Families raising children with brain conditions now have a new source of support and guidance: The Calm in the Complicated, a six episode video podcast from UK charity Cerebra. Hosted by Dr Carrie Grant MBE, broadcaster, author and neurodiversity advocate, and Dr Samantha Flynn, a University of Warwick researcher specialising in autism and learning disabilities, […]
The Calm in the Complicated: A Powerful New Podcast Read More »
Happy World Book Day! At Cerebra, we appreciate that not every child with a brain condition can interact with hard copy books easily. So we have some children’s favourite audiobooks available to borrow from our online BorrowBox library. You can borrow one audiobook at a time, free of charge for a month at a time.
World Book Day 2026 Read More »
Cerebra has issued an initial response to the Government’s proposed SEND reforms, focusing on the rights of disabled children, the desire to push disabled children to mainstream schools and the reduction of powers of the SEND Tribunal. Cerebra is very concerned about the likely increase in Systems Generated Trauma. Background For many reasons, families of
Cerebra response to the Government’s ‘School’s White Paper and SEND Reform’ proposals Read More »
I write this in support of the Systems Generated Trauma report. My experience of system generated trauma comes from a parental perspective, and as being a mother of a disabled child. My son was diagnosed with autism in his teenage years, however, prior to this and throughout his childhood, he had multiple difficulties that led
Navigating a complex system with complex needs Read More »
My severally autistic son was sectioned under the mental health act. Where he suffered mechanical, chemical and physical abuse. We experienced severe anxiety and lack of sleep. What could have been done differently by the public body? Wish we were believed and heard. Wish that the system could acknowledge the damage they caused. Advice I
I saw a request on Contact’s Facebook page for stories from families who have experienced Systems Generated Trauma and wanted to get in touch. I hadn’t heard of it before so I’m not sure if our story is what you are looking for. I’m getting emotional just writing this email. I find any mention of
I have two children, and my eldest child Lois is 10. Lois has a range of complex needs including autism, learning disability, extremely challenging behaviour and a number of health conditions. Lois is my joy. Having a disabled child is not the traumatic part. The trauma is seeking (or trying to seek) support from education,
The whole process is one of surveillance and scrutiny, not recognition or empathy Read More »
My son was traumatised by being placed in a hospital miles away from his home for 19 months from 2010 to 2012. Getting him discharged to a suitable quiet group care home nearby was difficult. I had help from a solicitor in the process. CBF helped with safeguarding for Emmanuel as he was attacked in
Traumatised in a hospital miles away from home Read More »
The ‘Three Strikes’ Rule Parents of children with brain conditions develop an exceptional awareness of their child’s baseline. Small changes can be significant, and knowing when “something isn’t right” becomes second nature. Yet, raising concerns within a healthcare system that can be fragmented or overly focused on existing diagnoses can be challenging, especially when a
The ‘Three Strikes’ Rule: How New NHS Guidance will Affect Families Read More »
Over the next three and a half years, Cerebra will support the next phase of this vital work. Led by experts Dr Jane Waite (Aston University), Prof Caroline Richards (University of Birmingham), Dr Jo Moss (University of Surrey), and Dr Hayley Crawford (University of Warwick), the Cerebra Network is a pioneering collaborative initiative, focusing on
The Cerebra Network: Funding the next phase (2025–2029) Read More »