No EHCP? How to Get School Support for ADHD & Autism Anyway

Does September feel like starting your advocacy from zero — new year group, new SENCO, maybe a whole new school?In this episode, Diana talks with Natalie Hay qualified teacher, tutor, parent carer of eight years, and author of The Parent Carer about what actually works when you're advocating for a neurodivergent or disabled child at school. They cover reasonable adjustments and why they matter more than a diagnosis label, how to get support in place without an EHCP, what self-representing in court really involves, the free school meals campaign that changed government policy, and why offloading frustration onto AI rather than into an email to a school can change how a school actually responds to you. Whatever stage of the school year you're at, you're not starting from nothing.Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome & introducing Natalie Hay, author of The Parent Carer06:51 – Diana's own EHCP story and the exhaustion of "not struggling enough"13:27 – Why SENCOs don't have as much training as you'd think27:38 – The chronic illness diagnosis nobody quite believes41:19 – The one legal term every parent carer needs: reasonable adjustments53:04 – Offloading anger onto AI before it goes near a school email1:15:38 – Natalie's closing advice: look after yourself firstResources & links mentioned in this episode:Show Guest: Natalie HayThe Parent Carer by Natalie Hay (book): Open Doors Education Ltd — Natalie Hay's tutoring practice: or WhatsApp the admin team on +44 7377 105832Instagram: @natalie_hay_ukFacebook GroupLinkedInShow Host: Diana HayesInstagram:  @dianavhayes  FacebookLinkedInResources Related to the EpisodeNational Autistic SocietyNational Autistic Society — back to school resourcesNational Autistic Society — school transitions guidanceADHD UKADDitude Magazine (US-based, useful practical tools): Back-to-School Guide ADHD School Toolkit & checklists & downloadable guideIPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) — free, legally based SEND adviceSENDIASS — find your local SEND information, advice and support serviceContact — the charity for families with disabled childrenKids Charity, Disabled Children Say We Can — SEND Advice & GuidanceEquality Act 2010 and schools — official guidance on reasonable adjustments: gov.uk PDFUnder the Equality Act 2010, schools must make reasonable adjustments to ensure disabled pupils are not placed at a substantial disadvantage compared to their non-disabled peers.GOV.UK — how to appeal an EHC plan decisionSteve Broach KC — human rights barrister mentioned in the free school meals case