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The government is asking people what they think about changes to the SEND system (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) in England- Deadline 18th May 2026
The Government has published a SEND consultation focused on proposed changes to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system.
The SEND Reform putting children and young people first is in consultation
You can read about it here :
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These are proposals only and the consultation is the opportunity for children, young people, families, professionals and organisations to share their views before any decisions are made.
These proposals could have a long-term impact on education and support for children and young people who are neurodivergent, including those who are autistic, ADHD, Tourette’s and dyspraxic as well as those with SEND and co-occurring fluctuating conditions such as symptomatic hypermobility Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS rare types) and Paediatric Generalised Joint Hypermobility (pGJH pgHSD).
This includes associated conditions like dysautonomia (POTS OH) allergies, MCAS Gastrointestinal issues, Toileting issues, hormones ,headaches, biological anxiety, symptoms after infections/illness, pain, soft tissue tears, joints pain, exhaustion.
Often these are not understood and might be seen as part of other social demands or social mental, emotional or environmental issues only .
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New releases of categories of complex SEND (EHCPs) by Gov. here
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The important medical guidance draft is here
The work by our Chair and others on the schooltookit some years ago now is here and more up to date information is are in these links if you want to know more about the issues with our tissues.
https://www.sedsconnective.org/post/understanding-hypermobility-disorders-syndromes-in-schools
https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/142379/pdf/
Physical health challenges in neurodivergent children and young people https://my.chartered.college/research-hub/physical-health-challenges-in-neurodivergent-children-and-young-people/
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-084203 Quadt et al (2024)
https://www.sedsconnective.org/post/written-evidence-send-crisis
Frequent Pain is Common Among 10-11-Year-Old Children with Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S472414
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https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2026.10563
Critchley H, Minnis H, Gajwani R, et al. The elephant in the room: neurodivergence in psychiatry. The British Journal of Psychiatry. Published online 2026:1-3. doi:10.1192/bjp.2026.10563
Podcasts/webinars/some articles here
Physical health challenges in neurodivergent children and young people https://my.chartered.college/research-hub/physical-health-challenges-in-neurodivergent-children-and-young-people/ 
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NASEN https://www.sedsconnective.org/post/understanding-hypermobility-disorders-syndromes-in-schools
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New Research-backed Paper Warns that Diagnosis Delay and Symptom Disbelief is Putting Neurodivergent Children and Young People at Greater Risk https://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/104052/new-research-backed-paper-warns-that-diagnosis-delay-and-symptom-disbelief/ 
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https://www.specialneedsjungle.com/schools-need-know-support-hypermobility-eds/
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Six practices to retain disabled and neurodivergent staff https://schoolsweek.co.uk/solutions-six-practices-to-retain-disabled-and-neurodivergent-staff/ 
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School toolkit launches to transform understanding of hypermobility syndromes in children https://www.educatemagazine.com/school-toolkit-launches-to-transform-understanding-of-hypermobility-syndromes-in-children/ 
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Autism: 5 adjustments needed in your classroom https://www.tes.com/magazine/teaching-learning/general/autism-5-adjustments-needed-your-classroom 
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Understanding Hypermobility Disorders/syndromes in schools https://www.sedsconnective.org/post/understanding-hypermobility-disorders-syndromes-in-schools 
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Raising awareness of pupils with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes / Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders https://edpsy.org.uk/blog/2020/raising-awareness-of-pupils-with-ehlers-danlos-syndromes-hypermobility-spectrum-disorders/
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Unmasking hypermobility: the missing connections in neurodivergence and EBSA with Jane Green MBE https://send-network.co.uk/posts/season-5-episode-8-unmasking-hypermobility-the-missing-connections-in-neurodivergence-and-ebsa-with-jane-green-mbe
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Unseen Struggles: The Surprising Link Between Pain And Neurodivergence (With Jane Green) https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/podcast/unseen-struggles-the-surprising-link-between-pain-and-neurodivergence-with-jane-green
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Dr Steve Murray MCCT: Linking neurodivergence and physical health https://my.chartered.college/event/linking-neurodivergence-and-physical-health-implications-for-student-welfare-and-attendance/
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Neurodivergence in education (With Kathryn Taylor) https://teacherstalkradio.podbean.com/e/neurodivergence-in-education-the-late-late-show-with-kathryn-taylor/
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https://painconcern.org.uk/airing-pain-148-links-between-hypermobility-and-neurodivergence/
https://senmagazine.co.uk/autism/26058/its-not-just-in-your-head/ 2025
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Frequent Pain is Common Among 10-11-Year-Old Children with Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S472414
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You can feed back at this very important time before the 18th May 2026.
Feed back on the main consultation here
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EASY READ tfeed back on the consultation here
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