Inclusion Consultant: David Equality Hull-Watters

22/08/2026

PART SIX: Supporting Autistic and otherwise Neurodivergent Children Through the School Holidays - A Different Kind of Summer

For many children, the summer holidays are presented as something to look forward to: six weeks without school, more freedom, holidays, days out and opportunities to spend time with family and friends.

For an autistic child, summer can absolutely be enjoyable too. But it can also bring challenges that are easily overlooked.

School, despite all the demands it may bring, often provides structure and predictability. There are familiar routines, known expectations and recognisable patterns to the day. When the summer holidays arrive, much of that can disappear overnight.

Suddenly, days may be less predictable. There may be holidays, visitors, unfamiliar places, busy attractions, changes to mealtimes and sleep routines, increased socialising and the expectation that children should be constantly doing something because they are "on holiday".

For some autistic children, that can be exhausting.

Perhaps we need to rethink what a successful summer actually looks like.

Don't underestimate the importance of interests
An autistic child's passionate or focused interests are sometimes viewed as something adults should broaden, interrupt or limit.

But those interests can provide far more than entertainment.

They may offer familiarity, expertise, enjoyment, connection, predictability and an important means of self-regulation.

Summer can provide a wonderful opportunity to let children spend more time exploring the things that genuinely fascinate them.
Instead of asking, "How do we get them away from this interest?", we might ask, "How can we use this interest to help them connect, learn, relax and enjoy their summer?"

Read the full blog here:

Neurodiversity, SEND (Special Educational Needs & Disability) and LGBTQ+ Specialist offering workshops and speaking services to enhance employment wellbeing. An Inclusion Consultant, with 25+ years of experience, offering bespoke training for staff within your organisation to further support your We...

21/08/2026

PART FIVE: Supporting Autistic and otherwise Neurodivergent Children Through the School Holidays - A Different Kind of Summer

For many children, the summer holidays are presented as something to look forward to: six weeks without school, more freedom, holidays, days out and opportunities to spend time with family and friends.
For an autistic child, summer can absolutely be enjoyable too. But it can also bring challenges that are easily overlooked.

School, despite all the demands it may bring, often provides structure and predictability. There are familiar routines, known expectations and recognisable patterns to the day. When the summer holidays arrive, much of that can disappear overnight.

Suddenly, days may be less predictable. There may be holidays, visitors, unfamiliar places, busy attractions, changes to mealtimes and sleep routines, increased socialising and the expectation that children should be constantly doing something because they are "on holiday".
For some autistic children, that can be exhausting.

Perhaps we need to rethink what a successful summer actually looks like.

Give genuine choice and autonomy

Children need boundaries, of course, but they also benefit from having meaningful control over aspects of their lives.
Instead of automatically deciding the day's activities, offer manageable choices:
"Would you rather go swimming or stay at home today?"
"Would you like to come with us or have some quiet time?"
"Would you like to stay another half-hour or go home?"

And wherever possible, allow "no" to be a legitimate answer.
Giving autonomy doesn't mean abandoning boundaries or responsibilities. It means recognising that autistic children should have a voice in decisions that affect them.

That is also how we begin developing self-advocacy.

Read the full blog here:
https://www.inclusionconsultant.co.uk/a-different-kind-of-summer-supporting-autistic-and-otherwise-neurodivergent-children-through-the-school-holidays

20/08/2026

Onvero Blog: Celebrating 10 Years of Marriage and the Legacy of Marriage Equality

Thank you for sharing our story!

It is an honour to support Onvero in the fantastic work they do with so many wonderful clients.

As the Government looks to do more to support young people into work, our Head of Commercial Jack Cluer highlights in his blog the importance of investing in young people to drive business performance

19/08/2026

PART FOUR: Supporting Autistic and otherwise Neurodivergent Children Through the School Holidays - A Different Kind of Summer

For many children, the summer holidays are presented as something to look forward to: six weeks without school, more freedom, holidays, days out and opportunities to spend time with family and friends.

For an autistic child, summer can absolutely be enjoyable too. But it can also bring challenges that are easily overlooked.

School, despite all the demands it may bring, often provides structure and predictability. There are familiar routines, known expectations and recognisable patterns to the day. When the summer holidays arrive, much of that can disappear overnight.

Suddenly, days may be less predictable. There may be holidays, visitors, unfamiliar places, busy attractions, changes to mealtimes and sleep routines, increased socialising and the expectation that children should be constantly doing something because they are "on holiday".
For some autistic children, that can be exhausting.

Perhaps we need to rethink what a successful summer actually looks like.

Communicate differently
Communication is another area where small changes can make a significant difference.
Use clear, direct language and allow processing time. Try not to repeat a question several times simply because an answer hasn't arrived immediately.

And remember that spoken communication isn't the only valid form of communication.
Writing, texting, pictures, gestures or other communication methods may sometimes be easier.

Rather than asking, "What's wrong?", which can be an incredibly difficult question to answer when someone is already overwhelmed, it may be more helpful to offer concrete possibilities:
Is it too noisy? Do you need some space? Would you like to leave?

Communication should help a child express what they need, not become another demand they have to manage.

Read the full blog here:

Neurodiversity, SEND (Special Educational Needs & Disability) and LGBTQ+ Specialist offering workshops and speaking services to enhance employment wellbeing. An Inclusion Consultant, with 25+ years of experience, offering bespoke training for staff within your organisation to further support your We...

17/08/2026

PART THREE: Supporting Autistic and otherwise Neurodivergent Children Through the School Holidays - A Different Kind of Summer
For many children, the summer holidays are presented as something to look forward to: six weeks without school, more freedom, holidays, days out and opportunities to spend time with family and friends.
For an autistic child, summer can absolutely be enjoyable too. But it can also bring challenges that are easily overlooked.

School, despite all the demands it may bring, often provides structure and predictability. There are familiar routines, known expectations and recognisable patterns to the day. When the summer holidays arrive, much of that can disappear overnight.

Suddenly, days may be less predictable. There may be holidays, visitors, unfamiliar places, busy attractions, changes to mealtimes and sleep routines, increased socialising and the expectation that children should be constantly doing something because they are "on holiday".
For some autistic children, that can be exhausting.

Perhaps we need to rethink what a successful summer actually looks like.

Think about the sensory environment
Summer itself can create additional sensory demands.
Heat. Bright sunlight. Crowds. Noise. Unfamiliar smells. Busy airports. Festivals. Theme parks. Restaurants. Different beds. Different foods.

Before assuming that a child simply doesn't want to participate, consider what the environment may be asking of their sensory system.

Could you visit somewhere at a quieter time? Could the outing be shorter? Is there somewhere quiet they can retreat to? Could headphones or ear defenders, sunglasses, familiar clothing, sensory aids or a favourite object help?

And importantly, can they leave if it becomes too much?
Sometimes the most effective adjustment isn't teaching a child to tolerate an overwhelming environment. It's changing the environment so that it becomes less overwhelming.

Read the full blog here:
https://www.inclusionconsultant.co.uk/a-different-kind-of-summer-supporting-autistic-and-otherwise-neurodivergent-children-through-the-school-holidays

15/08/2026

If you aren’t outraged, then something is seriously wrong. And if you don’t recognise the role that relentless mainstream media scrutiny and social media bullying have played in this, then I think you’re missing what has really happened here.

What has happened was completely avoidable.

From my perspective, at the root of all of this are systemic racism and ableism. We also need to recognise how the relentless and unnecessary public scrutiny may have affected Jason as an autistic person, and ask serious questions about whether those around him, including the university, responded with the compassion, understanding and appropriate support that he needed.

Too many reporters and commentators have emboldened the very worst in people. Once again, we are being reminded that there are real human consequences when individuals are relentlessly targeted, judged and publicly discredited.

Jason Arday didn’t simply fall. He was pushed. He was subjected to a level of scrutiny, disdain and disregard that should trouble every one of us.

If only we could summon the same level of anger towards the systems that failed him as some people have shown towards the man himself.

14/08/2026

If you're curious to know more about the book, you can find information here: https://www.inclusionconsultant.co.uk/neverblendin

Oh and please join the book page on Instagram

It would make such a difference to have more people there, visiting, interacting and sharing the posts.

Never Blend In is a powerful collection of inspiring stories from LGBTQIA+ trailblazers, offering hope, resilience and practical insights to help readers embrace their authentic selves without compromise. More than a book, it is a call to challenge limiting beliefs, celebrate individuality and remin...

14/08/2026

PART TWO: Supporting Autistic and otherwise Neurodivergent Children Through the School Holidays - A Different Kind of Summer

For many children, the summer holidays are presented as something to look forward to: six weeks without school, more freedom, holidays, days out and opportunities to spend time with family and friends.

For an autistic child, summer can absolutely be enjoyable too. But it can also bring challenges that are easily overlooked.

School, despite all the demands it may bring, often provides structure and predictability. There are familiar routines, known expectations and recognisable patterns to the day. When the summer holidays arrive, much of that can disappear overnight.

Suddenly, days may be less predictable. There may be holidays, visitors, unfamiliar places, busy attractions, changes to mealtimes and sleep routines, increased socialising and the expectation that children should be constantly doing something because they are "on holiday".
For some autistic children, that can be exhausting.

Perhaps we need to rethink what a successful summer actually looks like.

Keep some predictability

The school routine may have disappeared, but that doesn't mean all structure has to disappear with it.

Keeping a few familiar anchors — perhaps waking, meals and bedtime — can make the day feel more predictable without creating an overly rigid timetable.

Visual schedules, calendars or simple written plans can also help.

If you're going somewhere, try explaining in advance what will happen: where you're going, how you're getting there, who will be there, what you might do and approximately when you'll return.

And if plans change, give as much warning as you reasonably can.

For many autistic children, knowing what to expect reduces the amount of uncertainty they have to process.

Read the full blog here:

Neurodiversity, SEND (Special Educational Needs & Disability) and LGBTQ+ Specialist offering workshops and speaking services to enhance employment wellbeing. An Inclusion Consultant, with 25+ years of experience, offering bespoke training for staff within your organisation to further support your We...