The SENDcast

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is considered to be a profile within autism and it presents as an overwhelming need to resist and avoid the ordinary demands of life.  The PDA Society estimates that 70% of PDA children and young people are not in school, arguing that this is because their needs are not being met. Clare Truman joins Dale for her first SENDcast episode 'An Introduction to PDA'. W...

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 in-person event, "All in the Room". Inspired by the idea of meeting SEN needs within the classroom, this event brings together exhibitors, speakers, and SENCOs around the same tables. Join us for a day filled with engaging sessions, laughs and a few m...

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 neurodivergent individuals who feel they may struggle to cope. Neurodivergent individuals often face a lack of information and awareness regarding university life, leaving them uninformed about the support and opportunities available to them. Unfortun...

The exclusion of people with learning disabilities and neurodivergent conditions from research happens in a multitude of ways, whether it's the result of not being able to sign a consent form or researchers not wanting their results skewed. In today's episode, Joanna Grace joins Dale to focus on the presence of people with disabilities in research. We explore the exclusion they face and the import...

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 printed word . This could be a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, a mental health condition like anxiety, a visual impairment, or a physical condition that makes it more difficult to hold a book, such as arthritis. But there is a way to open u...

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 within that description. It is estimated that 5-10% of children identified as having high ability also have a special education need or disability. Have you heard of DME and 2E? Fintan O'Regan joins Dale to introduce the terms 'Dual and Multiple Excepti...

Wait times for autism and ADHD assessments can be incredibly challenging and lengthy, often leaving parents feeling isolated, helpless, and scared. Many families describe this waiting period as a state of limbo, which can be emotionally and mentally draining. Jodie Warren, SEND coach & consultant for parents, joins Dale today to discuss 'how to 'wait well' when your child is on the diagnostic path...

It is evident that SENCOs are struggling and many qualified SENCOs are not staying in their role. Additionally, LAs are getting away with unlawful practices and children with SEND are still being excluded at an alarming rate. It is crucial for teachers to receive support from the whole school team around SEND. But who leads SEND in schools? To delve into this topic, Dale is joined by Abigail Gray,...

Have you ever experienced fears or phobias? Common ones like spiders, birds, flying, and snakes can trigger fear and panic. Interestingly, these fears are not innate ; they are often derived from personal experiences or learned from others, typically during childhood. A regular voice on the podcast, Alison Knowles, returns to discuss 'How to Stop Your Limiting Belief Limiting You'. Alison tells us...

Behaviour in schools and colleges is a complex issue, with various opinions and strict approaches, particularly in the UK. It can be challenging to establish consistency because of everything that's thrown at schools and colleges to deal with. Adele Bates, joins Dale today for a great discussion on 'Leading behaviour in schools and colleges'. As a Behaviour and Education Specialist, Adele brings a...

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 SENDcast several times over the years, a friend of Dale's and an ADHD and neurodiversity consultant, Dale invited Fintan O'Regan to interview him. Join us as we discuss 'ASC and ADHD in adults' with Dale making his debut as a guest speaker on his own...

Differentiation is currently facing negativity due to confusion surrounding its definition and expectations. Teachers are often filled with dread when they hear the terms 'scaffolding up', 'adaptive teaching' or 'differentiation' are introduced and assume it's going to mean more work for them. It isn't implicitly clear to teachers how to go about differentiation and who it applies to in their clas...

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 that you need to have experienced to have empathy, which makes empathy flawed . In today's podcast, Amanda Sokell joins Dale to discuss 'Empathy? What we need is compassion'. Amanda created a model that for any child, and in particular a child with...

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 world in which we are brought up in by our parents/carers. As we grow, our unique life experiences and the emotions we attach to certain situations or behaviours begin to define us. "We need to recognise that whatever emotion is in control at any...

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!  "It's an absolutely fantastic place to network and there's so much to learn, so much to take advantage of and we've just packed so much into the programme." Beverley Walters Attending Tes SEND Show provides the opportunity for the entire school wo...

Getting to class on time, meeting homework deadlines, making sure the right equipment is brought into school are all essential, however, are we actively teaching and equipping students with these skills? Executive function - everyone has to have, everyone needs to learn about, but no one really knows about. One of the problems that we have around executive function skills is that often it's presum...

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 tremendous responsibility in addressing mental health concerns, often due to long waiting lists and inconsistent quality of external support services. To shed light on this issue, we are delighted to have Zara Wright Director of SEND at the Weydon Mul...

Many children with additional needs face challenges when it comes to getting their hair cut. It can be an incredibly stressful experience for everyone involved, despite the fact that haircuts are a necessity for everyone. Getting a haircut can overwhelm the senses, with numerous challenges such as, the apron/cloth, noise from clippers, music, lighting, smells etc. Children are taught not to intera...

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, we tend to approach new events or situations with caution or even negativity. This is because our brains have a natural tendency to protect us from uncertainty and potential harm. Alison Knowles, Emotional Therapist, joins Dale in this episode to dis...

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 behaviour-related problems, it is evident that the system is not effectively addressing the issue . We have another new guest speaker this week, Adele Bates a Behaviour and Education Specialist! Adele joins Dale to discuss 'Engaging Pupils with SEMH...

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 and teachers feeling concerned about the increased workload and inadequate support from their local authorities and the government. The increased prevalence of named conditions and acronyms in SEN has left many teachers feeling uncertain about their...

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 prepared to fight . However, this not only increases stress levels but also decreases the likelihood of achieving the best outcomes for their child. While it may seem impossible to work collaboratively in some situations, in many cases, parents can ad...

Local Authorities are seeing unprecedented demand for Education Health & Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) and as a result are struggling to keep up. The situation is further complicated by many parents requesting EHCPs, but not receiving them due to refusals from authorities, leaving schools caught in the crossfire . As a result, there is widespread confusion among schools and parents about this area...

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. It can feel daunting, impossible and a struggle to get there, with many people not getting past the first step. This week Alison Knowles, Emotional Therapist, joins Dale to discuss 'Goal setting – how to make dreams a reality'. Alison tells us that...

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 limited. Playgrounds, swimming pools, climbing walls, trampoline parks etc are all great facilities for children to exercise, build confidence, improve balance and coordination. Many now provide sessions for children with additional needs. However, so...