In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast, Georgina Durrant chats to Mel Fisher from Thrive all about Trauma-Sensitive (Trauma Informed) approaches. They discuss why behaviour is communication, why trauma-informed approaches benefit children, common misconceptions of trauma informed approaches and much much more.

Relevant resources:

• Thrive website
• CPD - Developing Trauma Informed Approaches
• Lanyard-Sized Restorative Conversation Prompts
• CPD - Developing Restorative Practise

In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast 'SEND in the experts with Georgina Durrant', Georgina Durrant chats to Nana Marfo a disability advocate who speaks on the issues faced by disabled people within the labor market and in general society. Nana's fight for a voice and presence all stem from his own experience living with a permanent tracheostomy tube that enables him to breath and talk.

Resources linked to this episode:

• Tracheostomy Teaching Resource: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/tibfs
• Disability Awareness Powerpoint https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1l0p8m
• Education Health Care Plan Information Resource Pack https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1188d8
• International Day of Persons with Disabilities Activity Pack https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/10xm5x

In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast 'SEND in the experts with Georgina Durrant', Georgina Durrant chats to Kim Griffin an occupational therapist and founder of GriffinOT. They chat about the role of an Occupational Therapist (OT), what is meant by sensory processing differences, dyspraxia and much more!

Resources linked to this episode:

• Identifying Sensory Needs- Adult Guidance and Checklist
• Movement Break Cards
• Dyspraxia Strategies and Information

Kim's website can be found here GriffinOT website

Her Crocodile Snap video that we discussed on her Youtube Channel can be found here.

In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast 'SEND in the experts with Georgina Durrant', Georgina Durrant chats to Helen Evans (Chief Executive of the PDA Society) and Jilly Davis (Education Advisor at the PDA Society) all about Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA).

Resources on Twinkl to support learners with a PDA Profile:

• Top Tips For Supporting PDA in the Classroom
• What is PDA? (Adult Guidance)
• PDA Mind map (Adult Guidance)

Link to the PDA Society : https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/

Link to the PANDA approaches mentioned in the podcast episode: https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/resources/helpful-approaches-infographic/

In this special episode of SEND in the experts with Georgina Durrant, Georgina chats to Dr Helen Ross, Conservative MP Matt Hancock and Labour MP Sharon Hodgson about the Dyslexia Screening Bill that proposes that all children are screened for dyslexia by the end of primary school.

Resources on Twinkl to support learners with Dyslexia:

• Dyslexia Intervention: Simple Reading Comprehension - Complete Pack
• Supporting Dyslexia in KS2 Resource Pack
• Dyslexia Reading Fluency Intervention Complete Pack

In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast, Georgina Durrant is joined by the inspirational Musharaf Asghar. Musharaf Asghar captured the hearts of the nation in 2013 when, as a schoolboy, he appeared on our screens in the award-winning Channel 4 series Educating Yorkshire. Musharaf, also known as Mushy, joined the series to raise awareness of stammering. Mushy sprang onto our screens at the age of 16. Now 25, he is a keynote speaker, journalist and sports writer. Georgina asks Mushy about what it was like growing up with a stammer, his time on Educating Yorkshire and how he is continuing to raise awareness of stammering.

Resources on Twinkl to support learners with a stammer:

• Stammering: How to Help.
• What is it like to stammer?
• What is a stammer?

In this episode Georgina Durrant chats to Lizzie Acker, star of Channel 4's The Great British Bake off. They discuss Lizzie's experiences growing up with dyslexia, ADHD and dyspraxia. They also discuss her time on Channel 4's The Great British Bake off and the amazing cake she baked to celebrate neurodiversity. Don't miss this episode of our Special Educational Needs podcast.

Extra resources:

• Video Interview with Lizzie Acker
• Older Learners Resource - What is Neurodiversity
• Barriers to Learning Information on Dyslexia Booklet

In this episode, Georgina Durrant talks to Nikki Saunders. Nikki is the author of The Eddie Series, and is a passionate advocate for the autistic community. She has two children and has worked in Special Education. Since the publication of her first book, she has been on a mission to improve provision for autistic children whilst improving awareness of - and empathy for, the autistic experience in society at large. Georgina and Nikki chat about how and when to explain an autism diagnosis to children, Nikki's books and the other resources out there for autistic children.

Eddie Series Resources to support autistic children and young people:

• The Eddie Series: Visual Timetable
• The Eddie Series: Explaining Autism to My Friends
• The Eddie Series: Sensory and Emotional Awareness Activities

Sue Atkins, 'This Morning', BBC Radio and Disney Family Parenting Expert and former deputy head teacher, joins Georgina Durrant in this episode of 'SEND in the Experts'. They chat about mental health and wellbeing, inclusion, the effects of the pandemic on children and much more. A great listen for teachers, TAs, SENDCos and head teachers.

Relevant teaching resources:

• Resilience PowerPoint
• Social Situation: Parents Getting Divorced Splitting Up
• An Introduction to Mental Health - PowerPoint

Cathy Wassell, CEO of Autistic Girls Network, joins Georgina Durrant in this episode of 'SEND in the Experts' to discuss autism in girls. They chat about late diagnosis, mental health impacts, masking, school support and much more. An important listen for teachers, TAs, SENDCos and head teachers.

Teaching resources to support autistic girls:

• Autism and Girls Resource Pack
• Autism Spectrum Mind Map (Poster for teachers and parents)
• Autism Strategies and Information Adult Guidance