PGDiploma news!

Last month I received the mail saying I had successfully completed my Post Graduate Diploma in Autism and Neurodiversity.

This email came with mixed feelings as I gained the diploma by default due to the early exit of my MSc in Autism and Neurodiversity.

I was in my last module of the MSc, the research module, which is a subject I particularly love (in part due to the enthusiasm for research passed on to me by an under-grad tutor of mine) so it was a hard time for me to leave.

But do you know what, even though I haven't completed the MSc (there's always time in the future) I am so utterly proud of myself for completing the PGdip…

I have gained so much from this diploma. Not only advanced knowledge in autism, but also in-depth knowledge in a range of neurodiversity such as ADHD, SPLD, learning disabilities, coordination differences and neurodiversity of the lifespan. I have studied alongside many other neurodivergent learners and from very knowledgeable tutors. I have no doubt that all this additional knowledge will benefit much of my current and future client work.

But it's not been easy, whilst I have been studying there have been so many life challenges and changes; from my father having heart surgery, to moving house, losing my main work contract due to funding and finally taking on the epic challenge of home educating our youngest after years of trying to fit into mainstream education…along with general life which never fails to have a curveball waiting just around the corner!

The lesson I have taken from this is it takes strength and courage to say “I can't take all this on right now” or “I need to take some time out”.

It isn't a failure. In fact some of my work was requested by the university to be used as a good essay example!

And I am not a failure for having the strength to take action when I felt I was drowning.

We all live in a world where pushing ourselves to the edge is seen as success.

But the real success is being able to focus on the things that are important to us; our nearest and dearest, ourselves, and we should celebrate those who are able to find the space and strength to say when they have reached their ‘enough’ and seek ways to change so they can live a happier, calmer, less demanding life.