Lynn McCann is the senior specialist teacher and Director of Reachout ASC. She is a specialist in Autism, ADHD and PDA and has written 5 books, a number of chapters in books, magazine articles and podcasts about teaching neurodivergent young people.
“My journey into this work started out in primary education and as a SENCO. I then worked in an autism specialist school for 8 years and whilst there set up their outreach service. In 2014 I started Reachout ASC as a response to the great need I saw for specialist autism support in mainstream schools, and now there is a team of brilliant specialist teachers working with me. I have developed specialist knowledge in ADHD and PDA over these years to the point that I am regularly asked to deliver training across the whole UK. The project we did about the missing Autistic and ADHD girls a few years ago, showed me that I was one of those missing girls. I got my ADHD diagnosis in 2021.
The best part of this job is getting to know the children and young people I support in many different settings. Seeing them be understood and supported, building that relationship with them and making their voice heard is the thing I’ve always enjoyed about this job. Walking the walk with teachers and SENCOs is great, as is creating great resources for our work. “
“I met Lynn at high school and she was a great help with my difficulties. She would writer things down on a big piece of paper which helped. I use to go to Ausome group on a Wednesday where I built Lego and played games and chatted with others. When I started College it was overwhelming and Lynn helped get things in place. She lent me a book about setting up my own business and now I run my own gardening business.”
“Lynn and her amazing team have been an invaluable part of my son’s journey. She began working with him in high school, helping put practical supports in place that made school more bearable, manageable, and accessible. Lynn helped build his confidence and self-worth, always taking a genuine interest in him and his unique hobbies and passions.
Her reports for his EHC assessment were thorough and insightful, and the Ausome group she introduced him to provided a safe, nurturing space where he could be himself among peers—while also giving me some much-needed respite.
Lynn played a pivotal role in his transition to college, arranging meetings and empowering me to use my voice in advocating for what he truly needed. Thanks to her guidance, he was moved to a course far better suited to his learning style.
I especially appreciated how Lynn worked with both me and my son using visual mapping—perfect for us as visual learners—and how she consistently highlighted his many strengths and qualities. Thanks to Lynn’s incredible support, my son has now been able to set up his own gardening business—and he’s truly thriving.
Thank you, Lynn, for everything. xx“
‘At Padiham St Leonard’s Primary, we have benefitted from the support and advice of ReachOut ASC for over ten years. During this time, Lynn’s expertise has been invaluable. Her training sessions and are always informative and her passion inspires staff to continue to develop their practice to ensure that all pupils are included and able to reach their potential. Her sessions for parents have helped them by ensuring that they feel less isolated as well as offering tips and advice on how to best support their child.
Lynn has supported staff through observing specific children and identifying the provision which will enable them to thrive. Her reports are detailed and thorough. The links to resources support teachers in meeting the needs of the pupils and include resources specific to the child, for example personalised social stories.
Lynn’s advice has built staff expertise and developed our confidence in ensuring that both our mainstream curriculum and the semi-formal and formal curriculum in our SEND units are ambitious whilst building on children’s strengths.’