@autisticparentsuk.org
The only national, Autistic-led charity supporting parents who are Autistic themselves, with children of any neurotype. We offer a range of peer support services, events, training and resources: https://www.autisticparentsuk.org/
At #Autistic Parents UK, we welcome the recognition that the current system needs reform, but any changes must not dilute legal protections for our children. We look forward to more clarity on the details in due course.
We don’t know the full details of how these changes will be implemented yet. We suggest sticking to one or two trusted sources of information (please feel free to tag your favourites in the comments) and give yourself time and space to process.
➡️ The Government may make further changes to their plans depending on what people think about them.
➡️ You can have your say by responding to the consultation.
Remember that a lot of what people are saying about these reforms is based on speculation and emotion, not facts.
While we understand that reading about these plans can cause uncertainty and anxiety, we would like to remind our members:
➡️ Current law has not changed.
➡️ Any changes will take a long time to take effect.
School stationery items on a yellow background with the Autistic Parents UK logo in the bottom left corner.
The government published details of how it wants to reform schools and SEND, in a white paper called ‘Every child achieving and thriving’ along with a consultation asking for views on these proposals. www.gov.uk/governmen... . The consultation is open until 18th May if you wish to submit your views.
For more information or to say you would like to take part, email Amy Griffiths 2436659@swansea.ac.uk
This study has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee, School of Health and Social Care, Swansea University - ethical approval: 3 2025 13827 14120.V1 - 11.08.25
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This research:
👉 Is run by an Autistic researcher and mother, Amy Griffiths.
👉 Asks about Autistic mothers' experiences of having a social worker related to their child (or children).
👉 Consists of 1 online interview, lasting around an hour.
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✅ Are Autistic (including self-identifying or suspected).
✅ Have had experience of children's social work in the UK within the last five years.
✅ Are aged 18 and over.
✅ Are willing to share their experiences of social work.
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Poster advertising Autistic Mothers & Children's Social Work Study - full text is in the post.
📣 RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY 📣
Autistic Mothers & Children's Social Work Study
We are looking for #Autistic mothers who can say "YES" to all:
✅ Are mothers, including birth mothers, stepmothers, same-sex partners, adoptive mothers, foster carers, or kinship carers, etc.
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APUK AGM. Sunday 7th June 2026 at 10am.
✨ Something important is coming up… ✨
Save the Date for our AGM!
This is more than a meeting, it’s a chance for our community to come together, celebrate what we’ve achieved, and shape what happens next. As a user-led organisation, your voice truly matters.
Stay tuned for more details!
So why are rates of mental illness so much higher in Autistic people, and what can be done to help?”
Read more: www.autisticparentsu...
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▪️anxiety
▪️depression
▪️self-harm
▪️suicide
▪️OCD
▪️psychosis
▪️schizophrenia
At the same time, Autistic people are often denied access to mental health care because our difficulties are blamed on us being Autistic. However, mental illness is not a core feature of autism.
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“Mental health difficulties are much more common in Autistic people than in non-autistic people. According to one 2020 review, “nearly three out of four autistic people experience mental health problems”. Common mental health issues among Autistic people can include (among others):
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A hand reaches up from the sea. Image is superimposed with the Autistic Parents UK logo.
Our Live Q&A earlier this week with guest Laura Richmond was on the subject of Autistic Parenting & Mental Health Services. Also on this topic we’d like to share this blog post about #Autistic Mental Health.
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We will continue to advocate for greater awareness, acceptance and support for Autistic parents.
Read the government response in full: www.gov.uk/governmen...
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Based on the huge amount of evidence collected from Autistic people and those who support them, this is discouraging.
And from our perspective, it was disappointing that the only mention of parents is of parents of Autistic children. No recognition that Autistic people can be parents.
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Photo of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben with the Autistic Parents UK logo superimposed at the top left.
The government has published its response to the House of Lords Autism Act 2009 Committee report.
The response highlights work that is already underway, but only makes vague promises about what changes might be made from the recommendations made by the House of Lords Select Committee.
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📹 A recording will be available on our public Facebook page shortly after the end of the event for 30 days. A recording will also be uploaded to our YouTube channel soon after the event.
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👉 By emailing enquiriesAutistic Parents UK with the subject 'February Q&A'. (Let us know if you would like to stay anonymous)
👉 Live at the event
This Q&A will be livestreamed to Facebook, so there’s no need to book a ticket.
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This may include access and use of mental health services for ourselves as Autistic adults, as well as our Autistic children.
You can ask a question:
👉 By commenting on this post
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Autistic Parents UK. Live Q&A. Autistic Parenting & Mental Health Services. Tanya Adkin & Laura Richmond. Tuesday 10th February at 7.00pm.
📣 Don’t forget our LIVE Q&A, tonight at 7pm 📣
Laura Richmond will be joining Tanya Adkin live on our public Facebook page for a Q&A session on the topic of Autistic Parenting & Mental Health Services. #Autistic
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Autistic Parents UK. We’re Hiring! Join our team at Autistic Parents UK and make a difference. We're seeking a Strategic Development & Growth Lead to join our Senior Leadership Team. Find out more: autisticparentsuk.org/work-with-us
📣 We are hiring! 📣
Join our team at Autistic Parents UK and make a difference.
We're seeking a Strategic Development & Growth Lead to join our Senior Leadership Team.
Find out more: www.autisticparentsu...
#CharityJobs #Hiring
We also have a Facebook Live Q&A with Laura Richmond and Tanya Adkin coming up next Tuesday 10th February at 7pm on Autistic parenting & mental health services.
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It focused on the toll it takes to navigate a world built for neurotypical people and how that affects our mental well-being.
The video is available to watch for FREE and can be accessed here:
www.youtube.com/watc...
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Autistic Parents UK. YouTube Q&A Recording. Exploring Autistic Mental Health with Kieran Rose.
In May 2021 Kieran Rose (The Autistic Advocate). Ruth, Jules, and Rachel from Autistic Parents UK explored #Autistic Mental Health in parenthood. They talked about Autistic burnout and what it’s really like dealing with mental health services.
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If you are in any doubt about whether a medication is ok to take during pregnancy, please speak to a health professional.
For more information check out this article: theconversation.com/...
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This was already well known but unfortunately the US government created doubt and confusion in people’s minds last September by suggesting there was a link.
We hope this reassures expectant parents and puts this myth to bed.
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Autistic Parents UK. Paracetamol in Pregnancy. Update.
Paracetamol in Pregnancy
A major new review published in the Lancet has shown that taking paracetamol in pregnancy does not increase the chances of the baby being Autistic or having ADHD.
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This Q&A will be livestreamed to Facebook, so there’s no need to book a ticket.
📹 A recording will be available on our public Facebook page shortly after the end of the event for 30 days. A recording will also be uploaded to our YouTube channel soon after the event.
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You can ask a question:
👉 By commenting on this post
👉 By emailing enquiriesAutistic Parents UK with the subject 'February Q&A'. (Let us know if you would like to stay anonymous)
👉 Live at the event
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