think? Let me know in the comments.
open.substack.com
October 26, 2025 at 7:29 AM
I can really relate to the charioteer image - my duty horse is very demanding at the moment
My passion horse is subdued & not pulling his weight & I've no time to focus on it as the other is prancing & kicking & needing all my strength to stop tipping out family over
My passion horse is subdued & not pulling his weight & I've no time to focus on it as the other is prancing & kicking & needing all my strength to stop tipping out family over
These are the "crumbs" schools provide...
We gave them headphones, what more can an autistic child want from a totally overwhelming and noisy world?
They can eat elsewhere - what autistic child with sensitivity to smells doesn't want lunch on their own in a cupboard?
Etc etc
We gave them headphones, what more can an autistic child want from a totally overwhelming and noisy world?
They can eat elsewhere - what autistic child with sensitivity to smells doesn't want lunch on their own in a cupboard?
Etc etc
Autistics are told to be grateful.
Grateful for crumbs.
Grateful to be tolerated.
Grateful just to exist quietly.
But you don’t owe gratitude for survival.
You owe yourself rest, dignity, and truth.
Gratitude without justice is gaslighting.
Grateful for crumbs.
Grateful to be tolerated.
Grateful just to exist quietly.
But you don’t owe gratitude for survival.
You owe yourself rest, dignity, and truth.
Gratitude without justice is gaslighting.
October 23, 2025 at 3:31 PM
These are the "crumbs" schools provide...
We gave them headphones, what more can an autistic child want from a totally overwhelming and noisy world?
They can eat elsewhere - what autistic child with sensitivity to smells doesn't want lunch on their own in a cupboard?
Etc etc
We gave them headphones, what more can an autistic child want from a totally overwhelming and noisy world?
They can eat elsewhere - what autistic child with sensitivity to smells doesn't want lunch on their own in a cupboard?
Etc etc
Me: today I'm going to (has To Do list, rough timings, knows she can fit it all in)
My kids: think again
They are true spontaneity bombs
Constantly nudging me off my lists, demanding I'm agile & flexible
No plan ever survives the first few minutes of parenting neurodivergent teens
My kids: think again
They are true spontaneity bombs
Constantly nudging me off my lists, demanding I'm agile & flexible
No plan ever survives the first few minutes of parenting neurodivergent teens
October 23, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Me: today I'm going to (has To Do list, rough timings, knows she can fit it all in)
My kids: think again
They are true spontaneity bombs
Constantly nudging me off my lists, demanding I'm agile & flexible
No plan ever survives the first few minutes of parenting neurodivergent teens
My kids: think again
They are true spontaneity bombs
Constantly nudging me off my lists, demanding I'm agile & flexible
No plan ever survives the first few minutes of parenting neurodivergent teens
Reposted by Emma Sutton
An autistic teenager who had a bucket of pigs’ blood dumped onto her at her high school prom has reportedly had far worse – even just today.
Being showered with pigs’ blood least traumatic thing that happened to autistic girl today
An autistic teenager who had a bucket of pigs’ blood dumped onto her at her high school prom has reportedly had far worse – even just today. Carrie White, 16, believed she had finally won over her…
thedailytism.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:06 PM
An autistic teenager who had a bucket of pigs’ blood dumped onto her at her high school prom has reportedly had far worse – even just today.