Sylva Blog
If your autistic or ADHD child is having suicidal thoughts: what actually helps
Is your autistic or ADHD child having suicidal thoughts? An evidence-based guide for parents on how to ask, what to look out for and how to get help.
If your autistic or ADHD child is hurting themselves: what actually helps
Is your autistic or ADHD child self-harming? An evidence-based guide for parents on how to respond, what might be driving it and how to get the right support.
The SEND Overhaul Explained: What You Need to Know
A full breakdown of the newly announced SEND reform so you know what to expect and when.
Free access to Sylva for Bristol Autism Support members
We’re excited to announce a new partnership with Bristol Autism Support (BAS) that will give their members free access to Sylva.
SEND crisis overwhelms majority of West of England schools, as government reforms loom
Research from Sylva Minds of 89 schools reveals widespread increase in SEND pupils, poor mental health among students and teachers, and inadequate funding
Society’s understanding of autism has changed — and why it matters
Exploring autism for your child or yourself? See how definitions have changed over time, and what that means for diagnosis and support today.
The rise of neurodivergence – what might be going on?
UK autism diagnoses rose 787% in 20 years. We look at what’s behind the rise in autism and ADHD diagnoses, and what it means for families.
Understanding your child's sensory world
Have you noticed your child becoming distressed at the sound of a vacuum cleaner or perhaps they can’t bear the feeling of the seams in their socks? These behaviours might be more than just quirks. Sensory processing difficulties are particularly prevalent among autistic children.
What is Right to Choose and how does it work?
Facing long NHS waits for an autism or ADHD assessment? Learn how Right to Choose works in England, and the steps to ask your GP for a referral.
The problem with the word ‘diagnosis’
The language around autism is a topic of much debate, including the term ‘diagnosis’. Here, we explore why some embrace it and others reject it and try to find a balanced approach that accounts for all views.
Lifting the lid on the UK’s mental health crisis
Mental health referrals in England hit a record five million in 2023. We look at what’s behind the rise, from inequality to technology and pressure.
Autism: to assess or not to assess? That is the question
Deciding whether to pursue an autism assessment for your child can be a difficult decision. Here we explore some of the benefits of opting to assess.