At Accepting Behaviour, we believe acceptance is not just an idea; it is a practice. This blog page shares what that looks like in real life. From family support to education, we explore how acceptance-based approaches can transform how we support autistic and neurodivergent children. You will find stories of real progress, practical advice, and guidance on all things SEND, written by those working on the ground, every day.
ACCEPTANCE IN PRACTICE
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We Need to Stop Pathologising Children Who Can’t Go to School
Every September, social media is full of children heading back to school. Photos of new uniforms, proud parents, and big smiles. But alongside those posts, I often see messages like: “Thinking of those who can’t go. Thinking of those who tried.” I understand the sentiment. It comes from a place of care. But every time…
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We Are Failing a Generation: Why Acceptance-Based Support Deserves a Seat at the Table.
We are in a crisis. It is not a crisis that headlines often scream about, but it is real and growing. Across the UK, an increasing number of young people are being classified as NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training). These are not just numbers. They are young lives that have been lost to…
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“School Refusal” Is Not What You Think It Is
Why we need to stop blaming parents, pathologising children, and misunderstanding the real issue. We need to retire the term “school refusal.” It is misleading. And it is harming children and families. If you are supporting a young person who is struggling to attend school, you have probably heard the phrase. It rolls easily off…
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The Hidden World of Behaviourism in Schools: Why It’s Time for a New Approach
The Hidden World of Behaviourism: Why Our Support for Autistic Children Needs to Change This blog explores the psychological legacy of behaviourism and the real-life impact this can have on children, particularly autistic children. It includes reflections on outdated practices and the emotional cost of reward-and-punishment systems that are still prevalent in modern schools. When…
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“Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them.” – Albert Einstein
When I first came across that quote, I did not understand it. I had spent most of my life thinking that I needed to believe the opposite: that limits were things I needed to overcome, anxiety was a weakness, and I just needed to fix myself. Throughout my teens and into my twenties, I carried…
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Low Demand, High Impact: The Case for Acceptance-Based Support in 2025
Revisiting the Work of Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow The education system is failing a growing group of students, autistic students, especially those struggling under the weight of modern demands. Traditional behaviour-based approaches, rigid expectations, and deficit-driven models aren’t working. And the harder schools push, the more these students retreat, burn out, or shut down…
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Lets stop Saying They Just Need to Learn to Cope
Why Acceptance, Not Pressure, Builds Real Strength. We often hear it lately: “We’re raising mentally weak kids because we do too much for them.” Or: “They need to face problems to build resilience.” This might work for some children. Children who can tolerate stress. Those who feel safe and confident enough to face and push…
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Coming Back to Life: Why Acceptance-Based Support Matters.
I want to tell you about Jack and Josh. They are two autistic twins who presented with one of the most complex selective mutism cases I have ever supported. When we first started supporting them for most of their lives, they only spoke to one person, their mum. They never attended school because their anxiety…
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Why I Believe in Emotional Regulation, Not Emotional Resilience for Autistic Children
By Aaron Yorke Today, there is a focus on teaching autistic children to face their issues. They are expected to attend school when they are too anxious and are placed in social situations to improve their social skills. Even the Education Secretary , emphasised the need for children to develop more “grit” to prepare them…
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What If We’ve Got It the Wrong Way Round?
Why Removing Pressure to do a GCSE Can Help Autistic Children Thrive By Aaron Yorke. I want to talk honestly about something that too often gets misunderstood: the idea that achieving top GCSE grades is the only route to success. For many autistic children, especially those who are highly capable, this belief creates anxiety, perfectionism,…
