I am drawn to certain people. People who make me feel safe. People who allow me to be ‘more me’, people who may have vocally appreciated you being ‘more you’. Or maybe share how ‘nice’ it is to just be allowed to be them, when we communicate, or spend time together.

I forget to reply to messages, or I may reply but not click send.

If you ever get a birthday card from me, then you are one of the rare ones.

But I will always try my best to be there, if you ever needed me.

That is my life.

I was never made to feel ‘too much’ by my parents, but lots (and lots) of other people find me, my energy or my sparkle - a lot!

I am a teacher and I see they same behaviour, from most other people, treating children, who I call Sparkly Children like they are ‘too much’- I have always called my brain ‘sparkly’. I can not think of a better description.

Everyone has some sparkle, but Sparkly People are naturally full of ever growing sparkle.

In my experience, children with Sparkly minds usually have the most fantastic ideas, or are super creative, often oozing with positive energy.

It is contagious, and beautiful.

You can literally see a sparkly idea growing in their sparkly mind - until it explodes out of their mouth.

The look in their eyes following this, makes me feel sad.

The look of shame, disappointment in themselves.

Fully aware that this now means a sanction.

I have been a teacher for nearly 20 years.

Sparkly children are a gift to my classroom.

All of them, even the ones who are not supposed to be in my class (I adopt quite a few to my class during the year).

Their energy is misunderstood by so many people.

Sparkly People have powerful minds.

No ‘wrong’ brains, just wrong spaces.

Sparkly children should feel accepted, like they belong, to feel useful and be guided to thrive.

Over the years, the number of children coming to my classroom to tell me about their diagnosis (old and new) has grown significantly, or stopped me in the corridor. Lots of these children I do not even teach!

Some seem fed up, some lost - some super cheery and bouncy - “mum said the whole family probably have it”.

They all have a look on their face, that does now belong on a child.

They all have a weight on their shoulders that does not belong to them.