About Us
In 2023 both Ashlie's son, Harry and Emily's daughter, Elsie, were diagnosed with autism. Whilst our stories differ, they share a common thread: the journey of two mothers navigating the challenges of raising a child with additional needs. Our shared passion to find support and share with other parents is what brought the creation of SENkind.
Ashlie's Story
When Harry hit around 18 months, we began to notice he wasn't reaching typical developmental milestones. His speech
wasn't coming along, his behaviour didn't quite match up with other kids his age and it soon became clear he was showing signs of Autism. Fortunately, we had a close family member who was experienced in caring and supporting children with additional needs. We asked her to come and do a professional assessment and it was then that we started our journey of understanding Harry a little bit more.
Right around this time, Harry's little brother came into the world, which turned out to be incredibly fortunate timing. It meant I had a whole year of maternity leave to focus on understanding Harry, his needs, and supporting his development.
It was during this period that I realised, even though primary school seemed ages away, I needed to kickstart the process of applying for an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) for our two-year-old. It was very apparent to us that, even at this age, a mainstream provision wouldn't be able to meet Harry's needs
After a year-long battle for Harry, I'm thrilled to announce that he finally secured the EHCP he required and a place at a specialised provision.
During this time, I stumbled across another Mum who had started a stay and play session for neurodiverse children - Emily!
It became so clear that even though our stories were different, they shared a common thread of experiencing lack of support. This inspired us to create a community dedicated to supporting other parents and families with neurodiverse children.
Emily's Story
At around 18 months old, Elsie began displaying clear signs of Autism, signalling the start of a journey we never anticipated.
As she struggled to cope in preschool, her challenges with busy environments, nonverbal communication, and heightened sensory needs became more pronounced with age. This new path plunged me into a profound sense of isolation, rarely venturing beyond the safety of our home.
In response, I established a stay-and-play group for young neurodiverse children, where I connected with parents like Ashlie. Together, we recognised the urgent need for such a resource in Harrogate and its surroundings. Drawing on our experiences, we built a supportive community to share knowledge and offer solace to fellow parents.
Navigating Elsie's educational journey proved arduous. From tackling the EHCP process solo to the relentless pursuit of finding a suitable school, each step presented its own set of challenges. The local authority's insistence on placing Elsie in a mainstream school ill-equipped to meet her needs only added to the struggle. Mediation sessions, countless emails, and phone calls followed, culminating in an appeal to tribunal. Fortunately, the LA relented before the tribunal date, and Elsie now thrives in her specialist school.
My own journey underscores the importance of ensuring no parent faces isolation due to their child's divergence from the neurotypical world.
Support is available; it's just a matter of knowing where to find it, and together we're here to offer guidance every step of the way.
“Until you have a child with additional needs, you have no idea of the depth of your strength, tenacity and resourcefulness”
