Neurodiversity

Writing and resources exploring neurodiversity, autism, and inclusive approaches to learning from educator Kate Coldrick.

School Anxiety and Autistic Children: Rethinking Where the Problem Lies

~ katecoldrick

A new systematic review suggests that school anxiety in autistic children is shaped not only by individual experience but by school environments, expectations, and a lack of belonging. A newly published systematic review on school anxiety in autistic children and young people is one of those papers whose argument is more important than its title … Continue reading School Anxiety and Autistic Children: Rethinking Where the Problem Lies

A New Resource: Understanding the Phonics Policy in England

~ katecoldrick

Over the past decade, the phonics policy in England has reshaped how reading is taught in primary schools. Systematic synthetic phonics is now the central approach used in early literacy instruction, and the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check has become a familiar feature of the education landscape. At the same time, discussion about phonics policy … Continue reading A New Resource: Understanding the Phonics Policy in England

Now Listed in the National Autistic Society Autism Services Directory

~ katecoldrick

I’m very pleased to share that I am now listed in the National Autistic Society Autism Services Directory as a specialist literacy tutor for autistic and neurodivergent learners. You can view my full profile in the National Autistic Society Autism Services Directory. The National Autistic Society directory is a trusted national resource used by families, … Continue reading Now Listed in the National Autistic Society Autism Services Directory

Supporting Autistic Girls in the Classroom – Published in Teaching Times

~ katecoldrick

I’m pleased to share that my latest article, Supporting Autistic Girls: Practical Strategies for Inclusive Teaching, has been published in Teaching Times. The article explores a pattern that many teachers recognise but don’t always name: the quiet, compliant girl who appears to cope, yet may be working harder than anyone else in the room simply … Continue reading Supporting Autistic Girls in the Classroom – Published in Teaching Times

Teaching GCSE Descriptive Writing for Autistic and Neurodivergent Students: Why Structure Matters

~ katecoldrick

Descriptive writing at GCSE English Language is often framed as a creative task. Students are encouraged to “paint a picture with words”, “engage the reader”, and “use imaginative language”. Yet for many learners, the difficulty is not a lack of imagination – it is knowing how to organise their ideas, where to begin, and how … Continue reading Teaching GCSE Descriptive Writing for Autistic and Neurodivergent Students: Why Structure Matters

A Functional Skills Workbook in Two Formats: Why Choice Matters for Learners

~ katecoldrick

I’m pleased to share that my workbook, Kate Coldrick’s Guide to Functional Skills Level 1 Writing, is now available on Amazon in two formats: as a Kindle eBook and as a paperback. Although the content of the book is the same in both versions, offering it in different formats is a deliberate and pedagogical choice. … Continue reading A Functional Skills Workbook in Two Formats: Why Choice Matters for Learners

Revoicing a Story: A Creative Writing Activity for Literacy Learning

~ katecoldrick

Literacy tutor Kate Coldrick shares a KS3/GCSE creative writing activity based on her poems Red Riding Hood Speaks and Morgan Speaks (OnTheSkyline.com). Explore how paired-line revoicing poems reveal bias, perspective, and voice – and why this structure especially supports autistic learners. Full resource available in her TES shop. When I write for OnTheSkyline.com, I often … Continue reading Revoicing a Story: A Creative Writing Activity for Literacy Learning