Sarah Wild, the head of Limpsfield Grange School, the UK’s only state-funded school for autistic girls located in Oxted, Surrey, has raised concerns about the trend of over-accommodating autistic pupils. She argues that while measures like ear defenders and exemptions from school uniforms are well-intentioned, they may ultimately hinder students' preparation for adulthood, where such accommodations are less likely to exist. Wild highlights that teachers should encourage students to face uncomfortable situations, stating, 'When you are an adult, you are going to face challenges, and sometimes that's going to be hard.' This perspective comes amid rising special needs spending in the UK, driven by an increase in autism and ADHD diagnoses. The government is reforming the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system, which has seen the number of children receiving Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) double since 2014. Wild emphasizes the need for a shift in how success is measured for autistic students, advocating for a curriculum that focuses on wellbeing, communication, and independence, rather than solely on academic achievement.