{"alias":"storyCaseStudy","byline":"","standfirst":"Edgar\u2019s a Squirrel Scout in Aylesbury. He loves the weekly activities and finds Squirrels a lot of fun. He\u2019s also on the pathway to assessment for ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) and autism. We spoke to Edgar\u2019s mum to find out more.","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/g2idirxd/edgar.jpg","width":2736,"height":3648,"altText":"Edgar has brown hair and is sat on a bed with blue bedding. He\u0027s looking to the right. He is in a Squirrel uniform and purple necker. He is smiling and wearing sunglasses. There\u0027s lots of awards and frames on the wall behind him.","caption":"Edgar in his Squirrel\u0027s uniform","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW70197878 BCX4\u0022\u003EAt school, he has an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) to help support him. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW70197878 BCX4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW8791064 BCX8\u0022\u003EAt Squirrels, the volunteers\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW8791064 BCX8\u0022\u003Eunderstand Edgar\u2019s needs and adapt each session, so he\u2019s fully included and can always join in.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW70197878 BCX4\u0022\u003E\u2018Edgar\u2019s very happy at Squirrels and always looks forward to seeing his friends and having fun,\u2019 Edgar\u2019s mum tells us, \u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW70197878 BCX4\u0022\u003E\u2018Two of Edgar\u2019s classmates were already in Squirrels, so I asked their parents a few questions before applying. I wanted to make sure it was a good fit for Edgar.\u2019\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW55936715 BCX4\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW55936715 BCX4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW55936715 BCX4\u0022\u003EWhen Edgar first joined Scouts, his mum had a chat with the volunteers to tell them about Edgar\u2019s strengths and what he might find challenging. They were very welcoming and happy for Edgar\u2019s mum to stay with him for the first few sessions if needed too. \u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW55936715 BCX4\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW55936715 BCX4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun CommentStart SCXW55936715 BCX4\u0022\u003EThey worked together to make sure Edgar could join in, meaning Edgar\u2019s mum can be confident that he is supported and happy while at Squirrels.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW55936715 BCX4\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW55936715 BCX4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW55936715 BCX4\u0022\u003E\u2018The fact that Edgar is treated the same as the other Squirrels helps him to not to feel different,\u2019 explains Edgar\u2019s mum. \u2018However, we work together to make small adjustments when needed. For example, during today\u2019s craft activity, Edgar was able to complete it on his own, as he can find sharing difficult \u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun CommentStart SCXW55936715 BCX4\u0022\u003Eat times\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW55936715 BCX4\u0022\u003E.\u2019\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW9926237 BCX4\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW9926237 BCX4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun CommentStart SCXW9926237 BCX4\u0022\u003EEdgar recently took part in his first Squirrels trip to the RAF Museum in London. His mum had a chat with the volunteers about the trip, as she wanted to make sure it wasn\u2019t too overwhelming or overstimulating for him. Edgar didn\u2019t want to travel on the bus, so his mum was able to drive him and arrive a bit later, making it a shorter day.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW9926237 BCX4\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW9926237 BCX4\u0022\u003EEdgar has been enjoying his time with Scouts. He loves being with his school friends and collecting badges!\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW9926237 BCX4\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW9926237 BCX4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun CommentStart SCXW9926237 BCX4\u0022\u003EHe also knows he can ask for support from his volunteers. He says: \u2018W\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW9926237 BCX4\u0022\u003Ehen it\u2019s too loud for me, the leaders will ask Squirrels to be quiet. Hands on the top, everybody stop!\u2019\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW9926237 BCX4\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW9926237 BCX4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW9926237 BCX4\u0022\u003EHis mum adds: \u2018A big thank you to our volunteers at Squirrels for giving Edgar the opportunity to learn new skills. I hope our story encourages more parents and carers with neurodivergent children to give it a go!\u2019\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW9926237 BCX4\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW9926237 BCX4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW9926237 BCX4\u0022\u003EAt Scouts, we always encourage parents, carers and volunteers to have a chat when a young person joins a Section. This helps everyone understand how to best support them. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW9926237 BCX4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW9926237 BCX4\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s a good opportunity discuss any adjustments that might be needed to make sure young people feel included and can enjoy their time at Scouts, just like Edgar!\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":" Learn more about making reasonable adjustments.","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW212838389 BCX4\u0022\u003EEveryone can easily be included in Scouts by making small adjustments to the environment, the activities and the programme. It\u2019s best to always listen to the young person and their parents or carers when making reasonable adjustments and be led by them.\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#ffb4e5","title":"Making reasonable adjustments in Scouts","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"Find out more about adjusting badges and awards.\u00A0","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW77764619 BCX4\u0022\u003EIn Scouts, every young person should have a similar challenge. You can adapt the activities, badges and awards to fit each person\u2019s needs and make sure the challenge is right for them.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"Making changes to activities, badges and awards","id":null,"url":"/volunteers/equity-diversity-and-inclusion/including-disabled-and-neurodivergent-people/making-reasonable-adjustments/making-changes-to-activities-badges-and-awards/","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":"#006ddf","title":"Adapting the Scouts programme and badges\u00A0","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"06 May 2025","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[{"caption":"","title":"National Autistic Society resources","url":"https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/autism-know-how/autism-accreditation/autism-friendly-award/guides-and-resources","newWindow":false}],"relatedLinks":[{"caption":"","title":"How to make special occasions and events autism friendly","url":"/news/2022/november/how-to-make-special-occasions-and-events-autism-friendly/","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"Planning individual support in Scouts","url":"/volunteers/equity-diversity-and-inclusion/including-disabled-and-neurodivergent-people/planning-individual-support/","newWindow":true}],"id":85752,"nodeName":"Edgar\u2019s story: Simple supports for neurodivergent Scouts","title":"Edgar\u2019s Story: Simple supports for neurodivergent Scouts","type":"storyCaseStudy","image":{"url":"/media/g2idirxd/edgar.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1dbbe926d786130","caption":"Edgar","type":"jpg","size":6147866,"width":2736,"height":3648,"altText":""},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Edgar\u2019s Story: Simple supports for neurodivergent Scouts","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"With some reasonable adjustments and lots of fun, Edgar thrives at Squirrels. Find out more about his story.","browserTitle":"Edgar\u2019s story: Simple supports for neurodivergent Scouts","silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC84NTc1MiJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2025/may/edgar-s-story-simple-supports-for-neurodivergent-scouts/"}