iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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 · 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 · 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 · 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 · 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

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 · 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 · 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 · 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 · 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 · 06/12/2025

Gig photos rarely do justice to the scale of the sensory experience - but last night's Madness + Squeeze gig at the AO arena was epic... Great musicians and songwriters and performerS at their best...

Multiscreen stage set up with pink none lights, showing Suggs or Madness in front of a large arena crowd.

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

Me and thousands of Rockies at Birmingham NEC... Singing our hearts out. Sam Ryder was incredible. Love love loved it.

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

This view was just an incredible celebration of autumn/fall Yay for autumn Little did I know that one minute later I was going to slip & fall into a stream Full on dunk Had to wring water out of my dress Stupid autumn & leaves covering slippy tree roots

Autumn/ Fall trees with orange and yellow leaves, above a carpet of orange & brown leaves

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Sarah: shall I buy you a metal ring & we can make baubles wreaths Me: sounds fun Several hours later, much gnashing of teeth & despair.... We both had something to hang up Even if we forgot the Christmas cakes that were baking...

Two people holding homemade baubles wreaths (left is mostly silver, right is red & gold) over their faces whilst laughing

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

Halloween - it's a great time to honour family traditions and start on the Christmas cake With a glass of sherry to remember my Dad and Grandma who both liked a glass before their evening meal The smell is very evocative Tomorrow I'll be with my twin @sarahfoxspeaker.bsky.social baking & crafting

Large bowl of dried fruit soaking in sherry and orange juice - a spoon poking out of the mix.

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

Then the art - heartening to see laser printing using biodegradable materials The lovely Vinegar and Brown Paper tempted me to buy a vintage compass engraved with "for when you are lost" Then delighted to be JadeSews first ever sale with her patch denim earrings And this marquetry box ❤️

Gorgeous square wooden marquetry box with vibrant cherry blossom design - branches with flowers and moon behind

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

These were feathery edged and all over the tree and it's stump

Tree branches and stumps covered with yellow/ beige funghi with a feathery edge

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

Today's woodland walk had so many varieties of funghi Including this purple one that I've never seen before (and some baby pink ones) Nature is amazing.

A solitary purple mushroom on a dry autumn woodland floor

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

Stress has hit "tidying under the sink" levels I've too many microfibre cloths & dusters - time to donate I've also cleaned the oven glass so you can see through without peering through oily gunk In other news, son is on day 'alot' of school refusal & daughter failed to get up for tuition #SEND

A clear plastic box containing cloths, dusters, sponges that are folded and stored neatly - the "after" from stress tidying

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

If you're wondering how things are going - I'm at "hoovering behind the sofas" level of anxiety

A shot behind the sofa, where dust and dirt have collected on the walls & carpet

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

I've never seen so many fly agaric on our woodland walk - maybe 30-40 of them This was one of the most photogenic & unspoilt groups

Three bright red flat topped mushrooms - fly agaric - with white spots and stems, with bracken & autumn leaves beneath

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

It's taken 13 years for my ND daughter to want to bake with me Today she said yes We baked red velvet cookies (without the red & lacking white choc drops) I can't wait to try these gluten-free goodies Time will tell if she'll ever want to bake with me again

Baking tray with five large choc chip cookies covered

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

My favourite one is the final, most poignant one And not just those with autism, but with ADHD, early trauma, dyslexia, dyspraxia, who are different in any way Just be nice to your classmates After all one day they might be tech billionaires and you'll wish you'd been their friend

Text from The Onion website

Myth: you should have been much, much nicer to your classmates with autism growing up

Fact: this one checks out, actually

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

I've read books about autism & ADHD that contradicted each other and confused me, now I know why. There are elements in these neurodivergent conditions that overlap & some that are in opposition: Silence Vs stimulation Caution Vs risk taking Novelty Vs repetition AuDHD makes sense at last

Cover of the book "Explaining AuDHD. Recognise it, Embrace it and Thrive with it" by Dr Khurram Sadiq

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 11/09/2025

Today I went for a wild swim and it made all the difference It's been a tough start to the new school year and this created valuable head space

A reservoir with wooded area in the background against a blue sky on a sunny autumn day

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

Huge stacks of stones, created not as tourist cairns but by weather and geology, at the highest places in Cornwall, with stunning views & a superb cafe at the quaintly named Minions stole my heart on our holiday This is Cheesewring that comes with The Hurlers (a triplet of standing stones) to boot

A large weathered stack of stones against a blue sky, scenery is Cornish moorland

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

Watching fishes, turtles, sharks, starfish, jellyfish and more proved a good trip for me and AuDHD daughter (despite the holiday crowds) Sealife is one of her favourite days out

A picture of jellyfish lit with pink light on a purple background

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

I'm not sure that "I appreciate you" feels particularly effusive What does it even mean? It just feels weird to me

A sign in a bunch of flowers saying "I appreciate you"

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

This book is fascinating, persuasive and compelling It highlights the race to cheap disposable fashion, the tiny few who profit enormously, the massive price paid by humans & our environment & how little it improves our lives And what we can do about it Eye opening & life changing I love it

Cover of the hardback book "Less" by the insightful author Patrick Grant

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

And it's a wrap (of a kind). My second book "And Trauma Made Five" is about welcoming two children into our family (to become 4) and the invisible stranger in our midst (trauma). From "it's okay" to "bit angsty" to "what the ?*!!" & how we survived. Next step: editor @rachelsmall.bsky.social

Two white lever-arch folders on a wooden table. The files have covers with the title "and trauma made five." There's also a copy of Emma's book "and then there were four"

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

I can't seem to find it, but I think this would be a great alternative

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

I often create new succulents from a single leaf - just lay in on soil, spray occasionally and in some months you get mini plants - all these grew from a single leaf

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

What's not to love? Googly eyes on pine cones in the middle of my woodland walk Made me smile even more

A woodland ground scene with twigs, leaves and pine cones with googly eyes

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

Look at those yummy colourful stairs - they stood out on the B&W Tudor style of Chester

A photograph of some colourful steps - each has a vibrant pattern with yellow, orange and pink colours dominating, flowers, circles and geometric patterns.

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

That sounds a bit rough My daughter hates cycling downhill - too fast, sensory overload and then the fear kicks in She walks her bikes down the fun bits

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

Imagine being asked to work (think, learn) standing next to a booming speaker stack. Ear defenders might make it bearable (for a while), but they're not really solving the problem. Yet this is the best most schools can offer pupils who struggle with sensory overload in schools.

A cartoon shows a distressed stick figure girl with curly red hair covering her ears in pain, standing near loud speakers. A thought bubble above her says, "The noise is PAINFUL. Make it stop! I want to scream/run." Another stick figure, representing a teacher, wearing a graduation cap and bow tie, is smiling and offering green ear defenders, saying, "Here, use these ear defenders."

The cartoon represents the inadequacy of school adjustments for children who experience sensory overwhelm

A yellow sticky note at the bottom says, "SEND Help!"

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

This book is creating enlightening dialogue with my autistic ADHD daughter: Me: does using your phone help you listen to me? Her: yes Me: I thought you were ignoring me Her: I wasn't ignoring you Me: This book's helping me understand you Her: that's cool Thank you @robinince.bsky.social

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 26/05/2025

Neurodiversity & balanced diets aren't always besties Smells, textures, unexpected sensations - all can put her off eating or make her feel sick Sometimes it's white bread and cheese for weeks... With a few grapes, ice pops, maybe a carrot #SENDParents #Neurodiversity #AutismMom #ADHDMom

A colorful cartoon shows two stick-figure characters, Sky and Lucy. Sky is holding an assortment of sweets and junk food in both hands, including popcorn, pizza, chips, lollipop, chocolate, donut, hot dog and a carrot. She looks nervous and is sweating.

Lucy stands nearby with a hand face palmed on her forehead, clearly exasperated. The caption reads, “Sky and Lucy have different definitions of a ‘balanced’ diet.”

A small sticky note at the bottom says, “SEND Help!"

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 24/05/2025

Taking my wild swimming to another level .. prescription goggles have arrived Wild swimming is amazing for selfcare It was after a swim I finished an EHCP appeal

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 24/05/2025

I was inspired by Eliza's book to start drawing my stick figures again It helps me process and express my life in bitesize, accessible drawings This was this morning's creation after EBSA yesterday

A cartoon shows two versions of a child holding a teddy bear. On the left, labeled "What you hear," the child appears angry and says, "I'm not going," "I feel sick," and "I'm too tired."

On the right, labeled "What he's really saying," the same child appears anxious and sits hugging the teddy bear. A thought bubble filled with distressing thoughts surrounds him: "I am scared," "Help me," "They’ll bully me," "I don’t feel safe," "It’s confusing," "They’ll laugh at me," and more.

A yellow sticky note in the middle says, "SEND Help!"

The bottom text reads: "He is not REFUSING to go to school... he is too ANXIOUS and AFRAID to go."

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 24/05/2025

He got a new haircut For once he LOVED it He was happy, excited to share it... his best friend laughed. He knew then that others would laugh, jeer, make fun of him. His stress bucket overflowed and he couldn't go to school. It's not about the hair. It's about fear. #Schoolrefusal

A stick figure cartoon shows two versions of a child holding a teddy bear. On the left, labeled "What you hear," the child appears angry and says, "I'm not going," "I feel sick," and "I'm too tired." On the right, labeled "What he's really saying," the same child appears anxious and sits hugging the teddy bear. A thought bubble filled with distressing thoughts surrounds him: the main thoughts are "I am scared," "Help me," and smaller thoughts include "They’ll bully me," "I don’t feel safe," "It’s confusing," "The smell makes me want to vomit," and more.

The bottom text reads: "He is not REFUSING to go to school... he is too ANXIOUS and AFRAID to go."

A yellow sticky note in the middle says, "SEND Help!"

Drawn by emmalgsutton

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

Today I'm re-reading this book on shame as I think it's an experience that defines my son's emotional life Illuminating and thought-provoking and eye-opening (and a bit heart-breaking too)

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

I had no idea that having SEND children would have such an impact on our family finances... It's a double whammy - reduced income (as someone has to be home all the time) and thousands in costs for diagnoses and more. All while my daughter misses out on having an education.

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 18/05/2025

The art I'm making right now is very much about expressing myself and processing stuff and making life bearable

Stick cartoon on drowning child asking for help as teacher looms over saying 'be quiet'

Below the water are labels like sensory overload, dysregulated, out of their depth, stressed. Above the water are labels like definitely and disruptive.

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 18/05/2025

SEND pupils are more likely to be excluded... But what's really happening? A child feels overwhelmed/ distressed They become dysregulated, experience an amygdala hijack (fear & panic) Their behaviour looks aggressive (fight) or disobedient if they leave (flight)... Sanctions ensue #sendhelp

Stick figure cartoon shows pupil swimming in deep water with a shark circling. Beneath the water are phrases such as stressed, dysregulated, meet to move / swim, sensory overload, unmet needs. The pupil is asking for help

A teacher tells them to be quiet. The pupil gets labelled disobedient, defiant, disruptive.

The title is "what's really happening?"

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

I just adored this bright splash of spiky vivid green and its wonderful shadow ... A woodland walk always reveals something wonderful

A bright green bracken leaf casts a sharp shadow on a silver birch log on a leaf-littered woodland floor

The fern enters bottom right, its shadow is centre to top left, the silver birch branch is central and vertical...

The sun glints off the bright green leaves that shine

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Emma Sutton @emmalgsutton.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

So good to find a glorious new section of canal to walk - did 12km today with @sarahfoxspeaker.bsky.social

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