Isabelle Finn-Kelcey
@isabellefk.bsky.social
MEd MRes Interested in narratives of neurodiversity, inclusive education, double empathy, EOTAS, neuroqueering. She/her.
Reposted by Isabelle Finn-Kelcey
📢The 3rd Edition of the SPELL framework is now available for pre-order from Pavilion Publishing!
The SPELL framework is an ethical and socially valid mechanism for understanding and responding to autism. It is hopeful, honest, respectful, ethical - and individual.
pavpub.com?s=SPELL&post...
1/
The SPELL framework is an ethical and socially valid mechanism for understanding and responding to autism. It is hopeful, honest, respectful, ethical - and individual.
pavpub.com?s=SPELL&post...
1/
November 13, 2025 at 11:19 AM
📢The 3rd Edition of the SPELL framework is now available for pre-order from Pavilion Publishing!
The SPELL framework is an ethical and socially valid mechanism for understanding and responding to autism. It is hopeful, honest, respectful, ethical - and individual.
pavpub.com?s=SPELL&post...
1/
The SPELL framework is an ethical and socially valid mechanism for understanding and responding to autism. It is hopeful, honest, respectful, ethical - and individual.
pavpub.com?s=SPELL&post...
1/
Reposted by Isabelle Finn-Kelcey
Imo 'school readiness' is a ridiculous concept especially now that so many of the early learning goals (the measure they use) are not developmentally appropriate. Honestly you should see the self-regulation goals because quite a lot of *adults* wouldn't meet them.
Government wants to raise 'school readiness' to 75% by 2028 - but experts have warned the education committee this target could leave poorer pupils further behind
schoolsweek.co.uk/government-s...
schoolsweek.co.uk/government-s...
School readiness target 'risky', experts tell MPs
Experts fear a focus on those 'closest to the line' as ministers impose 75% school readiness aim
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Imo 'school readiness' is a ridiculous concept especially now that so many of the early learning goals (the measure they use) are not developmentally appropriate. Honestly you should see the self-regulation goals because quite a lot of *adults* wouldn't meet them.
Reposted by Isabelle Finn-Kelcey
Yes! Name the systems of power. The neuronormative paradigm is one of THE systems of power yet it has gone unnamed.
The history of schooling is the history of the neuronormative paradigm and neuronormative domination.
The history of schooling is the history of the neuronormative paradigm and neuronormative domination.
The Neuronormative Paradigm, conceptualised by @dr-nicky.bsky.social names the systems that define & enforce what society considers normal and acceptable.
This exploration piece contrasts the neuronormative paradigm with the neurodiversity paradigm.
autisticrealms.com/the-neuronor...
This exploration piece contrasts the neuronormative paradigm with the neurodiversity paradigm.
autisticrealms.com/the-neuronor...
The Neuronormative Paradigm: Naming The Systems That Harm | Autistic Realms
The Neuronormative Paradigm, conceptualised by Nick Walker, names the systems that define and enforce what society considers normal. This exploration piece ...
autisticrealms.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Yes! Name the systems of power. The neuronormative paradigm is one of THE systems of power yet it has gone unnamed.
The history of schooling is the history of the neuronormative paradigm and neuronormative domination.
The history of schooling is the history of the neuronormative paradigm and neuronormative domination.
Reposted by Isabelle Finn-Kelcey
The Neuronormative Paradigm, conceptualised by @dr-nicky.bsky.social names the systems that define & enforce what society considers normal and acceptable.
This exploration piece contrasts the neuronormative paradigm with the neurodiversity paradigm.
autisticrealms.com/the-neuronor...
This exploration piece contrasts the neuronormative paradigm with the neurodiversity paradigm.
autisticrealms.com/the-neuronor...
The Neuronormative Paradigm: Naming The Systems That Harm | Autistic Realms
The Neuronormative Paradigm, conceptualised by Nick Walker, names the systems that define and enforce what society considers normal. This exploration piece ...
autisticrealms.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:43 AM
The Neuronormative Paradigm, conceptualised by @dr-nicky.bsky.social names the systems that define & enforce what society considers normal and acceptable.
This exploration piece contrasts the neuronormative paradigm with the neurodiversity paradigm.
autisticrealms.com/the-neuronor...
This exploration piece contrasts the neuronormative paradigm with the neurodiversity paradigm.
autisticrealms.com/the-neuronor...
Fantastic outside-of-the-box local school improvement approaches here!
More scope for #neuro-affirming T&L and #coproduction.
🤗
More scope for #neuro-affirming T&L and #coproduction.
🤗
Yes, that would be how I'd do it
November 11, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Fantastic outside-of-the-box local school improvement approaches here!
More scope for #neuro-affirming T&L and #coproduction.
🤗
More scope for #neuro-affirming T&L and #coproduction.
🤗
“even where capitalism does bring ltd advances that allow increased mobility … we simply switch more trad forms of domination for neuronormative domination relative to the increasingly intense cognitive needs of capital … there seems to be only a v ltd possibility of liberation under capitalism,
We absolutely need more people with greater maths capacity at all stages (GGSE 4+ at a minimum, ideally higher), and we need everyone to be more mathematical for society and the economy. Not just cos AI, but because almost every field of life is becoming more mathematical.
November 9, 2025 at 9:22 PM
“even where capitalism does bring ltd advances that allow increased mobility … we simply switch more trad forms of domination for neuronormative domination relative to the increasingly intense cognitive needs of capital … there seems to be only a v ltd possibility of liberation under capitalism,
Reposted by Isabelle Finn-Kelcey
Sharing an upcoming publication with the chapter I co-authored with @fergus.oolong.co.uk
Embracing Monotropism and Flow
It Takes All Kinds of Minds: Fostering Neurodivergent Thriving at School
Ed. Rachael Davis @claruineill.bsky.social & @suereviews.bsky.social
www.routledge.com/It-Takes-All...
Embracing Monotropism and Flow
It Takes All Kinds of Minds: Fostering Neurodivergent Thriving at School
Ed. Rachael Davis @claruineill.bsky.social & @suereviews.bsky.social
www.routledge.com/It-Takes-All...
November 9, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Sharing an upcoming publication with the chapter I co-authored with @fergus.oolong.co.uk
Embracing Monotropism and Flow
It Takes All Kinds of Minds: Fostering Neurodivergent Thriving at School
Ed. Rachael Davis @claruineill.bsky.social & @suereviews.bsky.social
www.routledge.com/It-Takes-All...
Embracing Monotropism and Flow
It Takes All Kinds of Minds: Fostering Neurodivergent Thriving at School
Ed. Rachael Davis @claruineill.bsky.social & @suereviews.bsky.social
www.routledge.com/It-Takes-All...
Nice response to the curric & assess review. In case it’s paywalled for you, @missgoodyear.bsky.social & @samgibbs.bsky.social conspicuously don’t go down the ‘implementation’ of ‘what works’ (ie data-farming) path, but instead go with attuning to & meeting actual needs.
Happy #neuroqueering! 🦋
Happy #neuroqueering! 🦋
What does the curriculum review mean for the sector? @missgoodyear.bsky.social and @samgibbs.bsky.social set out six points for schools to consider as they plan to implement the review's recommendations
What the curriculum review means for schools
As the profession digests the curriculum and assessment review’s recommendations, thoughts turn to putting them into practice, write Tracy Goodyear and Sam Gibbs
www.tes.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Nice response to the curric & assess review. In case it’s paywalled for you, @missgoodyear.bsky.social & @samgibbs.bsky.social conspicuously don’t go down the ‘implementation’ of ‘what works’ (ie data-farming) path, but instead go with attuning to & meeting actual needs.
Happy #neuroqueering! 🦋
Happy #neuroqueering! 🦋
Reposted by Isabelle Finn-Kelcey
This open-access book marks the first historical overview of the autism rights branch of the neurodiversity movement, describing the activities & rationales of key leaders in their own words.
Edited by @drstevenkapp.bsky.social
link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
Edited by @drstevenkapp.bsky.social
link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
November 3, 2025 at 10:44 AM
This open-access book marks the first historical overview of the autism rights branch of the neurodiversity movement, describing the activities & rationales of key leaders in their own words.
Edited by @drstevenkapp.bsky.social
link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
Edited by @drstevenkapp.bsky.social
link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
New:
“parents reported their [autistic] child’s school as a key issue, with their child’s MH difficulties often beginning or being exacerbated there, due to unmet needs and neurotypical models of provision, along with a lack of help & support from the school when difficulties arose”
“parents reported their [autistic] child’s school as a key issue, with their child’s MH difficulties often beginning or being exacerbated there, due to unmet needs and neurotypical models of provision, along with a lack of help & support from the school when difficulties arose”
Constantly overwhelmed and desperate for help”: Parents’ experiences of supporting their autistic child with mental health difficulties in the United Kingdom. Ashworth E, et al. (2025)
Deteriorating parental wellbeing
The knock-on effect on the whole family
A lack of support
doi.org/10.1371/jour...
Deteriorating parental wellbeing
The knock-on effect on the whole family
A lack of support
doi.org/10.1371/jour...
November 2, 2025 at 6:29 PM
New:
“parents reported their [autistic] child’s school as a key issue, with their child’s MH difficulties often beginning or being exacerbated there, due to unmet needs and neurotypical models of provision, along with a lack of help & support from the school when difficulties arose”
“parents reported their [autistic] child’s school as a key issue, with their child’s MH difficulties often beginning or being exacerbated there, due to unmet needs and neurotypical models of provision, along with a lack of help & support from the school when difficulties arose”
Which aspects of #mainstream ed are unsafe for #neurodivergent YP, how does this impact them and what would help?
Outstanding research from @grrand-team.bsky.social.
@mrjlauder.bsky.social
@bphillipsonmp.bsky.social
@jillberry102.bsky.social
@carlhendrick.substack.com
@thesendcast.bsky.social
Outstanding research from @grrand-team.bsky.social.
@mrjlauder.bsky.social
@bphillipsonmp.bsky.social
@jillberry102.bsky.social
@carlhendrick.substack.com
@thesendcast.bsky.social
The data emerging from this project is incredibly powerful.
Some preliminary insights we’re seeing again and again in #autistic and #adhd personal accounts #school #exclusion #absentism #attendance #problems see my points below
Some preliminary insights we’re seeing again and again in #autistic and #adhd personal accounts #school #exclusion #absentism #attendance #problems see my points below
November 2, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Which aspects of #mainstream ed are unsafe for #neurodivergent YP, how does this impact them and what would help?
Outstanding research from @grrand-team.bsky.social.
@mrjlauder.bsky.social
@bphillipsonmp.bsky.social
@jillberry102.bsky.social
@carlhendrick.substack.com
@thesendcast.bsky.social
Outstanding research from @grrand-team.bsky.social.
@mrjlauder.bsky.social
@bphillipsonmp.bsky.social
@jillberry102.bsky.social
@carlhendrick.substack.com
@thesendcast.bsky.social
Reposted by Isabelle Finn-Kelcey
In autism &/or ADHD, the emotional burden hypothesis--"an explanation of depression risk... not in terms of regulatory deficits within the individual but rather to their experiences of extrinsic adverse events and encounters in their everyday lives" acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/... free
JCPP Advances | ACAMH Child Development Journal | Wiley Online Library
This paper details the protocol for the My Emotions and Me Over Time (MEMO) study, a longitudinal study exploring why ADHD and/or autism traits place adolescents at greater risk for depression. This ...
acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 1, 2025 at 9:16 AM
In autism &/or ADHD, the emotional burden hypothesis--"an explanation of depression risk... not in terms of regulatory deficits within the individual but rather to their experiences of extrinsic adverse events and encounters in their everyday lives" acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/... free
Reposted by Isabelle Finn-Kelcey
“Autism & ADHD are not corporate inventions. They are lived realities situated in both biology & culture, they are shaped by systems that can harm or heal” ❤️
October 18, 2025 at 8:11 PM
“Autism & ADHD are not corporate inventions. They are lived realities situated in both biology & culture, they are shaped by systems that can harm or heal” ❤️
“Autism & ADHD are not corporate inventions. They are lived realities situated in both biology & culture, they are shaped by systems that can harm or heal” ❤️
October 18, 2025 at 8:11 PM
“Autism & ADHD are not corporate inventions. They are lived realities situated in both biology & culture, they are shaped by systems that can harm or heal” ❤️
How wonderful for @beckyfrancis.bsky.social that she has been supported to devote her time & focus purposefully to her area of interest. Let’s hope there’s room in the new curriculum for CYP to do the same 🤞
#neuro-affirming
#monotropism
#inclusion
#neuro-affirming
#monotropism
#inclusion
After 14 months heading the government’s curriculum review, Becky Francis reflects on control, compromise – and finding the right balance between ‘firebrand’ and ‘technocrat’
schoolsweek.co.uk/i-dream-the-...
schoolsweek.co.uk/i-dream-the-...
‘I dream the curriculum every night’: Becky Francis profile
Becky Francis reflects on control, compromise, and finding the balance between ‘firebrand’ and 'technocrat'
schoolsweek.co.uk
October 17, 2025 at 8:42 AM
How wonderful for @beckyfrancis.bsky.social that she has been supported to devote her time & focus purposefully to her area of interest. Let’s hope there’s room in the new curriculum for CYP to do the same 🤞
#neuro-affirming
#monotropism
#inclusion
#neuro-affirming
#monotropism
#inclusion
1000+ episodes on history, philosophy, science, culture & religion
Absolutely outstanding ✨
Absolutely outstanding ✨
We are awarding our President's Medal to 'In Our Time' as it has done so much to showcase humanities & social sciences. We'd decided this before the news of Melvyn Bragg stepping down, but glad we got our timing right & had a chance to celebrate with him!
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/renowne...
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/renowne...
Renowned BBC Radio 4 programme In Our Time receives prestigious British Academy President’s Medal for 2025
The British Academy has awarded its prestigious President’s Medal to the long-running and beloved BBC Radio 4 programme In Our Time. Recognising its outstanding contribution to humanities and social s...
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk
October 17, 2025 at 8:29 AM
1000+ episodes on history, philosophy, science, culture & religion
Absolutely outstanding ✨
Absolutely outstanding ✨
Reposted by Isabelle Finn-Kelcey
🧵Thread: Oh dear… now, I am picking up signs of what I feared would come- incoherence of policy and practice, with a scattergun approach to doing stuff…
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Lack of special schools in DfE hubs ‘is an act of self-harm’
Sector leaders voice concerns that the government’s first wave of behaviour and attendance hubs includes only mainstream settings
www.tes.com
October 17, 2025 at 8:22 AM
🧵Thread: Oh dear… now, I am picking up signs of what I feared would come- incoherence of policy and practice, with a scattergun approach to doing stuff…
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Isabelle Finn-Kelcey
Updated page full of resources, research, blogs, books, videos and more related to monotropism:
autisticrealms.com/monotropism/
autisticrealms.com/monotropism/
Monotropism Resources and Signposting | Autistic Realms
Monotropism&Being Monotropic The theory of Monotropism was developed by Dr Dinah Murray, Wenn Lawson and Mike Lesser (2005) in the late 1990's and ...
autisticrealms.com
October 16, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Updated page full of resources, research, blogs, books, videos and more related to monotropism:
autisticrealms.com/monotropism/
autisticrealms.com/monotropism/
New:
“many aspects of the educational environment that could promote #Autistic students’ learning are modifiable, including access to safe spaces & sensory supports, explicit teaching practices, predictable classroom routines, & teachers’ openness to listening to & working with individual students”
“many aspects of the educational environment that could promote #Autistic students’ learning are modifiable, including access to safe spaces & sensory supports, explicit teaching practices, predictable classroom routines, & teachers’ openness to listening to & working with individual students”
Autistics (age 4-18) on their experiences in school journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/... "feeling insufficiently challenged was reported by our participants across both mainstream and specialist settings alike. This finding may be driven by the presumption of limited competence held by schools..."
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
journals.sagepub.com
October 16, 2025 at 10:34 AM
New:
“many aspects of the educational environment that could promote #Autistic students’ learning are modifiable, including access to safe spaces & sensory supports, explicit teaching practices, predictable classroom routines, & teachers’ openness to listening to & working with individual students”
“many aspects of the educational environment that could promote #Autistic students’ learning are modifiable, including access to safe spaces & sensory supports, explicit teaching practices, predictable classroom routines, & teachers’ openness to listening to & working with individual students”
Reposted by Isabelle Finn-Kelcey
"Fergus Murray’s Growing Up With Monotropism & Weird Pride is a crucial part of the brand-new autistic non-fiction anthology Someone Like Me. @fergus.oolong.co.uk's chapter is part technical primer, part auto-ethnography—& wholly moving." Eli Eggers, at TPGA:
thinkingautismguide.com/2025/10/let-...
thinkingautismguide.com/2025/10/let-...
October 15, 2025 at 11:21 PM
"Fergus Murray’s Growing Up With Monotropism & Weird Pride is a crucial part of the brand-new autistic non-fiction anthology Someone Like Me. @fergus.oolong.co.uk's chapter is part technical primer, part auto-ethnography—& wholly moving." Eli Eggers, at TPGA:
thinkingautismguide.com/2025/10/let-...
thinkingautismguide.com/2025/10/let-...
Reposted by Isabelle Finn-Kelcey
Can anyone who has the ear of government please tell them that you don't improve things by setting ever higher targets? Sigh.
The government will set a new national 'ambition' for 90 per cent of pupils to reach the expected standard in phonics, Bridget Phillipson will reveal today
schoolsweek.co.uk/national-amb...
schoolsweek.co.uk/national-amb...
Phillipson to reveal phonics check national 'ambition'
The government will set a new “ambition” for 90 per cent of pupils to reach the expected standard in phonics, Bridget Phillipson will reveal tomorrow. The education secretary will also officially…
schoolsweek.co.uk
October 16, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Can anyone who has the ear of government please tell them that you don't improve things by setting ever higher targets? Sigh.
Reposted by Isabelle Finn-Kelcey
"Many Autistic students mask their authentic selves to fit into neurotypical expectations. This leads to increased anxiety, exhaustion, and potential burnout; it can also impact attendance at school." From @autisticrealms.bsky.social:
autisticrealms.com/neuro-affirm...
#autism #neurodiversity
autisticrealms.com/neuro-affirm...
#autism #neurodiversity
Neuro-Affirming Research in Practice: Supporting Autistic Students, Embracing Monotropism In The Classroom And Beyond | Autistic Realms
Written by Tanya Adkin and Helen Edgar, based on the presentation we delivered to the National Autistic Society Professionals’ Conference in March, 2025. Sh ...
autisticrealms.com
October 15, 2025 at 11:48 PM
"Many Autistic students mask their authentic selves to fit into neurotypical expectations. This leads to increased anxiety, exhaustion, and potential burnout; it can also impact attendance at school." From @autisticrealms.bsky.social:
autisticrealms.com/neuro-affirm...
#autism #neurodiversity
autisticrealms.com/neuro-affirm...
#autism #neurodiversity
Joe Hanley at @yorkshirebylines.co.uk - you had me at “Leaning on PISA” ⭐️
yorkshirebylines.co.uk/news/educati...
yorkshirebylines.co.uk/news/educati...
October 14, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Joe Hanley at @yorkshirebylines.co.uk - you had me at “Leaning on PISA” ⭐️
yorkshirebylines.co.uk/news/educati...
yorkshirebylines.co.uk/news/educati...
Reposted by Isabelle Finn-Kelcey
Thanks so much for sharing this - absolutely and OFSTED have this in their new framework. SEND is not a bolt on it should be embedded in whole school practice
October 13, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Thanks so much for sharing this - absolutely and OFSTED have this in their new framework. SEND is not a bolt on it should be embedded in whole school practice
Reposted by Isabelle Finn-Kelcey
I'm not sure #inclusion sits well with sequenced curriculums delivered in a very specific way. I think there are questions about agency, voice and interests for young people in a totally adult led approach. We need to start from where the children are at, surely? Have the freedom to be flexible. ☺️
October 12, 2025 at 8:13 PM
I'm not sure #inclusion sits well with sequenced curriculums delivered in a very specific way. I think there are questions about agency, voice and interests for young people in a totally adult led approach. We need to start from where the children are at, surely? Have the freedom to be flexible. ☺️