Suzy’s Testimonials

S.E.N.D in the Clowns by Suzy Rowland

Verdict: A practical yet personal guide, with a philosophical edge…

Suzy Rowland shares her experience as a parent to an autistic son and his journey through the education system. There is a real warmth to Rowland’s writing, as she offers practical yet personal advice to fellow autism parents and professionals. An Autism and ADHD Specialist Trainer herself, Rowland sprinkles ideas, activities and helpful mantras for parents throughout the text. The book includes brief summaries of autism and related conditions.

Rowland also looks at the connection between race and autism and some of the barriers she has faced in accessing support for her child, as a young mum of black Caribbean heritage. She discusses how black children in particular are often more likely to be excluded from schools in the UK than their white peers.

Throughout the book, the author explores language used to describe autism and neurodiversity in general. She tells us that ‘language holds the key to understanding and self-determination’, and explains how we can use language to challenge autism stereotypes, rather than enforcing them.

S.E.N.D in the Clowns is a really accessible and engaging read. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone with a connection to autism, and anyone with an interest in neurodiversity.

Songs of My Soul:

How wonderful your poems are, hidden meaning and depth beneath everyone of them, and knowing you as I do they reflect the very essence of who you are.

Delighted to hear that your book is being so well received, it deserves to be. I do love the title. It’s a book that needs to be on the shelf in our schools, and in our libraries.  

A reassuring and informative read for families of all cultures. The mantras at the end of each chapter are a lovely personal touch.  I would highly recommend.

Suzy writes with a gentle lyricism about the challenging issues of inclusion and race. In the process, she advocates not just for her own child, but for all children with SEND. A must read. 

Suzy is an inspirational ray of light, a fiercely intelligent woman with a heart of hold. I urge every professional and any parent of an autistic child to read this book, as I know how much they can learn from your journey.

I receive my and I’m reading. Thanks, Suzy, for your lovely. Book. Because I use some idea from in and how I could talk to school and I feel confident to talk, It is good book parents.

A book full of stories, ideas, practical suggestions, solid information, lessons learned, 10-point lists, questions to consider, exercises, knowledge, experience, empathy and kindness. It’s also a joy to read. Congratulations Suzy – not just for families, every SCHOOL needs this too. It’s sooo good!

Sometimes in life, people come along to inspire others, and you’re one of those people. Thank you so much for featuring me in your book, and I can see where you’re going with your career and your inspiration. And also your creative mind and your understanding of autism, and sometimes it needs people to understand others, and autism isn’t something that you can understand easily. It takes a very special person to understand that, and that’s what you are Suzy. God Bless, I wish you all the best in the future, and I know you’re going to be very successful, because you have a determined streak of lightening which always strikes gold. God bless, see you soon.

Hard to know what NOT to post from this book.

I agonised so in writing S.E.N.D. it has taken approx. 6 years to complete and I put my heart and soul into every line. X Suzy Rowland

I have the utmost respect for parents whose kids are more subtle in presentation. My kid basically came out waving a flag that reads “I’m autistic” and I still didn’t know ? how you have to deal with the school when they just think they’re “naughty” is beyond me –

Suzy is right there with you from the start of what is a rollercoaster ride for parents professionals and the children dealing with educational needs. It’s open, it’s raw, it’s beautiful.

This book looks INCREDIBLE, for bookselling and also for me and my autistic family.

Getting an EHCP is one of the most stressful processes you can go through as a parent, this book is a great ‘go-to’ for information while you’re fighting the system

As soon as I started reading this book, I felt like you were talking about my youngest son. Raising a lot of important issues that I can’t wait to finish reading thanks.

Dear Suzy, thank you for creating such a valuable helpful hopeful book. My sister-in-law sent it to me just when I had lost all hope from getting help for my adhd/As/ PDa 15-year-old son. Thank you. Fresh and so useful like talking to a knowledgeable best friend and the issues and how I was gaslighted by the Senco for years in my son’s school. Just woken up to it! Thanks again,

Dear Suzy,

I keep meaning to tell you that I bought a copy of your fabulous book and am reading it every evening by torchlight while trying to get the children to sleep!  I’m really enjoying it, and I can hear your voice in it so well. Calm, confident, super-knowledgeable and empathetic.

I’m a Speech and Language Therapist working with families and in schools and found this book not only a joy to read, with it’s conversational style and bullet points for key areas, but so full of empathy. Empathy for kids and parents but also for the teachers who are dealing with so much, despite a woeful lack of information and training on ‘difference’ and how to manage it in classrooms.

Suzy oozes compassion – she’s been through the system with her son and supported countless others through her workshops. This book has everything, stories, exercises, suggestions for how parents can work WITH schools, diagnostic considerations, facts and information about therapies and intervention, what to do after exclusions., emotional wellbeing – it’s a long list. Have already recommended it to two parents and it only arrived this morning. Now to encourage primary SENCOs to buy them for their bookshelves….