The SENDcast
Episodes
Positive Psychology (PP) Wellbeing & SEMH with Dr Rob Long
05 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Often, when children are labelled with a 'problem,' they are perceived as different or failing, which can create a cycle of negativity. This can lead ...
Identifying Language Needs in Primary Through Screening
29 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Schools invest in tools to identify and support students with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN). But are these investments paying off? M...
Awesomely Autistic with Tigger Pritchard
22 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Having had several chance encounters at the Autism Shows, we're delighted to finally have Tigger Pritchard as a guest on the podcast! 'Awesomely Autis...
The Magic of 'High Value' Strategies for Pupils with SEND in the Classroom with Angela Scott
15 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Schools often invest in professional development to make classrooms dyslexia, autism or speech language and communication 'friendly'. However, this ca...
Identifying Dyslexia and Why it Matters with Dr Helen Ross
08 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's podcast we delve into the profound mental health effects of dyslexia and the crucial need to address them. Dyslexia not only presents self-...
Getting Your Voice Heard as a SENCO with Ginny Bootman
01 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The SENCO role is unique and crucial, as SENCOs champion the needs of students who require additional support. However, other priorities in schools of...
My Journey With Behaviour with Catrina Lowri
25 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
At present, challenging behaviour in school is off the scale and largely this is due to unmet needs. You can't 'punish or reward the neurodivergent' o...
Living with Dyscalculia with Peter Cherry and Cat Eadle
18 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For many of us, everyday tasks such as entering our PIN numbers, not exceeding the speed limit, food shopping or telling the time we take for granted....
Effective Use of Visuals to Aid Communication with Kerry Thalia
11 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Children are not making as much progress communicating as they could be and are losing out on their ability to gain independence and autonomy. The fai...
Looking and Trusting Inside Rather Than Looking For Solutions Externally with Alison Knowles
04 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We have become victims to the "norm" and we doubt our self-worth based on external benchmarks such as houses, cars, grades, clothes. Parenting is arou...
Zones of Regulation with Kim Griffin
27 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to zones of regulation, often they're not fully understood or correctly used in schools with the assumption that they are good or bad. K...
School Attendance with Suzy Rowland, Fintan O'Regan and Sarah-Jane Critchley
20 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are celebrating the release of our 200th episode of the podcast! To mark this special occasion, we have invited some of our past guests back ...
Person-Centred Approaches: Clarity or Confusion? with Angela Scott
13 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Children's Act 2014 and SEND Code of Practice (2015) placed great emphasis on the use of person-centred approaches. The concept was embraced but w...
Morphology with Louise Selby
06 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone knows about phonics/phonology as it's high on the national agenda for intervention currently, but it doesn't always work. A lot of SENCOs, es...
Whole Life Mental Health Meanderings with Dr Helen Ross
30 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Helen Ross, dyslexia expert and consultant, joined Dale this week in what they had planned to be a discussion on dyslexia and mental health. Howev...
Working with Parents with Lynn How
23 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As you know, SENCOs play a crucial role in supporting students with special educational needs, and they often find themselves in the firing line when ...
Your Senses and Your Mental Health with Joanna Grace
16 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know that there is a profound connection between our senses and mental health? Our senses can heighten the more stress we're under, but they c...
What is an OT? with Kim Griffin
09 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We've all heard of Occupational Therapists – but do we truly understand the breadth and depth of their role? Kim Griffin has been an OT for over 20 ...
Parenting foster/adopted children with Alison Knowles
02 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Let's begin by acknowledging a fundamental truth: there are no bad children. Each child exhibits behaviours as a means of survival within their unique...
A Profound Separation with Joanna Grace
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Recently a new term has emerged 'profound autism', which refers to autistic individuals who have intellectual disabilities and require round-the-clock...
The National SEND Picture with Simon Tanner
18 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to the national SEND landscape, it's crucial to gain a comprehensive understanding of what is happening across the country. Different sc...
Controller, Friend or Benevolent Dictator with Fintan O'Regan
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The impact of a teacher's style and approach can be profound, especially when it comes to students with special educational needs (SEN) and behaviour ...
GIRL UNMASKED – Autistic Masking, School and Mental Health with Emily Katy
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
School can often be a traumatic experience for autistic children and young people. Unfortunately, many individuals, particularly girls, go undiagnosed...
Standardised Approach to Exams with Dr Susie Nyman
28 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Exams can be a daunting experience for students as they face the pressure to perform well and the associated stress. Many students may feel unprepa...
Strengthening the SENCO-Headteacher Partnership
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
SENCOs face lots of challenges in their role, one significant one being many headteachers' lack of understanding of the role. Traditionally, becoming ...
Sensory Strategies with Kim Griffin
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
From birth, we possess certain innate senses, such as touch, while others, like vision and balance, continue to develop throughout childhood and beyon...
How exercise is different for children with SEND and why it matters with Miriam Saffer
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There is a lot of talk about the need for reasonable adjustments and targeted support for those with SEND when it comes to school, but far less about ...
Supporting PDA with Clare Truman
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A few months ago, we had an insightful episode where Clare Truman introduced and explained PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance). Today, Clare has retur...
Being Human – a journey to #FlipTheNarrative with Elly Chapple
22 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We wanted to bring your attention to an important movement called #FlipTheNarrative, which aims to shift our perspective and promote a more inclusive ...
R is for Rosie with Joanna Grace
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
*Please note that this podcast contains very strong and offensive language and discussion that some listeners may find upsetting* Last summer, Rosie J...
Challenging the Pedagogy of Professional Decline with Rachel Lofthouse
08 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When schemes and policies control every aspect of a teacher's week to improve efficiency, it can unintentionally strip away what makes teachers unique...
MAT SEND Leadership with Simon Tanner
01 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you know what is involved in being a MAT (Multi-Academy Trust) SEND leader? To shed light on this role, our special guest, Simon Tanner, joins Dale...
Making Gaming More Accessible with Nomi Gallagher
25 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For children and adults with physical disabilities, the inability to fully participate and engage with their peers can be a significant challenge. How...
The Dyslexia Show 2024 with Arran Smith
23 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We are delighted to welcome Arran Smith, Event Director and Founder, on The SENDcast. Arran joins Dale for this special episode highlighting what's on...
Conduct Disorder with Fintan O'Regan
18 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why is it that so little is known or mentioned about Conduct Disorder especially as terms such as ADHD and ODD are pretty much established in schools ...
Arousal and Self-Regulation with Kim Griffin
11 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Factors such as hunger, fatigue, illness, excitement, or nervousness can all influence a child's state of arousal in a classroom and can significantly...
Long Term Effects of Lockdown on Neurodivergent Students with Miriam Saffer
04 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
About Miriam Saffer Miriam is the founder of Illuminate Inclusion, an organisation that provides a range of services for families, professionals and c...
The Best of SENDcast 2023
28 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As we approach the end of 2023, Dale wanted to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we've had this year on the SENDcast. For the final p...
Multi-sensory Stories with Dr Susie Nyman
21 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you haven't experienced walking through the woods, then how are you supposed to write a descriptive story about it? We have these experiences to dr...
Dyslexia and Mental Health with Dr Helen Ross
14 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When was the last time you used a pen? Maybe when completing a form, or writing some Christmas cards, but we certainly don't have pen pals anymore! Ev...
An Introduction to PDA with Clare Truman
07 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is considered to be a profile within autism and it presents as an overwhelming need to resist and avoid the ordina...
SENsible24 with Abigail Hawkins
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
SENsible24: Elevate Your SENCO Experience with a little bit of fun and learning Step into a world of inclusivity and collaboration at the first LIVE i...
Going to University with Autism or ADHD with Victoria Ellen
30 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Whilst going to university may be an expectation and a natural part of life for many young people, it can often seem unreachable or overwhelming for n...
Presence in Research with Joanna Grace
23 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The exclusion of people with learning disabilities and neurodivergent conditions from research happens in a multitude of ways, whether it's the result...
The Benefits of Audiobooks with Emily Pye
16 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For some children the wonderful world of books is completely closed off due to an illness or condition that impacts on their ability to read the print...
Dual and Multiple Exceptionality with Fintan O'Regan
09 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Pupils can be described as exceptionally gifted, talented or highflyers but often that 'gift' is hiding something else and there is no hint of SEN wit...
How To Wait Well When Your Child Is On The Diagnostic Pathway for Autism or ADHD with Jodie Warren
02 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Wait times for autism and ADHD assessments can be incredibly challenging and lengthy, often leaving parents feeling isolated, helpless, and scared. Ma...
Who Leads on SEND in a School? The SENCO or the Headteacher? with Abigail Gray
26 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It is evident that SENCOs are struggling and many qualified SENCOs are not staying in their role. Additionally, LAs are getting away with unlawful pra...
How to Stop Your Limiting Belief Limiting You with Alison Knowles
19 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever experienced fears or phobias? Common ones like spiders, birds, flying, and snakes can trigger fear and panic. Interestingly, these fears...
Leading On Behaviour In Schools And Colleges with Adele Bates
12 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Behaviour in schools and colleges is a complex issue, with various opinions and strict approaches, particularly in the UK. It can be challenging to es...
ASC and ADHD in Adults with Dale Pickles
05 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode, the table has turned for Dale as he takes a step back from hosting duties today on the SENDcast. Having been a guest on the S...
Turning Differentiation On Its Head with Catrina Lowri
28 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Differentiation is currently facing negativity due to confusion surrounding its definition and expectations. Teachers are often filled with dread when...
Empathy? What We Need Is Compassion with Amanda Sokell
21 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Empathy is the ability to put yourself in somebody else's shoes and to understand how they might be feeling in a situation. It's a personal connection...
Being Hijacked By Your Emotions with Alison Knowles
14 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
From the moment we are born, none of us have fears or phobias, we don't have any beliefs about how the world works, they are shaped by our reality –...
The Tes SEND Show with Beverley Walters
12 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Beverley joins Dale for this special episode highlighting what's on at this year's Tes SEND Show 13 - 14 October in London and why you should be there...
Executive Function Skills and Neurodiversity Traits with Victoria Bagnall
07 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Getting to class on time, meeting homework deadlines, making sure the right equipment is brought into school are all essential, however, are we active...
The Boundaries Between Education and Care with Zara Wright
31 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In schools, there is a growing blur between the realms of education and care. It has become increasingly evident that school staff are shouldering a t...
Additional Needs Haircut Services with Craig Henderson
24 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Many children with additional needs face challenges when it comes to getting their hair cut. It can be an incredibly stressful experience for everyone...
How Our Brains Project Our Past with Alison Knowles
17 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Why do we dread starting a new job? Why do we not like going to the in-laws for Christmas? Why do we not look forward to Monday morning? As humans...
Engaging Pupils with SEMH and Other Behaviour Needs with Adele Bates
10 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Behaviour is communication, it doesn't just come out of nowhere and is only the tip of the iceberg. With more than 40 pupils being excluded daily for ...
Reducing Teacher Workload By Supporting Pupils With SEND From The Get-Go with Zoe Mather
03 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We are seeing a significant rise in the number of diagnoses and SEN registers growing, but these values don't always correlate. This has left schools ...
Effective Advocacy & Why Fighting Doesn't Work with Jodie Warren
27 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There is a common narrative which reflects far too many parents' experiences that, in order to get the support their child needs, parents need to be p...
EHCNA with Amanda Sokell
20 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Local Authorities are seeing unprecedented demand for Education Health & Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) and as a result are struggling to keep up. Th...
Goal Setting with Alison Knowles
13 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Having a goal can often feel like you're standing at the foot of the mountain looking up to the peak, wondering how on earth you're going to get there...
Exercise, Play and Sensory Integration for Disabled Children with Stephanie Wheen
06 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We all know the benefits of exercise. But as we look at the world around us, the opportunities for people with disabilities to exercise is extremely l...
Incidental Conversations with Ginny Bootman
29 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have you had your hair cut? Have you got a new coat? Is that a new rucksack? These seemingly simple questions can make a huge difference in building c...
Focus On What They Can Do, Not What They Can't with Joanne Jones
22 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In the world of Special Educational Needs (SEN), it's common to focus on what children can't do instead of celebrating their abilities. We often compa...
SENCO Workload and Wellbeing with Lynn How
15 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Being a SENCO comes with a long list of responsibilities that often overlap with other roles. Unfortunately, SENCOs are sometimes isolated and hidden ...
Tourette's in the Education System with Lucy Toghill
08 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We released a great introduction to Tourette's a few weeks ago with Ione, but what impact does having Tourette Syndrome (TS) have within a school? The...
Venn Diagrams and Icebergs: How to Negotiate the A to Z of SEND with Fintan O'Regan
01 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
ADHD, ADD, AGT, ASC, ASD, DME, DSD, EBD, PDA, SEMH, SPD… There is an A to Z of SEND labels/terms and there are 9 under 'A' alone!! Labels change ...
Helping Children with PMLD Thrive with Yoga with Jyoti Jo Manuel
25 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How can you do yoga with children with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD)? For many years the potential for yoga to be helpful for chi...
Tourette's? (Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month - May 15th to June 15th) with Ione Georgakis
18 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tourette Syndrome (TS) is an inherited, neurological condition, the key features of which are tics, involuntary and uncontrollable sounds and movement...
Teaching Phonics to ALL Learners - What About SLD and PMLD Pupils? with Dr Sarah Moseley
11 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The teaching of reading is something that is relevant to all our learners including those with severe and complex learning difficulties but the questi...
LEGO® Play - Social and Emotional Wellbeing with Dr Gina Gómez de la Cuesta
04 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do you have a LEGO® or brick building club in your setting? All children need opportunities to play, make friends and feel accepted. Autistic and neu...
The Labelling Lurgy with Abigail Hawkins
27 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Labels tell you a lot and yet nothing at the same time. They can lead to stereotyping, discrimination and negative attitudes but they also facilitate ...
Myth Busting the Magic of Sensory Rooms with Joanna Grace
20 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Multisensory rooms have become increasingly popular. They typically occupy considerable space, require substantial financial investment, and consume s...
Black and Autistic or Neurodivergent with Suzy Rowland, Keisha Swaby and Lauren Fernandez
13 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know that children from ethnic minority groups are excluded at a rate that's 4 times greater than their white peers? Adding neurodivergence in...
How To Help Pupils Understand and Express How They Feel with Sue White
06 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Children are needing more support than ever with their language skills. The Education Endowment Foundation reported a staggering 76% of primary school...
We Need To Talk About Excel with Ginny Bootman
30 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do you love Excel or avoid it? If conditional formatting, VLOOKUP, freezing panes, formulas and filtering send you into a spin. Look no further! In th...
The What and Why of Compassionate Co-Regulation with Jyoti Jo Manuel
23 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have you heard of compassionate co-regulation? It means that when we calm and regulate ourselves as the adults, we create an energetic circle of safet...
Mental Health and Behaviour: Nature or Nurture? Risk and Resilience with Fintan O'Regan
16 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The nature vs nurture debate in mental health and behaviour refers to the extent to which genetics (nature) and environmental factors (nurture) influe...
Dyspraxia and Handwriting with Kim Griffin
09 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We live in a digital age, so where do we see or use joined up writing nowadays? Everything has moved on since putting pen to paper and writing lette...
*Special episode* Discussing the SEND and AP Improvement Plan with Claire Coutinho
08 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Last summer we were all asked for our input as part of the SEND Review Green Paper consultation. Having reviewed thousands of responses, last week th...
Becoming a SENCO - Where to Start? with Lynn How
02 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Becoming a SENCO can be extremely daunting, some people don't know what they're letting themselves in for when they take on the role. It also doesn'...
Cuddly Cardigans, Strategic Suits and Why SENCOs Don't Fit Into Either! with Abigail Hawkins
23 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Are you a SENCO struggling to be strategic? Facing burnout? You are not alone! SENCOs have too many hats to wear and can often feel like they aren'...
Identity First Language and Belonging With Joanna Grace
16 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The considered use of language is often mocked as political correctness gone mad. When you look at it up close it is more like a kind of powerful mag...
Using Rosenshine's Principles of Instruction with SEND pupils with Dr Susie Nyman
09 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Are you familiar with Rosenshine's 10 principles of instruction? Rosenshine's principles are based on evidence-informed teaching and enhance teacher ...
Girls on the Spectrum - Autism and Puberty with Victoria Ellen
02 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Supporting Autism in Schools with Yoga with Jyoti Jo Manuel
26 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Schools are notoriously difficult environments for children with autism to function in, let alone thrive in. We need to support them with understand...
How Schools Can Build Positive Well-being Among Students with Sue White
19 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Should Everyone Learn To Sign? Moving Away From An Interpreter Model with Sarah Billingham
12 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 an...
I Can't Go To School with Suzy Rowland
05 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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...
What Are Outcomes and Why Do They Matter? with Abigail Hawkins
29 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 typ...
SEND Christmas Crackers with Dr Susie Nyman - Part 1 – Making Christmas enjoyable for everyone
22 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A discussion based on neurodiverse learners and strategies to help them cope with the run up to Christmas. Susie talks about strategies and solutions ...
SEND Christmas Crackers with Dr Susie Nyman - Part 2 – Christmas Carols
22 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 th...
Medication for Supporting Children with ADHD: Chemical Cosh or Reset Button with Fintan O'Regan
15 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental difference with the key traits of Hyperactivity, Impulsivity and Inattention. Medication can be prescribed to support the...
Sensory Communication with Joanna Grace
08 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When people are 'triggered' they often enter what's known as fight or flight, their ability to reason and respond pragmatically to situations evapora...
Boost Reading and Writing Through Play with Georgina Durrant
01 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 pl...
Creating An Inclusive Reading Curriculum For All Learners with Dr Sarah Moseley
24 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 p...
Dyspraxia - More Than Just Clumsiness with Kim Griffin
17 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dyspraxia or Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD) is often thought of as clumsiness, but it is quite misunderstood and incorrectly used. Dyspra...