To think there needs to be a public inquiry into child development

I’m currently reading ‘the anxious generation’ and it’s fascinating - covers child development and psychology; basically the research is saying it’s social media and certain interactions with screen based behaviour. I think that coupled with helicopter parenting style that almost everyone has these days and low quality nutrition is causing a myriad of human health problems - both in children like you say and also older people. The declining sperm count is also a huge issue looming in the near future…

There is also evidence that risks of additional needs increase with older mothers and possibly IVF etc. For older children eg secondary age foetal alcohol syndrome is also a big factor.

I agree we need an enquiry but it needs to dare to ask the unaskable questions.

I was just looking at stats per country and United Kingdom do come first in terms of diagnosis of autism per 100,000 population however there is not much between the countries really
and one who is pretty close to ours is Sweden who have a very different education system and lifestyle / government

Actually stand corrected we are not top when we just account for children which is what we are talking about we are actually pretty far down the list and sweden are much higher per children.

OK, but your lived experience doesn't affect mine....it doesn't mean I'm lying just because you don't have the same experiences.

I’m sorry but everyone blaming parents working , mobile phones etc clearly fail to realise Neurodivergence is genetic and genes don’t alter suddenly

I don't know if it is always necessarily anxious parents though. My DS is 7, we live right behind the park and I can subtly supervise him from upstairs windows. I know he would play and return home. I wouldn't dare leave him there though as I'd be worried about being judged/reported to social services by one of his teachers/another parent.

So many perfect people and perfect parents on here. We have money, no trauma, EBF and then organic food, loads of attention, talking, playing etc etc. my DS is still autistic and also has ADHD. My DH was an older dad, maybe that’s where we went ‘wrong’. I used to be judgy and think people said their kids were ND for attention or for benefits. Now I know. The OP clearly doesn’t have an ND child. This type of thread helps no one.

The problem is mobile phones, social media, lack of attention from parents, proper parenting where children are taught manners and respect for others, a lack of personal responsibility for actions made and lack of specialist services and support for those with additional support needs and disabilities.

Most children still are
there will be children for many many reasons that are still in nappies and are judged wrongfully because it’s seen as a taboo when it’s absolutely no one’s fault.
yes is there some parents who don’t put the effort in to train yes
but that is not the case for many

Perhaps some people are not talking enough to their children and so the children are not learning a wide range of vocabulary. Babies learn by watching their parents mouths forming words as well as by listening. How many times have you seen a parent pushing a prom with the baby facing them (an ideal time to talk to the baby ) whilst on the phone or sitting at a table in a cafe with every family member including young children on a screen … or worst of all ( seen the other day ) the children trying to engage with the parents who are both on screens. It’s really sad

And I haven't said otherwise.... just like the teachers in anecdotes all over this thread with only report what they have seen in their classroom. It doesn't make it my experience any less true.... but you carry on....

🤔

Secondary school teacher for 25 years.

Huge decline in behaviour.

My Dd is ND. She had no behavioural problems at school, far to scared to put her head above the parapet.

Personally, I think it's abdication of parental responsibilities. Too many parents don't actually want to, or don't have the ability to "parent" properly, so rely on others to do the "hard work", whether it's the nursery staff, teachers, or wider society picking up the pieces.

Yes, screens are part of it, but that comes back to parents abdicating their responsibilities by putting their child in front of a screen rather than doing things with them, talking to them, teaching them things, etc. Just the easy option really.

It's not new, but each generation seems to get worse. If you've had parents yourself who didn't put much effort into nurturing you and abandoned you to nurseries, child minders, relatives, etc., then you're going to think that's normal and do the same to your kids, probably even more so, and so it perpetuates.

When the kids don't do as they're told, break rules, are aggressive, etc., the parents don't have the ability to punish them - either they don't believe their little darling could be naughty, or they don't respect the teachers, police, etc and argue about punishments, etc.

For balance I also witness much less violence, assault and aggression with today’s children (obviously there are a few incidences) most care and are conscious of how important it is to have wildlife and to take care of the planet/environment .

They are much more self aware too, very noticeable in older children and considerate of other’s feelings. I think this is the impact of parents not smacking or hitting their children as much or at all. Fighting is definitely not acceptable now, and yet it was very very common when I was a child. Children are treated more kindly and this shows.

Yes this. There's FAR too much pressure on teachers and families and children feel everything

I think if parents today allowed their children the degree of freedom that I and my peers were allowed in the 1960s, they'd probably be getting intervention from children's services.

When we were 9 & 10, my group of friends were allowed to take a packed lunch and a drink and get a bus a few miles to go and play all day in a large public open space on the very edge of London, with woodland and open areas. And we played in derelict houses, and in the half built houses close to where I lived when the builders weren't there at weekends. I was allowed to go into central London with friends to visit museums etc when I was 11, travelling by bus, train and tube. One friend had her own copy of the London A-Z.

I just can't imagine any parent letting their kids do that nowadays. It seems as out of date as an Arthur Ransome or Enid Blyton story.

I know a guy who is autistic and failed in school.

Works in retail... has lost most jobs due to sick leave.

I do worry about his future and how he will support him self.

It's a perfect storm really.

Near constant technology in every aspect of life
Parents glued to phones during free time/days out/in restaurants

Both parents working full time

Over explanation of everything instead of expectation
Zero conversation leading to dumbing down and lack of social skills

Finally, the breakdown of any significant discipline and structure across the board.

If child neglect through attention was the reason then the previous generations would be much worse . Let’s be honest our parents where left to ethic own devices since they where young and had no care

Haven't rtft yet (but I will) but I personally think misguided safeguarding is partly to blame. Kids used to be sent out to play where they learn basically every life skill they need and develop a healthy body and mind. Unsupervised outdoor play is the answer. Of course there are certain risks but if you are to look at any other aspect of life the risk is weighed against the good. I recently read a poster state proudly she had never let her 11 year old play outside without her. He is at the end of childhood and has never experienced carefree play. Overprotective and anxious parents are often congratulated as being good parents, when they are in fact failing in their role. Of course there needs to be some reasonable limits but send them out and they'll come home when hungry. (For dinner, not snacks).

Agree.

But also, what parks?

Obviously that's hyperbole, but a lot of public playing spaces are being flattened in favour of housing development.

I don't drive but I've always lived in the same area and 10-20 years ago there were 5 play parks of varying sizes within walking distance. Now we have to get in a car and drive, because there are no direct bus routes either.

There is so little to do in public spaces any more that there isn't even the option to choose going to the park over leaving behind home technology.

Kids in childcare 10 hours a day from 6 months of age.

School kids being in wrap-around care so still out the house for 10 hours.

Shattered, full-time working parents.

Lack of quality family time.

Kids doing 101 out of school activities so they have no time to relax.

Very limited time for outdoor play with friends.

Too much screen time.

Schools/parents unable to discipline the children effectively due to fear of the repercussions. Children know they have the upper hand when it comes to this.

So many reasons….

It all boils down to the Rat Race though and parents being exhausted, stressed and broke.

Also lack of community. Back in the day lots of wonderful adults were involved in raising a child. As people had them younger there were swatches of extended family along with friends and associates. We are all so split now. Little children being raised by employees in nurseries. It’s just not the same. Most of these staff members are young and underpaid. Dragging themselves to work and tolerating the kids. Children need to be nurtured. Feel loved and valued. I’m not convinced that can come from a work environment.

https://hms.harvard.edu/news/autism-evolution

Shite parenting and everybody too scared to upset others. That’s why.