Blog
How Employers and Training Providers Can Improve Overall Retention Rates
Retention rates are a critical measure of success for any apprenticeship programme. High retention not only indicates that apprentices are engaged and supported but also that training providers and employers are effectively nurturing talent. Improving retention rates benefits everyone involved,...
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Neurodivergent Apprentices: Why Only 10% Declare Their Learning Needs
Neurodivergent Apprentices: Why Only 10% Declare Their Learning Needs When it comes to apprenticeships, providing the right support for apprentices is crucial for their success. However, a significant challenge facing employers and training providers is the underreporting of learning needs...
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Understanding Autism: Why Someone Can’t Be “A Little Autistic”
When discussing autism, it's important to know that it's not a matter of being "a little autistic" or "very autistic." This idea can be confusing and doesn’t explain autism well. Here's why this misunderstanding exists and what employers need to...
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Understanding autism: Rethinking functioning labels and linear spectrums
The autism spectrum is often misunderstood. Many people think of it as a straight line, where someone can be "a little autistic" or "very autistic." However, autism is far more complex than that. It varies greatly from person to person...
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Understanding the Intersection of Autism and LGBTQIA+ Identities
Did you know that autistic individuals are significantly more likely to identify as LGBTQIA+ compared to non-autistic individuals? Research by George and Stokes (2017) found that nearly 70% of autistic adults identify as non-heterosexual. Similarly, studies by Allison and Baron-Cohen...
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Understanding the Underdiagnosis of ADHD in Women and Girls
ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, was historically thought of as a condition that affects hyperactive boys. However, more people are starting to understand that ADHD can look very different in girls and women. The differences in traits leads to...
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Is Dyslexia Considered Neurodivergent? Explained
Dyslexia is a common learning difficulty that primarily affects reading and writing skills. The British Dyslexia Association (BDA) states that 10% of the UK population are dyslexic. In recent years, the conversation surrounding neurodiversity has gained traction, prompting many to...
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Recognising Autism in Women: Key Signs
Autism spectrum condition (ASC) is a neurological difference. According to current diagnostic criteria, autistic individuals face challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviours, and communication. Historically, autism has been more frequently diagnosed in males, but this disparity is increasingly being challenged...
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Why autism might be missed in females
Autism is often seen as a male condition, but this is far from the truth. Females can be and are autistic. However, their diagnosis often gets overlooked or delayed. Why is this so? Historically, the understanding of autism has been...
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The Unique Strengths of Neurodivergent Individuals
Neurodivergent individuals are often misunderstood. Their unique cognitive processes can be seen as challenges rather than strengths. This article aims to shift that perspective. We will explore the unique strengths of neurodivergent individuals, highlighting their potential and value. We will...
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is characterised by a predominance of either inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms, or a combination of both. The condition involves challenges in managing attention, with considerable variability in how individuals focus on tasks based on their relevance. ADHD individuals often seek sensory stimulation and may have a strong need for movement, which can aid in concentration, anxiety regulation, or serve as a form of release. Organisational tasks can be particularly challenging, and there may be difficulties in retaining information in working memory. Written instructions or note-taking can be beneficial. Support in breaking down tasks and managing organisation is often needed.
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Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity acknowledges the natural variations in human brain function and behavioural traits as integral to human diversity, viewing conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and dyscalculia not as disorders but as different aspects of neurocognitive functioning. It advocates for societal shifts towards greater acceptance, rights, and accommodations for those with neurological differences, emphasizing inclusion and support. The concept of a "spiky profile" integrates with this view, illustrating how individuals may exhibit significant strengths in certain areas while facing challenges in others, further highlighting the diverse spectrum of human abilities and the need for tailored support.
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Dyspraxia
Dyspraxia affects both fine and gross motor skills, significantly impacting writing, typing, and self-care activities. Dyspraxic individuals may also face challenges with memory, attention, perception, and processing, leading to difficulties in planning, organisation, executing actions, or following instructions in the correct order.
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Dyscalculia
Individuals with dyscalculia struggle with mastering arithmetic skills, calculations, number sense, and mathematical reasoning. Challenges often extend to understanding quantities, time, and abstract numerical concepts. Dyscalculia is frequently accompanied by working memory difficulties. Approximately 50% of individuals with dyscalculia also face reading challenges, and many experience significant maths anxiety.
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Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that affects the ability to develop automatic and fluent word reading and spelling skills. It is often associated with challenges in phonological awareness, which involves understanding and manipulating the sounds in words, and may also impact orthographic processing—the recognition of whole words, letter strings, or spelling patterns. Dyslexic individuals might be self-conscious about reading aloud, which can also hinder comprehension, and may avoid using complex vocabulary in writing to prevent spelling errors. Though not officially part of the diagnostic criteria, dyslexic individuals often struggle with organisation, sequencing, and may have low academic self-esteem. A notable discrepancy exists between their confidence in verbal tasks versus written tasks.
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Autism
According to current diagnostic criteria, autistic individuals face challenges primarily in social communication and exhibit restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour. The severity of these challenges can vary significantly. Many autistic individuals have sensory sensitivities that are particularly challenging in new and unfamiliar environments. Furthermore, they often prefer structured and predictable settings, benefiting from ample time to process information and adapt to changes. Social anxiety can pose a significant challenge in unstructured and unpredictable social situations. While the challenges of autism might be less visible in certain settings, they can still have a profound, cumulative effect on mental health, well-being, and may lead to burnout.
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