
← Even The Dog Has ADHD14. Sept. · 1 Std. 21 Min.
No EHCP? How to Get School Support for ADHD & Autism Anyway
<p>Does September feel like starting your advocacy from zero — new year group, new SENCO, maybe a whole new school?</p><p>In this episode, Diana talks with Natalie Hay qualified teacher, tutor, parent carer of eight years, and author of The Parent Carer about what actually works when you're advocating for a neurodivergent or disabled child at school. </p><p>They cover reasonable adjustments and why they matter more than a diagnosis label, how to get support in place without an EHCP, what self-representing in court really involves, the free school meals campaign that changed government policy, and why offloading frustration onto AI rather than into an email to a school can change how a school actually responds to you. Whatever stage of the school year you're at, you're not starting from nothing.Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome & introducing Natalie Hay, author of The Parent Carer06:51 – Diana's own EHCP story and the exhaustion of "not struggling enough"13:27 – Why SENCOs don't have as much training as you'd think27:38 – The chronic illness diagnosis nobody quite believes41:19 – The one legal term every parent carer needs: reasonable adjustments53:04 – Offloading anger onto AI before it goes near a school email1:15:38 – Natalie's closing advice: look after yourself firstResources & links mentioned in this episode:<strong>Show Guest: </strong>Natalie Hay<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Parent-Carer-Survival-Advocacy-Additional/dp/1917623313" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">The Parent Carer by Natalie Hay (book)</a>: <a href="https://www.opendoorseducation.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Open Doors Education Ltd</a> — Natalie Hay's tutoring practice: or WhatsApp the admin team on +44 7377 105832Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/natalie_hay_uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">@natalie_hay_uk</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/451880946382719/?mibextid=wwXIfr" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Facebook Group</a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-clare-hay-educator-campaigner1111/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">LinkedIn</a><strong>Show Host:</strong> Diana HayesInstagram: <a href="https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCHvnUKaT4PkVm8SNF3sgphg"> @dianavhayes </a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569506844722" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Facebook</a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianavhayes/" target="_