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Emma Sutton

@emmalgsutton.bsky.social
275 followers 399 following 643 posts

#SENDMum #AutismMom #ADHDMum to two incredible adopted children. Battling for an education that fits the needs of her neurodiverse children. Expressing the reality of being a SEND parent in books and cartoons.

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Reposted by Emma Sutton
SEDSConnective @sedsconnective.org · 24/09/2026
Language matters and evolves. Our terminology card sets out short plain definitions of the terms we use, from neurodivergence and neurodivergent through to neuro-affirmative. We connect and neuro-affirmative language recognises hypermobility and neurodivergence as interconnected aspects
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
I wrote a book some years ago I didn't like it, so it gathered dust Now 18 months after rediscovering it, I'm in a countdown to publication If anyone liked And Then There Were Four and would like a pre-publication copy of And Trauma Made Five to read & review, let me know.
A ripped page teasing the book cover for "and trauma made five" with the headline "coming soon" and below the website www.nibblesandbubbles.co.uk
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
I don't think I've ever heard something as heart breaking as my sobbing daughter telling her rabbit that sh's so sorry she couldn't save him.... Mayhem was one of a kind & is going to be sorely missed
A white rabbit with black ears and black guyliner eating dandelion leaves
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
You met the family in "and then there were four". Now meet the fifth member. "and trauma made five"
“Coming Soon graphic showing two e-readers. One displays the cover of and then there were four by Emma Sutton; the other reveals the title of its sister book, and trauma made five, in the same distinctive cream, black and deep-red design.
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
"And Trauma Made Five" Post adoption tales of when the ripple effects of trauma bit hard and we had to dramatically change our parenting from Trad to Therapeutish It's getting closer to publication, which is both nerve-wracking & exciting
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Today we've got a two hour EHC needs assessment mediation Because even though our son meets the criteria for need, the LA believe his needs are able to be met through school (which he can't attend) He has had no education since January....
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Reposted by Emma Sutton
Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · 21/07/2026
No, autism is NOT overdiagnosed. It is *under diagnosed*, especially in autistics who aren't white boys from financially stable families. Anyone who claims we are overdiagnosing autism is either misinformed, or cruel, or both. #autism #neurodiversity
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Mental health is a slippery issue Those most in need of help don't always recognise they need it Nor are they able to accept help Sometimes even opening up to others is too hard/ painful/ scary But this country needs to invest in mental health - it saves lives
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Today I took six photos of bees on flowers but this was my favourite. In other news, a friend gifted me a reframe about my life - that I had managed to keep three people alive, who might not have made it without me.
A beautiful pink petalled echinacea plant with a bulbous yellow centre, against a grass backdrop. A single bee sits on a left hand petal.
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
There are so many children and families being failed by the system Months to wait for referrals or appointments Years to wait for insight into your child's neurodiversity Few options (with nowhere near enough places) if your child can't cope in mainstream SEND is in crisis. So are those with SEND
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
I've just finished the wonderful Hotel Alpha (the 3rd book of Mark's I've read)... Tempted by the extra stories online but will they answer my burning need to know if Graham found Agatha or Chas found his dad?? @watsoncomedian.bsky.social
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Note to self 1. Don't try baking cakes when the sparky is working on your dodgy electrics 2. Don't try baking when your request for ECH needs assessment has been spuriously rejected based on inaccurate information as your brain is done
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
I have one child with an EHCP & I couldn't be less satisfied without being dead Three years of battle Got an EHCP but mainstream Then a court case Just before, the LA gave her a specialist school, court over Twist: the school is full Still no education The system is totally broken
school.is
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Reposted by Emma Sutton
empoweredscotland.bsky.social @empoweredscotland.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
223000 children mainly neurodivergent children are regularly absent in Scotland. Many are on part time or very part time timetables. 1 hour a week for example. Other have long lasting absences due to being burnt out by being consistently overwhelmed. We want national standardised accurate recording
Black and white image of five children representing “ghost” children. They aren’t a statistic they’re a child missing school masking their distress feeling invisible they are in every community in Scotland neurodivergent children and young people whose needs aren’t met in mainstream schools
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
So the LA aren't just messing parents about, they're messing schools and colleges about to They've named a specialist provision (caving just before tribunal) who have No Room for my daughter.... Just when you think you've an answer... Nope SEND children are being let down by a broken system
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Reposted by Emma Sutton
empoweredscotland.bsky.social @empoweredscotland.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
Daily reminder that 222,000 children, young people and their parents/carers are struggling right now. They may have had no sleep. Burnout means they aren’t engaging in normal activities. Barely able to leave their rooms or houses. Or so distressed being upset, crying and screaming. School is cause.
Stock black and white ai image of a young person sitting looking sad with their head in there folded arms. They are sitting hunched up beside a brick wall. Their face and head is covered by a hoodie. A school bag sits beside them. The caption reads 223 000 neurodivergent children and young people in Scotland can’t access their legal right to education
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Almost two weeks ago I attended a fused glass workshop. It was two hours of design, chat & delicate glueing. The finished curved piece is both beautiful & a reminder of a lovely crafternoon with friends.
A piece of glass with three flower like stalks, a butterfly and grass at the bottom - pre-firing The same glass, now curved and fired. The colours of the pink flowers and orange butterfly pop.
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Three years out of education 18 months with an EHCP (said mainstream but mainstream said no) Nearly 300 pages of evidence Two weeks before the court tribunal, the LA concede With all of one week before Easter break in her final year of high school So much energy & time wasted to save money
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
These children and their families are being left down by a system that doesn't suit them I have two teens not in education - school has devastated their mental health instead of giving them friends, belonging, confidence
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
This is an amygdala hijack When the thinking brain shuts down due to fear & what's left is a fight/ flight/ freeze response Yesterday it was just a scorched kitchen counter But it's also running, going missing, shouting, cowering... Trauma and neurodivergent brains are an interesting combo
A mottled kitchen surface with a dark brown speech mark from a hot pan
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Neither of our autistic children have thrived in mainstream. No it's worse. They've been traumatised & suffered devastating impact on their mental health.
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
To say we've been navigating a sh*tshow may be classic British understatement One child is falling apart & it's tearing us all up We're tempted to up sticks & move 200 miles away, but all the support is here.
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
So we shut down screens and phones But that doesn't work We shut down the WiFi We know she's hot-spotting her phone to Yet Another secret device Her AuDHD brain just cannot cope with being offline to enable sleep Instead we have to juggle IT madness & sleep deprived teen Why is it all so hard?
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Reposted by Emma Sutton
Brian Coulter @philabcoulter.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
Best TikTok thing going is the two dudes trying food from every country without leaving NYC. If you haven’t seen them yet, it’s incredible. My favorite so far is last week’s. Legit got me emotional.
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
Today's been tough. Eldest was on a phone call at 4am and I didn't get back to sleep Navigating Olympic level parenting challenges in 4h sleep makes me go slightly insane Patience - nil Empathy - who cares? Compassion - nada This bright orange fungus was the highlight of my awful day
A thin branch against a snowy winter backdrop. Along the branch are a long stretch of tiny spots of bright orange fungus
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
I wish it was as easy to save young lives as it was to mend the 3 items of clothing I saved from landfill *A pocket on my dress *A neckline of a teen's fav top, resewn *The lining of a dress There's a huge sense of achievement in mending that isn't the same as buying a replacement
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
Today I contemplated paths on my long dog walk .. I noted how some are wider with clear destination, some barely visible with twists and turns so you have no idea where they'll lead The walk felt like a meditation on life & reminded me to search out those who've been here before, for advice.
A footpath through a woodland with leafless trees and plenty of blue sky. There are fallen leaves, bracken and an icing of snow on the ground.
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
Found/ designed time to immerse myself in creativity, art, sculpture in the gorgeous landscape A much needed mini-holiday in a two week festive break that has been exhausting, not much fun & almost devoid of festivity I'm not looking forward to next week - I fear the struggle will be huge
A large black bronze ampersand statue overlooking rolling landscape, a few mature trees with a dappled setting sun in the background (at Yorkshire Sculpture Park)
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
I asked my OH (in all seriousness) if it was too early to take them down today (and that's me holding off for 3 days)
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 26/12/2025
I think Fred wants a stocking ... Or a treat if he gives up the stocking without ragging it to pieces/ swallowing bits so he ends up at the vets Despite the obvious ruse, I'd rather swap a treat than spend hundreds at the vets
A chocolate brown spaniel stares at his owner with a gold festive Christmas stocking in his mouth. He's in a lounge. His eyes say "what about me?"
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
Celebrities sharing their experiences can help with education & representation Today, I saw a paragraph about Robbie Williams As I read, some ideas clicked in my brain - I think my son might have dyscalcula His time blindness His inability to memorise phone numbers His struggles getting lost...
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
Eldest was on her laptop until 5am this morning Despite her begging not to have screen time limits, her AuDHD brain can't seem to make smart decisions I woke at 0330am and am now stomping around like a bear woken from hibernation to an empty fridge
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
We keep routines as close to normal as possible - but even decorations, extra crowds, the radio, TV are different It's impossible to avoid the craziness
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Reposted by Emma Sutton
Actually Owltistic @actuallyowltistic.com · 22/12/2025
Many will have their routines off the charts this week. Please be gentle. 🫶🎄 #Autistic #Autism #Neurodivergent #Neurodivergence #Holidays
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
I'm currently at "I hate Christmas" levels of feeling like the burden is too heavy and very unevenly distributed I reckon the distribution is about 90% me, 9% my husband and 0.5% per teen (which is being generous) Everyone wants to put their feet up and have a good time Hello incompatible wishes
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 21/12/2025
I've done my fourth present wrapping session To be frank I've not a clue what I've wrapped, whether I've found everything, or what day it is It's been a very odd few weeks with far too much adrenaline, far too little sleep and I'm totally discombobulated SEND parenting is hard at Xmas
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
Some things don't need gamifying My book recording app (so I know which book is next in the series, favourite authors etc) now tells me how long my reading streak is I don't need to know It doesn't matter to me, as much as not taking books on holiday I've already read Stupid app
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
My festive mojo has been cowed beneath family stuff, but poked her head out today & put my homemade bauble wreath up I also strung a few lights around my focus tree And got the ladder ready to get the decs from the loft (next year, we'll have a loft ladder, she says for 7th year in a row)
Large wreath made from silver, gold & faux fur baubles with a few blue bell baubles - wreath is hanging on a brown front door.

Some distracting reflections that aren't worth describing...
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
My daughter needs to know in advance if her most desired present is under the tree Or her anxiety makes the whole experience too stressful Her expression is not a measure we use as feedback ...
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
Today's going to be tricky Had about 2h sleep Because youngest ran away - caught by police miles from home in a big city We've no idea what to do to keep him safe anymore
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
The meeting seemed to go well - they listened and responded and commented on the information I'd sent them (a risk assessment re: dysregulation) Overall, I'm hopeful that they will create a safe and supported approach to my son's individual needs But time will tell
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
Today I have to open my son's schools minds to how to help him when he's dysregulated Last week they threatened, failed to listen to him, gave him a deadline he couldn't respond to & lied to him All whilst his brain was in fight/ flight mode Then suspended him for being distressed
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 14/12/2025
My elder sister and I have taken our photographic pebbling to a new level - with 'Pebble Snap" Currently on a festive theme, we've been snapping photos of large bows, giant baubles, grotto doors... I sent her this today - I'm not sure she'll find festive skeletons anytime soon
A front door of a home with Christmas decorations including a colourful wreath, candy canes and more bizarrely some skeletons climbing the walls with tinsel and Santa hats...
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 13/12/2025
During COVID, a therapist asked what support I had, I shrugged nervously (I'd none) Friday s/one asked what support I had, I listed * My soprano sisters * The SEND parent group * The Women who Talk (deep talk) There are so many people who lift me up, I'm truly grateful for them in my life
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
I am "stay safe when walking the dog on country lanes with no pavement" age today Cost less than £4 - which doesn't even make sense to me. If it saves my life, I don't care how square I look.
A high Vis fluorescent yellow waistcoat or gilet with reflective stripes
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
I can confirm that having a missing teen with autism & anxiety is a surefire way to lose your appetite & mind Seven hours of location tracking as he turns his phone mostly off & panic is not a fun way to spend a day Here's hoping he's home soon 🤞🏻🙏🏻
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Reposted by Emma Sutton
Nicole Filippone, Autistic Advocate & Author @nicolefilippone.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
Everyone is not "a little" autistic Everyone is not "a little" ADHD Everyone is not "a little" OCD To be diagnosed with these conditions, a person must be meaningfully impaired by them.
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Reposted by Emma Sutton
Giles Paley-Phillips @eliistender10.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
Please share if this resonates with you. ❤️
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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 06/12/2025
Sometimes sharing an experience makes all the difference Saturdays my twin sister @sarahfoxspeaker.bsky.social and I watch Strictly together and What's App throughout.... So many Wows! Guessing the scores Anticipating a Charleston Emoticons mostly include 😍🤣😭
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Reposted by Emma Sutton
Foxes In Love @foxes-in-love.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
A comic of two foxes, one of whom is blue, the other is green. In this one, Blue looks at Green in confusion, as Green is covered in pink hair rollers.
Green: I'm going to find out what I'd look like with curls!

Blue sits down to wait as Green leaves the room.
Green: It's time to take the rollers out!

Blue sits with the most neutral expression possible as Green returns, as a fluffy cloud of uncontrollable curls.

With miraculous self-discipline, Blue manages to keep his expression neutral, while Green frowns at him.
Blue: Requesting permission to laugh hysterically.
Green: Request denied.
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