Latest news with #NationalAutisticSociety
The Sun
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
M&S' £2.25 school tops split opinions as some mums say it's the best ‘life hack' & others claim it's ‘making kids lazy'
AS the back-to-school scramble looms, parents across the UK are already eyeing up uniforms. But one particular item from Marks & Spencer has sparked a surprising debate online: their £2.25 'easy dressing' school polo shirts. 4 Hailed by some as an absolute "life hack" for busy parents, others are raising an eyebrow, claiming we might be "making kids lazy." The shirts in question are M&S's two-pack of unisex easy dressing school polo shirts, designed with ingenious hidden features to make getting ready for school a breeze. They're part of M&S's Adaptive range, developed in collaboration with The National Autistic Society, focusing on simpler, quicker, and more comfortable dressing. Made from 100% pure cotton, they boast StayNew technology for lasting colour and Stain Away to tackle those inevitable playground marks. The clever bit? Behind the traditional buttons, there's a hidden tape, making them easier to fasten - a godsend for little fingers - or rushed parents! One mum, Kimberley - known as @ - took to TikTok urging other parents: "Why on earth would you send your infant school child to school in anything but this?! Easy dressing shirts from @Marks & Spencer." She even advised her followers to "Run to M&S instore before 6 Aug for 20% off," tagging her video with #schoolhack and #mumhack. For her, it seems the shirts are a non-negotiable for starting school, promising to shave precious minutes off the morning routine. And it seems she's not alone, with many parents praising the quality and practical ease of use. Parents are praising it as many think it can help navigate the daily chaos of school mornings, especially with your children who are learning how to dress themselves. School banned my daughter, 12, from 'diversity day' for wearing Union Jack dress - the reason was ridiculous The video gained 123.8k views and 60 comments after just four days of it being shared. Many people rushed to share their opinions, but some views were mixed. One wrote: 'Are we making kids lazy, I just think they need to practice their fine motor skills. 'That's just me though, they may have a place for kids with difficulties.' 4 4 However, in defence of the clothing one person said: 'They are designed for kids with disabilities… it's the 'easy dressing' range which is designed to make school uniforms accessible to all!' But another commented on their use after a couple of washed by writing: 'Yeah they're not great. 'The velcro goes all weird and eventually stops working properly. 'Great until you've washed them a few times. I got them last year and replaced them all after the first term.' And another said: 'Yes it's a life hack but my god don't they irritate the kids putting them on and off.' EXTRA HELP WITH SCHOOL UNIFORM COSTS IF you can't get targeted help from your council, you might have some other options available to you. In some areas, you can talk directly to your school, which might be able to offer you clothing. Or, you might be able to get cheap garments from low-budget shops or charity stores. Some charities offer help to families in need too. But bear in mind charities often have a limited amount of money to give and usually have specific criteria which must be met in order to get a grant. Charity Turn2Us has a free grants search tool on its website which you can use to find out what help is available to you. Meanwhile, you can always try approaching your nearest Citizens' Advice branch. If you don't know where your nearest Citizens' Advice branch is, you can find out by visiting If you're not eligible for a school uniform grant you might be able to get help through the Household Support Fund.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Lioness Lucy Bronze talks getting autism diagnosis at 29: 'I was misunderstood'
A fractured tibia isn't the only health diagnosis Lucy Bronze has been playing through after being diagnosed with autism and ADHD Following her match-winning penalty in Sunday's Euro 2025 final triumph over Spain, Lucy Bronze revealed she had competed throughout the entire tournament with a fractured tibia, though "no one knew". However, that wasn't the only medical revelation the England defender has shared this year. Prior to travelling to Switzerland for the competition, Lucy opened up during a conversation with former teammate Alex Scott about receiving diagnoses of ADHD and autism just four years ago. The news didn't come as a bombshell to those closest to her, as she recounted on BBC Sport: "I remember Demi (Stokes)... when I said it to her she was like 'obviously'. I got that reaction off everyone, my mum, my family." Lucy confessed she had spotted the indicators herself before undergoing assessment, yet still felt misunderstood. "I remember when I was younger being treated a bit differently because of how I was acting," she said. "Growing up as a child that was misunderstood, I don't want that for anybody else." The 33-year-old now serves as an ambassador for the National Autistic Society, campaigning to boost understanding and challenge prejudice surrounding the condition. Although she was originally offered the option of medication for her ADHD, she declined after some thought, dubbing it her "superpower" on the pitch. She said: "Everyone's like 'you're so passionate about football'. I don't know if I'd say I'm passionate, I'm just obsessed and that's my autism. I think it has made me so successful at football especially. "Something that's really good for ADHD is exercise. Training every day is amazing for me. The girls are like 'are you sure you're 33? You just don't stop' and I'm like, 'That's my superpower'." However, Lucy does still battle with other symptoms of the conditions, especially with sleep as her "brain's just at 100 miles per hour all the time". She's also concerned that people view her as a know-it-all, but explained that it's only because her brain works "10 steps ahead all the time". She said she has has learned to control her symptoms and behaviour mostly by simply mimicking people around her. Looking back on her early days with the England team, she confessed there were only a handful of players she felt at ease with and found it difficult speaking to anyone else. Then she spotted Jill Scott: "I'd watch Jill's behaviours, like; 'ah she speaks to everyone' and copy that a bit. Obviously I'm better at it now but it's still a bit uncomfortable sometimes. "Hugging people, eye contact when you speak - those are two things I've had to learn because I think they're seen as like the norm and the two things that make me so uncomfortable." Lucy is still learning about the conditions and how they affect her personally, though she says she's self-aware enough now to recognise one of her most frequent unconscious habits is "messing with my hair" as a self-soothing mechanism. Since her diagnosis, Lucy has stopped worrying about making others feel at ease with it. She stated: "I'm just going to do what makes me feel comfortable. I guess it is uncomfortable to talk about because it's new and different and not everybody understands but I think it's something amazing. "Now that I know so much more, I've learnt more, I can see these traits in other players and I think that's why they're good at football. Cause I think it's such a good thing."
ITV News
4 days ago
- Sport
- ITV News
Lucy Bronze played through pain of fractured tibia to secure Euro 2025 glory
Lucy Bronze has revealed she had played the whole of England's victorious Women's Euros campaign with a fractured tibia. The 33-year-old full-back from Berwick-upon-Tweed in Northumberland had played almost every minute of the tournament, until she succumbed to a separate knee injury at half-time of extra time during Sunday's final in Basel. Speaking after their quarter-final penalty shootout triumph over Sweden, when Bronze scored a crucial spot-kick, England boss Sarina Wiegman said of the defender: 'I think the only way to get her off the pitch is in the wheelchair.' Bronze, now a two-time European champion with the Lionesses, opened up about her injuries following their 3-1 penalty shootout win over Spain. In an interview with the BBC after the match, she said: 'We never lost belief in ourselves. There was a lot of noise on the outside, but we just stuck together and dug deep. 'I've actually played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia, but no one knew. And now I've hurt my knee on the other leg. 'I think that is why I got a lot of praise from the girls after the Sweden game, because I'm in a lot of pain, but that's what it takes to play for England and that's what I will do. They know that and we inspire each other by playing through things like that, and it got us to the end in the end.' Asked about Bronze, who was piggybacked to the England supporters' section on the back of a team-mate, Wiegman said: 'Yeah, she had some issues with her tibia. 'Of course, we tried to manage that, but when you play 120 minute,s you're not managing that, are you? 'Lucy Bronze's mentality is, I think the whole team has an incredible mentality, but she has a crazy mentality. It's unbelievable.' Meanwhile, the National Autistic Society congratulated their ambassador Lucy Bronze on the Lionesses' victory, adding: 'We hope she has inspired the next generation of autistic girls to follow their dreams.'
Daily Mirror
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'Neurodivergent and unapologetic' - How British rappers Giggs and MoStack are changing the conversation on autism
For years there has been a stigma towards those who are neurodivergent but UK rappers Giggs and Mostack are changing the narrative - and the National Autistic Society is glad to see it. There's been a big shift in how people talk about neurodivergence. Now more than ever, people are unapologetically being themselves, without the shame or secrecy that used to hang over these diagnoses. On the 90s Baby Show podcast, rapper Giggs opened up about his autism and how it's shaped him. 'I was struggling with autism but them times, there was no diagnosis - it didn't exist,' he said. He explained how it showed up in childhood: 'I always used to be in the playground by myself waiting for playtime to be over because I used to think everyone was immature but that was autism.' It wasn't until his own child was diagnosed that Giggs finally understood himself. 'It helped me because I guess I didn't understand myself - in understanding myself first I became a better person and took more time in understanding him. I read a lot about autism and it helped me find myself, be a better dad." Another British rapper, Mostack, has also been open about being autistic for years - even back when it wasn't something people talked about publicly. He's continued used his platform to inspire others, saying in one video: 'Don't let anyone make you feel weird or make you feel like you're different - because really and truly you have the superpower. They don't understand you, you're not meant to be understood.' In an interview with Capital Xtra, he explained: 'It's not as easy for me to communicate, I see things differently from a lot of 'normal' people - I can't really explain it but this is a part of why I don't do interviews. It affects me a lot, me finding out that I'm autistic actually helped me understand me more. That's why I'm trying to spread awareness, like don't be afraid; if you got autism, you're talented, you're gifted, you're special.' Both rappers are living proof that one size doesn't fit all. Their honesty is helping to change the narrative about what autism 'looks' like and showing younger generations that there's nothing wrong with owning who you are. The Mirror spoke to Mel Merritt, Head of Policy and Campaigns at the National Autistic Society about just how impactful it is when high-profile people speak up about their diagnosis. This kind of openness from high‑profile men in music matters because it directly challenges the narrow, outdated picture many people still have of autism. For years, autism has been stereotyped as something that only affects children, or that makes people socially awkward or unable to succeed. 'Better understanding of autism can transform lives' Even now, while ADHD has become widely talked about and less stigmatised in recent years, autism is still surrounded by a lot of misunderstanding. Seeing two respected men in a hyper‑masculine industry speak up about it helps to break down the idea that it's something to be ashamed of and shows that autism can manifest in many ways. For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox. 'It's important that more high‑profile people talk openly about being autistic and raising autistic children, as we're sure many autistic people will be able to relate to their own experiences," Mel told the Mirror. "We want to see a society where autistic people shape public perceptions about autism and their stories reflect a variety of experiences. People like Giggs and MoStack sharing their experiences openly can make a difference, and better public understanding of autism can help transform lives.' 'There are still many outdated stereotypes about autism' Mel also pointed out that for many people, getting a diagnosis has been especially hard particularly for marginalised groups. 'There are many outdated stereotypes about autism, but people of all ages, genders and ethnicities can be autistic. Because of a lack of awareness about who can be autistic, people from marginalised groups can face increased barriers to getting a diagnosis and support." "Autism is understood as a spectrum condition and each autistic person has a unique combination of characteristics. Autistic people can be very different from each other, with different sets of strengths and challenges.' But despite the impact, she noted there is still work to do. 'There are still pervasive misunderstandings about autism, and autistic people face a lack of understanding from society as well as a lack of the support they need," she said. "We will continue campaigning for a society that is free from discrimination for autistic people and rejects stereotypes and stigma.' The efforts of Giggs and MoStack deserve praise. Their honesty is helping to break stereotypes, inspire others, and make it easier for people to live their truth without fear. We've come a long way in reducing the stigma around neurodivergence, but as Mel points out - there's still more to do. Each time someone like Giggs or MoStack speaks up, it sends a message: you don't need to hide who you are. Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you!
Telegraph
17-07-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Blaming the parents is easier than fixing Britain's special educational needs system
Many parents of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are likely to be too busy fighting the broken education system to notice they are actually being blamed for it. Their lives are spent constantly having to fight to get what most children and families take for granted – the education their child needs and deserves. For all the talk of parents trying to get special treatment, or a 'golden ticket' for their children, research from the National Autistic Society shows a quarter of parents (26 per cent) waited over three years to receive support for their child. Even after this, nearly three quarters (74 per cent) said their child's school place did not meet their needs. Our SEND system is supposed to provide children with the support they need. But over the last decade and a half, the funding and staff time for mainstream schools to make small changes or bring in support, without needing additional funding through an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), has been systematically stripped from the system. When children's needs aren't met, they don't go away, they escalate. The result is that children are pushed ever closer to the brink and then require more intensive support. Getting help in school shouldn't require a child to have a clinical diagnosis. Yet, say that to any parent of a child with SEND and they would rightly laugh in your face, as they often face unlawful refusals from councils to even look at their child's needs until they have a diagnosis. Then the statistics get even more galling. Currently 224,382 people are waiting for an autism assessment in England – that's around the population of Portsmouth. The average waiting time for an assessment is 14 months, with many people waiting even longer. Recently, a woman in Oxford was told she would have to wait 16-18 years. Once a child has a diagnosis, it's far from a 'golden ticket', as so often claimed. Parents of autistic children have to fight, some having to remortgage their house or take out loans, to afford the expensive legal battles that overwhelmingly find in their favour. £60 million of public money was wasted sending families to the independent SEND Tribunal in 2021-22 to enforce their child's legal rights, while 99 per cent of cases in 2023-24 found in favour of parents. If you're looking for real waste in the SEND system, this is a staggering example. To fix the SEND system, support must meet children's needs early on. Imagine how much more our education system, and the children in it, could achieve if we didn't ignore and belittle children that need support. How much more prepared for adult life and all its trials and tribulations a child could be, armed with the knowledge of their autistic identity, rather than being sneered at for 'chasing' a 'label'. How many more families could live in financial security without having to give up work if the system had the resources to approach their requests with options, rather than a closed door. How many more disabled children could walk happily with their brothers and sisters to school, rather than having to rely on school transport for journeys miles and miles away from home. It's right that the Government tries to fix this broken system. It's clear though that any reform should focus on strengthening children's rights to early and less intensive support and making sure teachers are equipped with the knowledge and tools to support kids in their classrooms. Put quite simply: EHCPs aren't the problem in the system. Nor is school transport. The problem is that the system legally responsible for supporting our nation's disabled children is not resourced or equipped to do that. That's why the National Autistic Society will campaign as part of the Disabled Children's Partnership – a coalition of 130 organisations from national charities to grass root parent groups – to get the right reforms from the Government. Families don't want anything 'special', they just want the same thing as other families – the education their children need. Now is the time to get this right, not blame parents and take away children's futures.
