Emotional Based School Avoidance: How Can Schools Help Autistic Pupils? with Sue Sheppard
Release Date: 09/11/2025
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The SENDcast
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The SENDcast
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The SENDcast
With ADHD awareness month upon us, we wanted to discuss the important topic of ‘the experiences of girls in school with diagnosed/undiagnosed ADHD’. In this episode, Louise Belshaw, who has ADHD and is a mother to two adult children with the condition, shares her extensive experience as a secondary teacher and her specialisation in ADHD in females. She highlights that: “I've seen too many girls not get the diagnosis, or not go forward with the diagnosis, because they're not being supported by school and the teachers don't know what ADHD in girls looks...
info_outlineIn this week’s podcast, Dr Sue Sheppard, an educational psychologist with over 30 years of experience in autism joins Dale. In this enlightening episode, we delve into the important topic of Emotion-Based School Avoidance (EBSA) and how schools can better support autistic pupils.
Dr Sheppard discusses the alarming statistics surrounding school attendance for autistic students, with more than a quarter being persistently absent. She highlights the crucial need for understanding and empathy from educators to create a supportive environment where all students feel they belong.
Some key points from the episode include:
- The shift from viewing school avoidance as "refusal".
- Understanding the push and pull factors at home and at school.
- The importance of communication and being listened to, emphasising that students need to feel heard to foster a sense of belonging.
- Practical strategies for schools, including the significance of individualised support and creating autism-friendly environments.
“What hasn't worked is just as important as what has worked”.
Dr Sue Sheppard
This episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice.
View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!
About Sue Sheppard
Dr Sue Sheppard is a senior educational psychologist with over 30 years of experience in autism. She has been a consultant to the Lorna Wing Centre for Autism (part of the National Autistic Society) since 1996 and was a close colleague of the late autism research pioneer, Dr Lorna Wing. She is embedded in the DISCO diagnostic training team which is nationally and internationally recognised.
Sue has worked as a specialist Educational Psychologist for numerous London boroughs and has been instrumental in setting up provision for children with ASD across early years, primary and secondary. She continues to work in schools and with families and undertakes specialist psychological assessments of autistic children and young people. A key focus of her current work is the well-being of autistic girls.
Sue is Real Group’s specialist EP for autism and module leader for Real Training’s postgraduate courses in autism. She has also been a specialist speaker in autism at University College London.
Sue is also chairing the Expert Reference Group for the Whole School SEND units on autism and will be the lead content writer for the project.
Contact Sue
https://www.facebook.com/RealTrainingUK/
Useful Links
EBSA Tookit from South Gloucestershire
EBSA Flowchart (Cambridgeshire County Council)
- B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk
- Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast
- Email Dale – dale@bsquared.co.uk
- Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe
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