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Isabelle Finn-Kelcey

@isabellefk.bsky.social
2.3K followers 2.4K following 3.4K posts

MEd MRes Interested in narratives of neurodiversity, inclusive education, double empathy, EOTAS, neuroqueering. She/her.

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Reposted by Isabelle Finn-Kelcey
Katie Finlayson @learnwhatyoulive.bsky.social · 9h
We’re also back in the world of the circular argument - where GCSEs correlate with life chances *because we have explicitly made that the case*.
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Joseph Waghorne @jfw87.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
No GCSE English C+ here. Do have a PhD though.
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Special Needs Jungle @spcialndsjungle.bsky.social · 9h
Just FIVE days left. Please will you help to save disabled children’s rights in England by signing and sharing the petition? petition.parliament.uk/petitions/76...
petition.parliament.uk
Petition: Protect legal right to support for children with SEND
A petition created by a British citizen or UK resident. You can share this petition if you agree with its message.
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Lyric Rivera | NeuroDivergent Rebel @neurodivergentrebel.substack.com · 20h
Hey… 👋🏼 I REALLY need your help with something!!! You may know already that Rebecca Duffus and I have a new book coming out next month (with illustrations by the talented Autistic illustrator Carrie Schneider)…
Lyric holding up their latest book Autism Identity and me for Adults
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Isabelle Finn-Kelcey @isabellefk.bsky.social · 11h
GCSEs at age 15 or 16, even if free & supported, might still be inaccessible for YP suffering from eg burnout, trauma, MH crisis, poor physical health etc. There have to be pathways for teens to continue their edu (& recovery) without being trapped at level 2 imv.
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Isabelle Finn-Kelcey @isabellefk.bsky.social · 11h
Really good to hear that leaders are reviewing policy in the light of Fonagy’s MH, ADHD & autism report. The exec summary is vg, eg re prevalence. Prevention - eg not burning children & teens out (whatever their neurotype) - will be key. www.gov.uk/government/p...
gov.uk
Independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism: executive summary
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Isabelle Finn-Kelcey @isabellefk.bsky.social · 21h
Happy birthday Sue! Well done with the writing 😄
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Isabelle Finn-Kelcey @isabellefk.bsky.social · 22h
How does prediction work with this Christian?
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Special Needs Jungle @spcialndsjungle.bsky.social · 22h
On SNJ Today: Our joint Save Our Children's Rights campaign has had an open letter to Andy Burnham and Lucy Powell printed in The Guardian. We know people with lived experience don't want to lose SEND rights. We need the Government to listen www.specialneedsjungle.com/guardian-pri...
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Stickman Communications @stickmancomms.bsky.social · 22h
As a wheelchair user, I never get challenged about using an accessible toilet - but it makes me sad that so often I have experienced the person coming out of the loo, or the person queueing in front of me having a hidden disability, and feeling scared and like they need to justify
A round blue keyring that says "Disabled toilets are for people with disabilities, not just wheelchair users.
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Stickman Communications @stickmancomms.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
So I’m now actively looking for a literary agent - I’ve found one so far that I think is worth trying - my somewhat niche topic and style means many won’t touch it! So if anyone knows anyone who might be interested, please let me know!
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Ann Memmott @annmemmott.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
www.gov.uk/government/p... The new report from Prof. Fonagy, on autism, ADHD and mental health. He's clear that people are not just making it up/not being resilient/only having 'mild' versions compared to the past, etc. Real need, & real answers required. Definitely worth a read.
gov.uk
Independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism: executive summary
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Rachel Charlton-Dailey @rachelcdailey.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
The report actually highlights that successive governments have failed people with ND & MH conditions & sets out a plan to change that. But that's undermined by the fact that the DHSC has very clearly briefed the press on its overdiagnosis agenda. Which the report disproves
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Mark Grimshaw @markgrimshawtism.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
A fascinating editorial decision from the BBC, to make the headline a scaremongering “AUTISM AND ADHD ARE BEING OVERDIAGNOSED”, and then, four bullet points later, have the author of the report quoted as essentially saying “nah, that’s bullshit, actually”.
ADHD and autism at risk of over-diagnosis, says report, as author warns of rise in mental ill health
Summary
• An official review in England finds there is a risk of people being over-diagnosed with
ADHD and autism - three key findings from the report
• As well as neurodevelopmental conditions, the review looks at mental ill health, particularly in younger people. Our health correspondent explains the difference
• It was commissioned earlier this year after Wes Streeting, then the health secretary, said there was an "over-diagnosis" of mental health conditions
• Speaking to Radio 4's Today programme earlier, review chair Prof Peter Fonagy said Streeting was "with respect, completely wrong"
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Anthony Painter @anthonypainter.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Frankly, our entire public discussion has been completely evasive and is letting young people down. We've allowed a mental ill health provoking environment to emerge and now we're looking for magic solutions. This has been a growing crisis, probably from the early 1990s at least.
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Andrew Sissons @acjsissons.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Just going to put these two things side by side. One is the headline of the BBC live blog about the independent review on mental health, ADHD and autism. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c6... The other is an excerpt from the exec summary of that review. www.gov.uk/government/p...
Headline of a BBC live blog saying "ADHD and autism at risk of over-diagnosis, says report, as author warns of rise in mental ill health
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Lizzie Reed @lizziereed.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Just a reminder that you can read a review directly, rather than relying on bad faith headlines. You're likely to find a compassionate and ambitious set of recommendations: www.gov.uk/government/p... For e.g. social, cultural and economic conditions are increasing mental distress and govt must act
gov.uk
Independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism: final report
Final report detailing the findings of the independent review into the prevalence and support for mental health conditions, ADHD and autism.
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Anna Freud @annafreudcharity.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
The independent review into the diagnosis and support of mental health conditions, ADHD and autism is out today, led by Peter Fonagy. The findings show there is real and rising distress. Read our statement:
annafreud.org
Anna Freud's response to the national review into mental health conditions, autism and ADHD
Acting CEO says it is time for a ‘radical change’ to the system.
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Harriet Cannon @harrietcannon.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Oh it's total clickbait, doesn't remotely reflect the report!
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Chris Bogle @chrisbogle.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
7. Here's what makes certain people uneasy: To accept reality of ADHD is to accept the system itself is disabling, which means the structures must change, & that threatens those who benefit most from them. Easier to deny ADHD than to accept structural change
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Isabelle Finn-Kelcey @isabellefk.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Thanks for sharing 🙏
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Isabelle Finn-Kelcey @isabellefk.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Prof Fonagy is so impressive ✨
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Isabelle Finn-Kelcey @isabellefk.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
This thread 🕸️
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Isabelle Finn-Kelcey @isabellefk.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Wait … listen … I can hear the paradigm shifting ✨
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Tim Clare @timclare.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Many people - politicians, doctors, parents - see the neurodiversity movement & feel the threat it poses to their worldview. If some minds are different, if some of us are fucked by the school system as it stands - totally shamed & brutalised by its inadequacy - that requires radical change.
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Isabelle Finn-Kelcey @isabellefk.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Ooh, I love this. @mwduff.bsky.social, this fits what you were saying about ‘sinister’ = left(-handed). Spooky differences/uncanny 🖤
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Isabelle Finn-Kelcey @isabellefk.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Yes exactly. So scary to think that even this situation of awful gatekeeping & escalating need in schs is actually better in many ways than adult services.
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Isabelle Finn-Kelcey @isabellefk.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Not the same but often co-occur (eg when ND needs not recognised or met in schools).
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Isabelle Finn-Kelcey @isabellefk.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
🎯
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Isabelle Finn-Kelcey @isabellefk.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Where is the love the love the love 🥺
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Isabelle Finn-Kelcey @isabellefk.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
The report actually says NHS risks crisis due to worsening MH & that most YP with poor MH also have either autistic traits or ADHD ‘symptoms’: “Co-occurrence is the rule rather than the exception.” (Scroll down in article for graphs/numbers) www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
theguardian.com
NHS at risk of ‘system failures’ as demand for ADHD and autism care soars, inquiry finds
England-focused review led by Prof Peter Fonagy returns stark warning and calls for shift to ‘needs-led’ system
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Parkin and Tea @parkinandtea.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
There are two issues which I think get muddled up and so make it hard to unpick them from each other. One is the school environment, structure and expectations they place upon those in them. The second is timely support when signs of needing something different arise. 1/
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Isabelle Finn-Kelcey @isabellefk.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Gatekeeping drives demand tho
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Chris Bogle @chrisbogle.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
many changes aren't expensive. Eg we can change the way classrooms are managed & taught to make them more inclusive. Medication allows neurodivergent people to function in highly structured environments, so we can blunt the need for medical intervention by addressing the structures
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Isabelle Finn-Kelcey @isabellefk.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Zero- & low-cost reasonable adjustments ❤️ autisticgirlsnetwork.org/knowledge_ba...
autisticgirlsnetwork.org
School - Reasonable Adjustments | Autistic Girls Network
Here are some possible reasonable adjustments that can be established in schools for neurodivergent pupils.
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Isabelle Finn-Kelcey @isabellefk.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
We could change our approaches in schs to better accommodate ND children & those with MH difficulties. Not burning children out/contributing to MH decline would be great.
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Isabelle Finn-Kelcey @isabellefk.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
“Better teacher training, earlier identification of need, greater specialist expertise & a properly staffed workforce are all necessary. But none of these initiatives require children & families to surrender the legal protections they currently have.” ❤️ www.theguardian.com/education/20...
theguardian.com
Legal rights must be retained for children with special educational needs | Letters
Letter: Campaigners and Send parents including Chris Packham and Sally Phillips urge ministers to work with families and organisations to preserve individual provision and improve accountability in th...
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Isabelle Finn-Kelcey @isabellefk.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Yes, completely agree that smaller class sizes make a huge difference.
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Isabelle Finn-Kelcey @isabellefk.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Prob lots of supportive praise/a vibe of being well liked (?), as you say, would be helpful.
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Isabelle Finn-Kelcey @isabellefk.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Yes, possibly teacher needs to adjust their expectations - good language & apparent good understanding doesn’t mean that it all comes easily.
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Isabelle Finn-Kelcey @isabellefk.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Did the SENCO suggest anything the sch could try to make his experience better?
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Helen Barnard @helenbarnard.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
So much talk about parents 'rushing' to get ECHP's & diagnoses. Both take enormous amounts of time & stress. No one's doing that for fun. People do it because they've exhausted other routes to get help for their kids. It'd be excellent if kids got real support... www.theguardian.com/education/20...
theguardian.com
Labour Send changes at risk as parents rush to secure support, say experts
Overhaul of special education in England could unravel, thinktank finds, because of ‘use it before you lose it’ dynamic
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Isabelle Finn-Kelcey @isabellefk.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Exactly. Some recent qual research shows what those quiet nervous children were really feeling - eg @drjobillington.bsky.social et al. (2024) 🥺 www.researchgate.net/publication/...
researchgate.net
(PDF) “I liked school, but school didn’t like me”: Autistic young adults’ reflections on their mainstream primary school experiences
PDF | A substantial literature indicates that autistic children and young people are much more likely than their non-autistic peers to have difficult... | Find, read and cite all the research you need...
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Isabelle Finn-Kelcey @isabellefk.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Mortified for going to the wrong lunch sitting and missing a lesson!
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Anna Freud @annafreudcharity.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
How did you feel when you started secondary school?
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Sally 🔜 AdventureX @sirin.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
This is what my kid's school does. Everyone wins. The adjustments aren't arduous.
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Isabelle Finn-Kelcey @isabellefk.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Yes exactly. Parents & carers are so tiresome & burdensome in their continued demands for accessible education.
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Dr Sarah Payne @drsarahpayne.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
So pleased to see @psychmag.bsky.social showcasing this extremely important short film. The trailer epitomises the lived experience of many often unseen suffering children & parents. Sad the govt rhetoric seems to be on enforcing & not understanding attendance rates www.bps.org.uk/psychologist...
bps.org.uk
Behind the words 'Unauthorised Absence' | BPS
Dr Kavita Bickford-Solder hears from Natalie Lauren, producer of 'Unauthorised Absence', a short film exploring school-related distress and attendance difficulties; plus writer Jo Clayton.
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Isabelle Finn-Kelcey @isabellefk.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
I have this guide & it’s excellent!
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Isabelle Finn-Kelcey @isabellefk.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
If parents/carers of children with any kind of #SEND didn’t have to eg give up paid work to backfill a lack of state support, having (more) children might seem more do-able 🤷‍♀️
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