Inflexible approach does not help neurodivergent children

Sir, – I had a call with a “special needs” public dental service on Friday and, on behalf of my non-speaking son, I asked for a simple adaptation. I asked for two photos to show him beforehand and help familiarise the unfamiliar. The response: “We don’t provide that.” When I tried to explain how important it was in supporting access to the dentist, I was told it was never requested before, and if the visit didn’t work out for my neurodivergent son, he could return at another date.

My disabled son experiences this inflexibility in healthcare, education, transport, community activities, supermarkets, summer camps, sport. The five-year-old is expected to adapt. The grown-up is not willing to.

Be the grown-up. Adapt. Learn. Be reasonable.

If my five-year-old can do it, you can too. – Yours, etc,