SEND In the Clowns

Tranquillity Sought

SEND In the Clowns

by Suzy Rigg

Review by Heather Moulson

With its Silver Birch Glade, Fisher’s Pond, King’s River Garden and Willow Plantation, the woodland walk created in 1925 from two Georgian plantations, now much loved as the Waterhouse Woodland Garden, forms a tranquil retreat.   Could then then be a better place to discover a new work focussing on those for whom tranquillity is a luxury, rarely achieved.

Within the garden is the Pheasantry, highly popular as a meeting place for those with young children, so it was very pertinent that this was the venue chosen introduce a book by the prolific writer and poet Suzy Rigg on the subject of autism.

Previously knowing Suzy as a poet, this was a different and interesting turn.  Hence, I was honoured to be invited to the launch her new book SEND In the Clowns on a late summer’s day in the Pheasantry in Bushy Park.   Suzy has taken on issues of autism with children and young adults resulting in this full and informative book.  A work of six years, with fifteen chapters and 341 pages, and is well worth waiting for.

Suzy practises in holistic education, empowerment and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for autistic and ADHD children and teenagers, families and education.  As an acronym, SEND represent Special Educational Needs and Disability, making it a clever title for a book that is well worth celebrating. 

Suzy read a passage from her book, and then explained her philosophy on giving these issues a voice, and to urge more understanding and flexibility with teenagers with autism.  Suzy, who also practises coaching for families, has also qualified to be a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist. 

“Not only a joy to read, but so full of empathy” was a strong endorsement by a speech therapist.  Another endorsement is that her last print run of 200 books had absolutely sold out. 

Her initiative and determination to infuse positivity in families who can feel isolated in this situation, is to be admired. 

Heather Moulson, September 2020

Photography by Mark Rush and Darren Williams, The Royal Parks and Heather Moulson