Welcome to our latest edition of the Catalyst Courier. If you have information to share or topics you’d like us to cover please get in touch ([email protected])
This SENDCO Network was held virtually, with information from Sally McCormick on parents and carers of autistic girls
You can access a copy of the slides here: Working with Parents and Carers of Autistic Girls
In the session, we heard from Sally about her research carried out as part of the Doctorate in Education and Child Psychology at the University of Manchester. Her research aims to explore how Educational Psychologists can work effectively with parents or carers of autistic girls. Autistic girls are underrepresented in the literature, and there is also a gap in the literature on how to support parents and carers of autistic girls.
Themes
Sally's study is in the pilot stage, however initial findings have identified four themes:
Listening to parents views
Parents know the child 'best', and know what strategies work at home. EPs in the study found it important to believe and empower the parents, and trust parents when they share what is happening at home. Often Autistic girls can 'hold it together' during the day at school, then 'let it out' at home because they know its safe. Have empathy for the journey they have been on.
Up to date knowledge of the presentation of autistic girls
Having more experience in practice and research knowledge led to feeling more confident having conversations with parents about Autism.
Raising awareness
EPs found the following beneficial in raising awareness of Autistic girls:
- Parent workshops
- Understanding behaviour as communication
- Understanding diagnostic process and SEND
- Understanding masking and internalising
Working collaboratively with parents
Allowing parents to lead the meeting by obtaining their views at the start of the meeting.
Further development
The next step in this study will be to gain more parent/carer views. This will involve research exploring parents’ perspectives of what they would consider to be effective, and areas of further development, when working with EPs to support their autistic daughters. Sally identified the following areas her research will look at for further development of the findings:
Increased involvement with parents
- Parents attending consultation in school
- Support for parents through the diagnostic process and post diagnostic support
More structured training for parents and school staff
- Exploring how this might address staff being more confident in having conversations about Autism with parents, and aid earlier identification
Differing views of home and school
- Parents not feeling believed because school staff do not see the behaviours that parents see at home.
Resources shared
- National Autistic Society (NAS)
- Online training (autistic women and girls)
- Autistic girls network charity
- The Birthday Party Short film to support professionals in identifying the different presentations of autism (for individual viewing. Please fill out the request form on the link to use the film in a group session)
- Autism Greater Manchester have a parent helpline: 0161 998 4667
- Nasen guide to girls and autism
SENDCO Resource Update: file link
These resources have been 'curated' by Grace Stevens, assistant psychologist, within the headings on the Resilience Framework. The attached document provides links to recent information and resources in each of the 5 aspects of Resilience. All links are to our Catalyst website, with information, links and downloadable resources.
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