Ruth Jacobs

We’d be lying if we said that screens weren't a great distraction for babies and toddlers during those times when you just need 5 minutes, or to quell a meltdown…but what if the thing that calms your toddler down in the moment is the very thing preventing them from learning how to calm themselves down in the future? It’s no secret, but we’re now starting to see some recognition in legislation. The government has recently introduced new guidance on children's screen use, recommending no...

When we think about autism, people often focus on communication or sensory differences, but an area that doesn’t get as much consideration is social imagination. Social imagination is essentially the ability to imagine different possibilities, predict outcomes, or picture life beyond current circumstances. For many autistic young people, particularly those also experiencing mental health difficulties such as eating disorders, self-harm, or anxiety, this can make change feel incredibly scary...

Starting difficult conversations with young people can feel incredibly daunting, especially when the topic is something as sensitive as self-harm, eating difficulties, or emotional distress. It’s completely natural to feel unsure, worried about saying the wrong thing, or even afraid of what you might hear. But these conversations are so important. Avoiding them can leave young people feeling like there isn't anyone safe to talk to, while approaching them with care can open a space for...