Puberty is a topic that is rarely discussed and when taught at school the feelings and emotions are often not explained in detail. It can be seen as an embarrassing subject for both parents/carers and young people, therefore conversations can be avoided and when young people start puberty they can feel unprepared. Puberty brings a lot of physical changes, especially for girls, including body growth and menstruation. Victoria Ellen joins Dale today for 'Girls on the Spectrum: Autistic experiences...
Feb 02, 2023•1 hr 5 min
Schools are notoriously difficult environments for children with autism to function in, let alone thrive in. We need to support them with understanding, and effective impactful tools to help them to navigate the challenges that they experience in life. Jyoti Jo Manuel joins Dale in today's episode 'Supporting Autism in Schools with Yoga'. Jyoti discusses the value and need for yoga as a therapeutic intervention for children and young people with autism. Having worked with children across the aut...
Jan 26, 2023•47 min
95% of schools have seen an increase in pupil anxiety, which makes anxiety and mental health evermore important topics. We need to support student's well-being so they can get the most out of their learning and fully engage in school life, but it doesn't always require big changes. Our new special guest, Sue White, joins Dale for the first time on the SENDcast to discuss 'How schools can build positive well-being among students'. We process visuals much faster than we process language, so when a...
Jan 19, 2023•44 min
Needing to use sign language can be very isolating for a child and they are often excluded from natural conversation. The use of signing (both BSL and Makaton) has increased in popularity, but are we using this tool to its maximum effect for children with language and communication needs? Sarah Billingham joins Dale in this episode 'Should everyone learn to sign?' and highlights that a great deal of time and emphasis is spent teaching modern foreign languages, but how much time is spent teaching...
Jan 12, 2023•53 min
We're starting the year off with this first episode 'I can't go to school' with Suzy Rowland. It is a long and winding road from late diagnosis and support, unsuccessful placement, social isolation and mental health to school non-attendance. School avoidance is a big issue that intersects education, mental health and disability. The impact is felt widely in the community and can impact young people's life for a considerable time. In this episode we examine the journey of school avoidance and whe...
Jan 05, 2023•1 hr 22 min
In this last episode of 2022, Abigail Hawkins joins Dale to discuss 'What are outcomes and why do they matter?'. Abigail takes us through the 3 types of outcomes: Academic outcomes – exam results – the one mostly talked about, reported on and the ones everyone seems to care most about. Soft outcomes – attendance, behaviour – collected and often used as an excuse for academic data. The one often moaned about. Life outcomes – socialising, food, washing, travel – the most valuable to our most vulne...
Dec 29, 2022•1 hr 12 min
Away in a Manger, Holly & the Ivy, We three kings, Jingle Bells and Silent Night are all traditional Christmas Carols, but have you ever considered the connection they have with SEND? In Part 2 of 'SEND Christmas Crackers', Susie bases her discussion on a range of topics linked to a variety of Christmas carols, connecting fascinating stories to neurodiverse case studies. About Dr Susie Nyman Dr Susie Nyman is passionate about discovering how children learn and supporting them in ways which e...
Dec 22, 2022•1 hr 4 min
A discussion based on neurodiverse learners and strategies to help them cope with the run up to Christmas. Susie talks about strategies and solutions she has discovered whilst working in the classroom setting at The Sixth Form College, Farnborough as well as in Curriculum Support at The Oratory School. It is always useful to have a toolbox of strategies for teachers, parents/carers to use with SEND students in the run up to Christmas, to alleviate the worries and stresses of the festive season. ...
Dec 22, 2022•48 min
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental difference with the key traits of Hyperactivity, Impulsivity and Inattention. Medication can be prescribed to support these traits for both adults and children, but in the UK, historically, medication is often used as the last resort – is that a good or bad thing? In this episode 'Medication for Supporting children with ADHD: Chemical cosh or reset button', Fintan O'Regan joins Dale to discuss the: range of medications available pros and cons of medication possible s...
Dec 15, 2022•56 min
When people are 'triggered' they often enter what's known as fight or flight, their ability to reason and respond pragmatically to situations evaporates and it can feel as if you're left with no way to communicate with them. What they still have is their senses. Knowing about sensory communication can offer you ways of reaching across that seemingly insurmountable divide. But do you know what sensory communication is? Joanna Grace joins Dale in this episode 'Sensory Communication' to explain eve...
Dec 08, 2022•1 hr 16 min
Reading and writing are areas that many teachers and parents are concerned that children need to 'catch up' on due to the pandemic. But what about play? In this week's podcast, Georgina Durrant joins Dale to discuss 'Boosting Reading and Writing Through Play'. Georgina is acutely aware of the impact the pandemic has had on children's emotional wellbeing and time to play with others, so we need to find a way to boost children's literacy skills whilst focusing on nurturing play skills and emotiona...
Dec 01, 2022•1 hr 5 min
Reading is high on the educational agenda due to the impact that it can have upon the mental well-being and academic success of children and young people. Recent documents have placed a renewed focus on the teaching of reading for all learners, this includes those with the most complex needs. The issue for professionals is that there is a lack of clarity about what this means for these learners, in particular those learners attending special schools and specialist facilities. This has led to con...
Nov 24, 2022•57 min
Dyspraxia or Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD) is often thought of as clumsiness, but it is quite misunderstood and incorrectly used. Dyspraxia is far more than just the way you're moving, it's your ability to plan what you're doing and being able to come up with ideas. These executive function difficulties can have a huge impact on children, especially in secondary school. If you don't have the capacity to plan, or have imagination of what that looks like, that can lead to anxiety and ...
Nov 17, 2022•57 min
Whenever there's a big change on the horizon, whether it's moving from nursery to primary school, primary to secondary school or even new clubs, it can cause anxiety. Children with SEND, particularly those with communication needs, can find transition very difficult. Children benefit hugely from predictability. Preparing children for transition helps them to understand what is happening next for them, what to expect and who will be there to help them. Visual resources are a practical and powerfu...
Nov 10, 2022•1 hr 2 min
Yoga has many connotations, but is actually a philosophy, a way of living. Yoga is a therapeutic intervention that works for everyone, you don't have to be able to touch your toes - if you can breathe you can do yoga! Jyoti Jo Manuel joins Dale for today's episode 'What Yoga, Why Yoga?'. Jyoti discusses how yoga can benefit everyone, both teachers and pupils. Its focus is to bring balance and regulation to the nervous system so that everyone practising is in the optimal state to thrive. "Y our b...
Nov 03, 2022•54 min
With 8 weeks to go and preparations underway for Christmas, now's the time to highlight the challenges Christmas can bring for families, especially for children with SEND. Children return to school in September to a new term, new environment, new subjects, new friends and coping with everything causes their energy levels to decrease. After half term it's Halloween, Bonfire Night and then before we know it we're in the Christmas period. By then children have the least possible capacity to deal wi...
Oct 27, 2022•1 hr 41 min
There are various opinions on ways to use the SEN Register and differs from one school to another and across local authorities. SENCOs can end up with multiple registers; SEN Register, additional needs, medical and disability. As soon as a register is created it needs maintaining and updating, therefore increases workload. There is no written rule so everyone has their own interpretation which is part of the problem – so let's get back to basics. Abigail Hawkins joins Dale for the first time on ...
Oct 20, 2022•56 min
Yawning, daydreaming, complaining, fidgeting, distracting others – we've all been there at some point, so let's talk about boredom. Boredom is real to those that feel it and you can't just tell someone to be less bored. In the classroom it's often taken personally, and teachers can respond defensively. Fintan O'Regan joins Dale on this week's podcast 'Why boredom is truly interesting and absolutely vital'. Fintan highlights that without a doubt boredom has been a factor in the development of som...
Oct 13, 2022•59 min
Autism support is given to half the people who need it, and nearly all of it involves teaching people to appear not-autistic i.e. teaching them the skills required to mask autism. Research has shown that masking is damaging to physical and mental health, so we should aim to support everyone and do it in ways that respect their neurotype. Joanna Grace joins Dale for today's episode 'As an Autistic adult what would you change in schools?'. " We obviously can't go back in time and change things, bu...
Oct 06, 2022•1 hr 6 min
Have you ever heard the game 'Operation' played live on a podcast? Well, this week you're in for a treat! Adams Apple, a broken heart, wrenched ankle, butterflies in the stomach are all extracted live. Dr Susie Nyman joins Dale to use the game as a tool to dissect underlying causes for students' behaviour and understand the multitude of emotions that are going on inside. 'Teaching students from the inside out' is a lively discussion of different types of neurodiverse learners and how it is impor...
Sep 29, 2022•1 hr 39 min
SENDCOs are excellently placed to improve teaching and learning in schools. They often know the students' needs incredibly well, know a great deal about SEND and have a clear responsibility for supporting good outcomes. However, SENDCOs can work with greater effectiveness if the strategies and approaches they take are informed by research evidence. In this week's episode Gary Aubin joins Dale to discuss 'High Quality Teaching for SEND'. He takes us through how the EEF has come to its conclusions...
Sep 22, 2022•1 hr 38 min
School applications are fast approaching so here's a podcast to help parents and carers choose the right school for their child. Choosing schools can be an overwhelming and emotional time for parents/carers and they might not be sure what to look for or how to compare the pros and cons of different settings. Sometimes the general information shared at open mornings / on school tours does not feel personalised enough to help them to understand if the school might be able to support their child's ...
Sep 15, 2022•1 hr 13 min
The impact a traumatic event has on a person can be significant and lifelong. The experience is different for each and every person. Alison Knowles joins Dale for today's emotive podcast 'Trauma', which discusses traumatic life events, such as loss, so may be a trigger. We can't change what happened but we can change how we feel about it now. Reliving an event will only take you back to that event time and time again. If we can reframe the emotion that we attach to that event we can stop it hurt...
Sep 08, 2022•1 hr 2 min
Welcome back, hope you had a great Summer and now ready for everything this term brings. The first podcast for this school year starts with 'Let's use technology with students' with Arran Smith. How much tech do you use? It is everywhere in the world, but not in schools. "We still have a 21st century intake of students to a 19th century education system and we haven't really moved on enough." Arran joins Dale to discuss using technology to remove barriers to progress and to help prepare students...
Sep 01, 2022•1 hr 19 min
We are ending the school year with Joanna Grace who joins Dale to discuss Eating the Senses. Eating is such an emotive subject and the difficulties people with sensory differences have around eating cause enormous stress and upset at home and at school. Listen to understand the sensory components of eating and find out how to support children to ensure the sensory experience isn't so overwhelming. About Joanna Grace Joanna Grace is a sensory engagement and inclusion specialist, doctoral research...
Jul 21, 2022•1 hr 6 min
Anxiety levels have increased and learning practical solutions for decreasing anxiety results in happier, healthier children. Mindfulness is a great tool to use in classrooms to do this by pausing, recognising surroundings and bringing everyone into the present moment. In this week's episode Katie White, Embodied Wellness Practitioner, joins Dale to discuss making mindfulness fun. It doesn't have to be complicated and Katie takes us through: - the benefits of mindfulness - how mindfulness doesn'...
Jul 14, 2022•1 hr 25 min
Listening is a fundamental skill to be able to develop language and to access learning in the classroom. There are a number of foundation skills which build a child's ability to listen in the classroom. We spend a lot of time expecting or telling children to listen, but do they actually know what 'listening' is? Sarah Billingham joins Dale in this week's episode to discuss helping children to listen. This podcast is one that everyone can relate to whether it's children not listening to parents o...
Jul 07, 2022•1 hr 15 min
Phonics have been around for years and are successful, BUT they don't work for all pupils, and they aren't the only way to teach reading. Only 75% of children leave KS1 able to read well enough to access KS2 effectively (91% passed the phonic screen by Y2) * The ultimate goal is for children to have a bank of words in their long-term memory that they can read fluently when they see them, and phonics is a part of that journey. If you don't 'get phonics' by the end of year one the chances of phoni...
Jun 30, 2022•1 hr 23 min
Our senses are fascinating. A particularly interesting area to explore is the development of the sensory systems and how this effects cognition, engagement and mental health. Today, Joanna Grace joins Dale for our 100th episode to discuss Sensory Development and Sensory Engagement. Having an understanding of sensory development can help you to connect with those who have profound disabilities. It can be another tool in the tool kit of a sensory detective, working out why a particular sensation b...
Jun 23, 2022•1 hr 4 min
Trigger warning – this podcast discusses self-harm which is a difficult subject, but has never been more important to address. Self-harm is when someone hurts themselves as a way of dealing with very difficult feelings, painful memories or overwhelming situations and experiences. They may feel a short-term sense of release but the cause of the distress is unlikely to have gone away. In this emotive podcast Alison Knowles joins me to discuss 'What drives our youngsters to self-harm'. During the c...
Jun 16, 2022•58 min•Ep. 99
