As a parent to a 7-year-old son with ADHD and ASD, I have firsthand experience of the devastating impact a lack of appropriate support from mainstream education and local authorities can have on a child's mental health and wellbeing. My son spent almost 18 months out of full-time education - a period marked with severe deterioration in his mental health that saw our 6 year old child telling us he wanted to die and go to heaven. Our family was plunged into deep distress, causing physical ailments and loss of employment - a price no family should have to pay.

This is no isolated case. Thousands of families across the country have neurodivergent children who, like my son, suffer immensely due to the inadequacies of the current educational setup. These flaws are inexcusable and demand immediate attention, including a comprehensive Special Educational Needs and disabilities (SEND) reform.

A SEND reform in mainstream schools would mean a more inclusive environment for all children. It would allow those who need specialist school places to access them, without leaving deserving neurodivergent children behind. Inclusive education isn't just an objective, it's a human right - a truth ratified by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). This could be done easily by introducing breakout rooms, using different teaching techniques, using outdoor education and many other changes that I’m currently working with professionals to identify. 

Furthermore, our current curriculum is alarmingly outdated and lacks the necessary coverage of life skills. It's not just about preparing children for a career; it's about equipping them with the practical knowledge to navigate life successfully. An updated, more balanced curriculum would help all children, neurotypical and neurodivergent alike.

In conclusion, we urge our lawmakers to recognise and act on this heart-wrenching reality. It's time to reform our mainstream education system to provide a more inclusive and compassionate space for children with neurodivergence. Sign this petition today to stand up for these young minds, and help them build a brighter future.