The SENDcast

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 across the UK? Conduct Disorder is to some extent more specific in many of its symptoms than other behaviour terms and has been a constant in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

It's as if we are afraid to talk about let alone diagnose it, so in this week's episode, Fintan O'Regan joins Dale in the studio to shed light on the term 'Conduct Disorder' and why so little is talked about it.

During our discussion, Fintan gives an overview of Conduct Disorder, explaining its defining characteristics and the behaviours observed in school settings. Listen to hear valuable strategies to support pupils and gain insights into distinguishing between impulsive behaviours associated with ADHD and the calculated, premeditated actions associated with Conduct Disorder.

"The approach you would take for someone who's non premeditated versus someone who is premeditated is different".

Fintan O'Regan, Behaviour and SEN Consultant

Fintan was the Head teacher of the Centre Academy from 1996 -2002, which was the first specialist school in the UK for students between the ages of 7-19 specialising issues related to ADHD, ASD and ODD.

He is an associate lecturer for Leicester University, the National Association of Special Needs, the Institute of Education, the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre and the former Vice Chairman of the UK ADHD Network and of the European ADHD Alliance.

Fintan now works as trainer and consultant for schools and school support systems including, Social Services, Health, the Police and Foster carers with regards to providing behaviour management strategies for children and families struggling with SEND and behaviour issues.

https://twitter.com/FintanOregan

www.fintanoregan.com

[email protected]

Conduct Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence

Understanding Conduct Disorder and Oppositional-Defiant Disorder

DSM-5 Changes: Implications for Child Serious Emotional Disturbance

American Psychiatric Association - Conduct Disorder

O'Regan F (2006) Challenging Behaviours Teachers Pocketbooks

O'Regan F (2006) Troubleshooting Challenging Behaviours

O'Regan F (2018) Successfully Managing Children ADHD Second edition

· B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk

· Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast

· Email Dale – [email protected]

· Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe

We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.

Factors such as hunger, fatigue, illness, excitement, or nervousness can all influence a child's state of arousal in a classroom and can significantly impact their engagement and learning experience.

In this week's podcast, Kim Griffin, Occupational Therapist, joins Dale to discuss what we mean by the term 'arousal' and how this links to self-regulation.

Kim explains that arousal is the level of energy or alertness present in the body and how different levels of arousal can affect children. It is a neurological process that, to some extent, can be managed, but eventually reaches a point beyond our control. During this episode, Kim highlights:

• Internal and external influencing factors
• Fight, flight or freeze states
• What the ready zone is
• How to get a child into the ready zone
• What should you not do when a child is highly aroused
• Top tips for supporting higher and lower aroused children to self-regulate

By comprehending the connection between arousal and self-regulation, we can create supportive environments that optimise learning and well-being.

Kim is an occupational therapist with 20 years' experience supporting children, young people, their families and teachers to participate successfully in their daily lives. Her interest areas are sensory processing and autism. Kim provides online training for those who want to learn more about sensory processing, motor skills and handwriting along with programmes that show you have to help children improve their skills.

https://twitter.com/Griffin_OT

www.GriffinOT.com

[email protected]

· B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk

· Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast

· Email Dale – [email protected]

· Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe

We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.

Miriam is the founder of Illuminate Inclusion, an organisation that provides a range of services for families, professionals and community organisations.

Miriam is a specialist in neurodiversity who works with a range of needs, including ADHD, autism and dyslexia. Her background is in special educational needs. She has worked extensively across primary, secondary and further education settings both as a teacher and SENCO/ALNCO.

www.illuminateinclusion.co.uk

[email protected]

Instagram - @illuminateinclusion

LinkedIn - Miriam Saffer | LinkedIn

Facebook - Illuminate Inclusion

Blog: https://www.illuminateinclusion.co.uk/blog

On-demand webinars: https://www.illuminateinclusion.co.uk/shop/on-demand-webinars

Webinars (register via Illuminate Inclusion website):

October 23rd - SEND Support: What Does My Child Need and How Can I Make Sure They Get It?

November 23rd - Health and Fitness for Children and Young People with SEND

Online Shop Launch

Digital resources for schools and home will be available from our website from 27th October.

· B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk

· Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast

· Email Dale – [email protected]

· Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe

We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.

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 podcast of the year Dale decided to provide a quick summary of 'the best of SENDcast 2023'.

Dale takes a look at the highlights of this year which include 52 episodes, 24 brand new guests, 130,000 downloads and a British Podcast Award finalist! All of this wouldn't have been possible without your support! We really appreciate all your listens, shares and feedback so if you have any suggestions or comments make sure you drop Dale an email or comment on our social channels.

We hope you had a great Christmas and are enjoying a well-deserved break! Wishing you a happy new year and looking forward to another great year ahead – thank you once again for being part of our journey!

Dale is the Managing Director of B Squared. He works with schools all over the UK to help deliver best practice, reduce teacher workload and help schools move forward with assessment. Dale is the host of the SENDcast, the #1 podcast for Special Needs and CPD online training, providing affordable SEND education for all. Dale has spoken at conferences such as the Autism Show and Tes SEND Show.

· B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk

· Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast

· Email Dale – [email protected]

· Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe

We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.

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 draw upon as adults, but children don't. How can we give these experiences to children in school?

Joining Dale again is the wonderful Dr Susie Nyman, who will guide us through the fascinating realm of multi-sensory stories. Susie emphasises the importance of incorporating visual elements, deep knowledge, and understanding to truly grasp the essence of a story. As always, Susie brings her trademark enthusiasm and an array of props to the studio, igniting children's imagination and helping them read and comprehend stories in an exciting way.

You're in for a treat with this episode as Susie treats us to a delightful poem reading and demonstrates how to create a multi-sensory story first-hand. She takes us through techniques using balloons, playdoh, puppets, and even explores the possibilities offered by assistive technology such as reading pens. Susie's insightful tips and insights will empower you to create immersive and engaging multi-sensory stories in your own setting.

Dr Susie Nyman is passionate about discovering how children learn and supporting them in ways which enable them to succeed. She was appointed as a Biology teacher at The Sixth Form College Farnborough in 1995, and subsequently as Curriculum Manager for Health and Social Care where she has worked ever since.

Susie strives to raise students' achievements and support them in ways which enables them to succeed. She works with her students deploying a range of innovative and Multi-sensory teaching techniques to assist their learning including her 'Equality and Diversity Tree' and famous puppets!

Additionally, she has provided training to PGCE students at Kingston University, and in a number of local schools and colleges on teaching strategies. Since February 2017, Susie has presented seminars on 'Multi-sensory Techniques' at The Learning Differences Conventions in Australia, Richmond College, The Helen Arkell Centre, Bell House, The Oratory School, The National Education Show and The Tes SEN Shows in London and Manchester.

Recently, she was filmed 'in action' for The British Dyslexia Association as well as Oaka Books, and the footage is available on YouTube. Subsequently, she has written a chapter about 'Multi-sensory Teaching' in the BDA Dyslexia Friendly Schools Good Practice Guide and 'The Multi-sensory Teaching Toolkit' by Oaka Books.

In recognition of over 21 years continued service at The Sixth Form College Farnborough, Susie has been nominated three times by the College for the 'Tes FE Teacher of the Year Award'. This is an honour of which she is immensely proud.

x.com/DrSusieNyman

drnymanconsultancy.co.uk

[email protected]

Susie's books

Immersive Reader Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n5emMEm3Uk

· B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk

· Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast

· Email Dale – [email protected]

· Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe

We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.

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! Everything outside of school is digital and has been replaced with technology – so why do we still expect children at school to write perfectly with no mistakes?

Around 10% of the population are dyslexic and it's a condition that goes beyond difficulties with reading and writing, often leading to profound effects on an individual's well-being.

In today's episode, Dr Helen Ross a dyslexia expert and consultant, joins Dale for a lively discussion on the relationship between 'Dyslexia and Mental Health'. Helen draws upon her personal experience and expertise to emphasise the damaging effects on children and young people of being belittled for their inability to write neatly, spell correctly, or make mistakes in their handwriting. The infamous pen licence can create all-consuming anxiety for some children and young people and the pressure they put on themselves permeates every aspect of their lives!

I hope you have a great last day of term and enjoy your well-deserved break! Don't forget that new episodes will still be released throughout the Christmas break, so make sure you tune in if you get a chance!

Dr Helen Ross is a fully qualified special needs teacher and former SENCO, working as an independent educational research consultant, specialist assessor and SEND expert.

Helen is a Trustee of the British Dyslexia Association, Chair of the Wiltshire Dyslexia Association and is on the board of the US, not-for profit National Coalition of Independent Scholars. She has consulted for the British Dyslexia Association, The Committee for Science and Technology (part of the UK Government), and Wiltshire Local Authority. She also works internationally with various third sector and commercial organisations with evaluation, consultancy and resource development.

Helen's research explores stakeholder experiences of SEND provision within the mainstream education sector, focussing on the empowerment of those supporting young people, to help them to take ownership of their own learning. She uses her findings from research to inform her own practice and to support other practitioner in their own work, through CPD webinars and live sessions.

http://x.com/@drhelenross

http://helensplace.co.uk/

[email protected]

• Ross, H (2023) 'Educating Post COVID-19: Moving on From Pandemic Pedagogy' The Independent Scholar 9 pp 5-22 Available from: https://www.ncis.org/sites/default/files/TIS%20Vol.9%20FINAL.pdf
• Ross, H. (2023, March) 'No Woman is an Island' From the Council to the Commons Chamber 3: 25.
• Ross, H. (2022, November) 'Dyslexia: from the Inside and Out.' Dystinct Magazine 12: 41-56.
• Ross, H (2023). Interviewed by Stig Abell. Aasmah Mir and Stig Abell with Times Radio Breakfast. Times Radio 14 March. Available at https://www.thetimes.co.uk/radio/live (Accessed 14 March 2023)
• Ross, H (2023) Expert Opinion in 'ChatGPT for students with Dyslexia? Expert Opinion: Examining the use of ChatGPT as an Assistive Technology Tool for Students with Learning Disabilities', Feb 23 [Online] Available at https://on.dystinct.org/chatgpt-learning-disability-assistive-technology-expert-opinion/ (Accessed 14 March 2023)

· B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk

· Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast

· Email Dale – [email protected]

· Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe

We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.

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'. We discuss:

• What is PDA and what do we know about it, so far?
• How to prioritise and present demands for PDA learners
• How to reduce anxiety for PDA learners
• How to follow the PDA learner's lead in learning
• The difference between PDA and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

By listening to this episode, you will gain valuable insights on how to provide better support for children and young people with PDA and help them re-engage with education.

Clare Truman is an education consultant, special education teacher and big sister to an autistic young man. From 2017 to 2019, she was director of Spectrum Space Community Interest Company; a social enterprise and alternative education provision based in Surrey which specialised in supporting autistic children who display Pathological Demand Avoidance. She now provides distance learning packages for students with PDA who find it difficult to access school. Clare is currently completing a PhD at UCL London exploring the educational experiences of PDA learners. She is author of The Teacher's Guide to Pathological Demand Avoidance: Essential Strategies for the Classroom published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

http://x.com/SpectrumSpaceUK

www.spectrumspace.co.uk

Book: The Teacher's Guide to Pathological Demand Avoidance: Essential Strategies for the Classroom published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Journal Article: Clare Truman, Laura Crane, Patricia Howlin & Elizabeth Pellicano (2021): The educational experiences of autistic children with and without extreme demand avoidance behaviours, International Journal of Inclusive Education, DOI: 10.1080/13603116.2021.1916108

· B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk

· Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast

· Email Dale – [email protected]

· Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe

We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.

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 moments of realisation, led by experts in Special Educational Needs (SEN), where knowledge is shared and connections are made. From adaptive teaching strategies to tackling workload bureaucracy, we invite you to be part of this fun filled community day where everyone learns from each other, even Gavin...

Event Highlights:

📚 Practical Wisdom: Lots of stories and helpful tips from those that have been there and done that, not only that but the combined experience in the room will reach well over 1000 years!

🤝 Networking Extravaganza: Connect, collaborate, and get moving around the room, ohh you thought you were just coming to sit by people you already knew? Haha, think again, SENCOs meet other SENCOs as we get you engaging with each other like never before!

🛍️ Exhibitor Showcase: Every event has to have some well placed exhibitors, but these are just those throwing money at the event, going "I want to be there!" Every Exhibitor has been hand picked to attend and is linked to a talk, they might even be a little picked on, well they spend ages trying to get you to buy their stuff, so let's have a little fun!

☕ Free Nourishment: Nourishment? Who uses that? Free food, 200 people eating in a gourmet restaurant, just avoid Gavin he is all elbows and with that many people you can be assured something will go wrong, if it does we can open the Prosecco and just laugh about it!

🎟️ Limited Tickets: Super limited and we reallly have to sell all these to break even with the bank, running this kind of event isn't free, we have some discounts available for our website members (Plat/Plat plus), but we really can't do much more than that. Sorry!

🥳 Celebration: We will be recognising the work that SENCOs do, you work soo hard to make such a different and one random lucky or unlucky SENCO will be pulled up to the stage and given the award that represents the hard work of all SENCOs!

This is more than just a boring conference; it's an opportunity to grow, connect, and celebrate your role as a SENCO. Whether you're a seasoned SENCO or just starting your journey, SENsible24 is the place to be.

Abigail runs SENDCOSolutions, an SEN consultancy and SENsible SENCO CIC, a not-for-profit networking support group. She has been a SENCO for over 25 years and has taught a multitude of subjects across all phases from 2-year-olds to adults.

She works with software companies developing supportive software for SEN and Safeguarding purposes, has developed and delivers on a teaching assistant apprenticeship programme, authored several books on SEN and exclusions and runs a support network for over 9000 SENCOs.

Until recently, she was the Chair of Governors for 3 schools in the East Midlands and she still works as a SENCO for part of her week. Abigail has a no-nonsense, practical approach to SEN issues faced by schools.

Abigail was one of the three lead voices on a series of SEN webinars delivered over the lockdowns amassing an audience of over 12000 viewers and she uses modern approaches to share SEN-related information including a successful YouTube channel.

Website – www.sendcosolutions.co.uk

www.sensiblesenco.org.uk

Email – [email protected]

Twitter – @sendcosolutions

Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/sensiblesenco

Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/SENsibleSENCO

• B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk

• Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast

• Email Dale – [email protected]

• Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe

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. Unfortunately, they are sometimes dismissed and unfairly assumed to be incapable of pursuing higher education.

In this episode, Dale is joined by Victoria Ellen, who shares her experience of 'Going to University with Autism or ADHD'. Together, we delve into various aspects of university life, from lecture theatres and halls of residence to navigating student finances.

During our discussion, we tackle important questions such as: Why university? How to choose the right university? What support is available? We also explore personal journeys, including Victoria Ellen's own experiences and the valuable insights she gained along the way.

"At university you get more flexibility and freedom to work the way you want to work as long as you get your assignment in on time, then that's all that matters."

Victoria Ellen

Victoria Ellen is a late diagnosed Autistic adult. She is an online content creator who shares her experiences of Autism via cute aesthetically pleasant graphics and striking captions. She is an Autistic researcher and public speaker, who uses her knowledge of research and her own personal experiences to educate and inform others, as well as providing resources and advice.

x.com/actuallyaspling

Actuallyaspling.wordpress.com

Victoria's Instagram instagram.com/actuallyaspling

· B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk

· Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast

· Email Dale – [email protected]

· Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe

We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.

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 importance of their active involvement. As a researcher working closely with individuals with profound disabilities, Jo knows first-hand the significance of their presence in research. For example, autistic individuals have been excluded from mental health studies, leaving us with limited knowledge on supporting their well-being.

Listen to hear how inclusive research, born out of the disabled rights movement, has developed over the past 20 years. Inclusive research adds value and ensures research benefits EVERYONE, however, existing definitions of inclusivity unintentionally exclude those with profound intellectual disabilities. This inspired Jo's work, which explores meaningful research with individuals who have profound intellectual and multiple disabilities.

Join our podcast to learn why presence in research matters, discover examples of inclusive research, and explore steps for fostering inclusivity in your own work.

Joanna Grace is a sensory engagement and inclusion specialist, doctoral researcher, author, trainer, TEDx speaker and Founder of The Sensory Projects.

Joanna has worked with people with learning disabilities and neurodivergent conditions aged from 0-100 (well 1 day old – 87 years old to be precise) in a range of settings and context.

Through all she does Joanna is seeking to contribute to a future where people are understood in spite of their differences.

www.twitter.com/Jo3Grace

www.TheSensoryProjects.co.uk

[email protected]

www.Facebook.com/JoannaGraceTSP

www.TheSensoryProjects.com/books

www.LinkedIn/In/JoannaGraceTheSensoryProjects

· B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk

· Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast

· Email Dale – [email protected]

· Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe

We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.