The SENDcast

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, some parents have tried these activities only to find out that they are not entirely inclusive.

Stephanie Wheen, CEO and Founder of Gympanzees, joins Dale today to discuss 'Exercise, Play and Sensory Integration for Disabled Children'. We talk about:

• How play and exercise help develop physical skills
• What is our sensory system and how does play and exercise effect it?
• What are the problems caused by a lack of exercise for children with physical and sensory disabilities?
• How can exercise and play improve development, independence and quality of life for children with physical and non-physical disabilities?

There are small changes that can be applied which will make a massive difference to the lives of children with disabilities. Listen to hear top tips on how they can be applied at home, at school or in the community.

About Stephanie Wheen

Stephanie is a highly specialised paediatric physiotherapist who has been in the industry for 20 years. She set up Physio for Children Ltd in Bristol. She is also the founder and CEO of the multi-award-winning charity, Gympanzees, providing services for disabled children and young people. The charity has now launched a multi-million-pound appeal to build the UK's first, fully inclusive play and exercise centre in Bristol.

Contact Stephanie

Website – https://www.gympanzees.org/

Twitter - @GympanzeesUK

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GympanzeesUK

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

Useful Links

Gympanzees website - https://www.gympanzees.org/

Online Resources Hub - https://www.gympanzees.org/our-services/online-resource-hub

Webinars

Proprioception - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIgJYhPhZ10

Sensory Integration - https://www.gympanzees.org/our-services/therapy-webinars/understanding-sensory-processing-and-strategies-to-try-at-home

High-Tone - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rI0SlD3N9o

• 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

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 connections and relationships with the children around us.

In this week's episode Ginny Bootman joins Dale to discuss 'Incidental Conversations'. She highlights that taking the time to interact with children around us can be incredibly rewarding. Ginny tells us how those incidental conversations can have a profound impact on the individual we are talking to, building rapport and making them feel noticed and remembered.

The playground and corridor are some of the best places for these incidental conversations. So next time you see a child with a new haircut or a new coat, take a moment to ask them about it. You might be surprised at the boost it gives not only to the child but also to yourself.

About Ginny Bootman

Ginny has been a teacher longer than she hasn't, as a Headteacher, Senior Manager and Class Teacher and now as a SENCO of 4 Primary schools in Northamptonshire. Her passion lies within all things concerned with empathy and the role which empathy plays in ensuring that all of those in school settings feel valued and listened to. Ginny is an Associate of Undiscovered Country a team who help individuals manage change.

Contact Ginny

Website – www.ginnybootman.com

Email – [email protected]

Twitter - @sencogirl

Instagram – @ginnybootman

Useful Links

Gavin Oates https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG8hrvVep8U&t=22s

• 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

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 compare them to their non-SEN peers and tend to overlook their accomplishments. Even when they achieve something, we tend to focus on what they can't do next. When we focus on what children can't do, we lose connection and miss opportunities to help them progress.

Joanne Jones, Consultant Speech and Language therapist joins Dale for her first SENDcast 'Focus on what they can do, not what they can't'. Joanne has seen first-hand the progress that children make with this philosophy and wants to help parents and professionals use this perspective to support children's mental health, development and relationships. All children have strengths and want connection and communication, listen to find out how you can help them thrive.

"Focusing on curiosity and the love of learning is one of the most important things we can do. Letting them do more of what they can already do will lead them to achieve in areas that they may be finding difficult."

Joanne Jones

About Joanne Jones

Joanne Jones is a Consultant Speech and Language Therapist with more than 20 years' experience of working with Early Years children in the NHS and as the founder of her own preschool.

Worldwide, she now helps thousands of parents online – giving them the knowledge and tools needed to support their child's speech, language and communication needs.

Famous for her empowering speech therapy programme for late-talking children, 'Can-Do', Joanne also authored the Amazon best-seller 'Ditch the Dummy: The Gentle Way'.

A member of The Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists, Joanne has appeared on BBC Radio and 'The One Show'.

Contact Joanne

Website - www.thehomeofcando.com (www.oursupporthub.co.uk)

Facebook – www.facebook.com/candospeechtherapy/

Email - [email protected]

Useful Links

https://www.thehomeofcando.com/f/3-keys-for-late-talkers - The 3 Keys For Late Talkers

• 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

Being a SENCO comes with a long list of responsibilities that often overlap with other roles. Unfortunately, SENCOs are sometimes isolated and hidden away within schools, leading to a lack of understanding of their role. The workload SENCOs face is immense, and leadership may not fully understand the extent of the role.

SENCOs need to protect themselves, but how?

This week Lynn How, Educational Consultant, joins Dale to discuss 'SENCO Workload and Wellbeing'.

Listen to this episode to find out:

• how to make the role more transparent and its importance
• ways to raise a SENCO's profile
• where to find support and networking opportunities
• why they should track and communicate their workload
• Burnout vs Exploitation – how flipping the narrative puts the onus back on the school rather than sounding like something that has been brought on themselves
• top 10 tips for mental health and wellbeing

About Lynn How

Lynn How is an educational consultant, editor of Teacher Toolkit website and blogger.

With 20 years of primary teaching and SLT experience, she has been an Assistant Head, Lead Mentor for ITT and SENCO. She loves to write and also has her own SEMH and staff mental health blog: www.positiveyoungmind.com.

Lynn holds an MA in Education, is a fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching (FCCT), NASENCO and NPQH. Her particular areas of interest are wellbeing (staff and pupil), SEND, children's mental health, leadership, mentoring and coaching. Recently she has started an Educational Consultancy business for SEND (SEND support) and Teacher Wellbeing (The Wellbeing Lady).

Contact Lynn

Website - www.positiveyoungmind.com

Email - [email protected]

Twitter - @Positive_Y_Mind

Instagram - positive_young_minds

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PositiveYoungMind

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

Useful Links

https://positiveyoungmind.com/senco-overview-of-workload-editable/

https://positiveyoungmind.com/sencos-raising-the-profile-of-these-unsung-heros/

https://positiveyoungmind.com/senco-resources/

• 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 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?

There are still huge amounts of misconceptions out there about TS and a general lack of awareness of the condition. It's really important to increase knowledge and understanding of TS so that students feel supported, understood and accepted in their educational provision.

Lucy Toghill, Education Manager for Tourettes Action joins Dale in this episode to discuss 'Tourette's in the Education System'. We discuss how tics can manifest in school, the barriers to learning for students with TS and go through strategies to best support students with Tourette's in an educational provision.

"Every child is different.

Triggers are a massive key to understanding how to support the children and avoid those triggers where possible."

Lucy Toghill

About Lucy Toghill

Lucy is a Teacher by trade and has worked in both mainstream and SEN schools for over 20 years. She is also a Mum of two SEN children and has a son with TS.

Contact Lucy

Website – https://www.tourettes-action.org.uk/

Twitter – @tourettesaction

Facebook – www.facebook.com/TourettesAction/

Email - [email protected]

Useful Links

https://www.tourettes-action.org.uk – support groups, free online training, resources, blogs and more.

https://www.tourettes-action.org.uk/160-our-training-offer.html - Training Offer

https://www.tourettes-action.org.uk/62-teachers.html - For Teachers

https://www.tourettes-action.org.uk/151-tourettes-awareness-2023.html - Tourette's Awareness

• 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

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 and some have more credibility than others. With so many increasing terms how can teachers feel prepared to meet the expectations of parents? Fintan O'Regan, Behaviour and SEN Consultant, joins Dale this week to discuss 'Venn diagrams and Icebergs: How to negotiate the A to Z of SEND'. They debate the use or misuse of labels and outline how some terms come and go. Fintan highlights overlapping traits (Venn diagrams) and understanding the underlying needs (Icebergs) beneath the label/term being used. Listen to hear the terms demystified and a pragmatic approach to addressing traits and needs rather than labels/terms. About Fintan O'Regan MA, PGCE BSc

He 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.

Contact Fintan

Website - www.fintanoregan.com

Email - [email protected]

Twitter - @fintanoregan

Useful Links

• A to Z of SEND, Gemma Corby
• The SEND code of Practice
• The Inclusive classroom, Daniel Sobel and Sarah Alston
• Key issues in SEND and Inclusion , Alan Hodkinson
• Dual and Multiple Exceptionality, Adam Boddington
• The DSMV

• 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

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 children who have limited or no voluntary movement, or cannot sit unaided, or cannot speak has been questioned.

Jyoti Jo Manuel, founder and director of Special Yoga, joins Dale this week to discuss 'Helping children with PMLD thrive with yoga'. Yoga for children and young people with PMLD doesn't look like the usual bending/stretching that are synonymous with yoga. Jyoti tells us what it looks like and the impact it can have on the children - which can be life changing!

"I think we can never underestimate how impactful a millimetre of change is for a child like that."

"I go in with no expectation, just an intention to help this child. To help this child feel the best that they can feel in this moment."

Jyoti Jo Manuel

Listen to hear why bringing yoga as a therapeutic intervention to children and young people with PMLD has such great value. Jyoti shares her real-life experiences, the benefits and how yoga can help improve the quality of their lives.

About Jyoti Jo Manuel

Jyoti has been practising yoga since 1974 and teaching since 1989. She is one of the leaders in the training and application of yoga as a therapeutic intervention for children with special and additional needs. She pioneered children's yoga in the UK. She set up the global training school, Special Yoga in 2002 to provide sustainable and accessible training programmes and to support practitioners delivering the work . She works with local education authorities, NHS, academies and individual schools, parents/carers and paediatric professionals. She has travelled globally to extend Special Yoga in Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, Australia, Mexico, Peru, Russia, and many countries in Europe. She is currently training 45 psychologists in the Ukraine to support their traumatised children.

Useful Links

• 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]

• https://www.peacefulpathwaysyoga.com/articles-and-research.html

Tourette Syndrome (TS) is an inherited, neurological condition, the key features of which are tics, involuntary and uncontrollable sounds and movements. Tourette's is not a rare condition; it impacts an estimated 300,000 people in the UK and 1 in 100 school aged children.

As it's Tourette's Awareness month, 15th May to 15th June, we want to destigmatise Tourette Syndrome by showing the general public what the reality of TS looks like. Dispelling some of the myths that surround it such as all people with Tourette's swear (coprolalia), it's a rare condition and tics can be controlled.

Ione Georgakis, Occupational Therapist and Advocacy Lead for Tourette's Action, joins Dale this week to discuss 'Tourette's?'. Ione gives an introduction to tics and Tourette's, including myth busting common misconceptions and exploring how you can best support those living with the condition. Ione tells her personal journey living with the condition, talking about the different types of tics, how to identify them and the difference between stimming and tics.

Listen to understand, support and advocate for individuals with Tourette's.

About Ione Georgakis

Ione Georgakis is an Occupational Therapist who works part time as the advocacy lead for Tourettes Action. Ione uses her professional and lived experience of Tourettes, ADHD and Dyslexia to educate employers, schools and healthcare providers on the characteristics of Tourette Syndrome, seeking to highlight best practices, myth bust, and reduce barriers to engagement and wellbeing.

Contact Ione

Website – www.tourettes-action.org.uk

Twitter – @tourettesaction (Charity) / @Neurodiverse_OT (Personal/professional)

Facebook – www.facebook.com/TourettesAction/

Useful Links

• https://www.tourettes-action.org.uk – support groups, free online training, resources, blogs and more.

• 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

The teaching of reading is something that is relevant to all our learners including those with severe and complex learning difficulties but the questions is…

Where does phonics fit in?

Why should we include this within our reading framework and what will it look like?

How will learners with the most significant complex needs gain from an inclusive reading curriculum?

These are all questions that Dr Sarah Moseley addresses in today's podcast 'Teaching Phonics to ALL learners - what about SLD and PMLD pupils?'. Sarah is an Educational Consultant and joins Dale to talk about the process of learning to read and the importance of including accessible, meaningful, and engaging phonics instruction in this.

Recent publications by the DfE and Ofsted have placed a renewed focus on the teaching of reading for all learners, which includes the teaching of phonics. This has caused much discussion and some concern amongst special schools. There is a lack of support in terms of professional development and how to ensure that the teaching of phonics is relevant, accessible, and engaging for all learners.

We discuss:

• how to ensure approaches are accessible to all
• the importance of barriers to learning
• how to make phonics relevant and meaningful for older learners
• why engagement is the key to understanding
• how understanding of the alphabetic principle is the key to learning to read

Listen to strategies for working with learners with diverse learning needs, including pre/nonverbal learners and those with more complex Special Educational Needs. Ensure everyone has the opportunity to unlock the door and enter the incredible world of literacy.

About Dr Sarah Moseley

Dr. Moseley has over 30 years' knowledge and experience within special and mainstream education from teaching assistant to Headteacher, as well as a solid research background rooted within the psychology of learning. Her Masters and PhD were in Special Education and focused specifically on the teaching of reading and self-esteem and she has presented nationally and internationally on raising outcomes for learners with SEND and am a published author of my research. Sarah has just finished writing a book on the teaching of reading to all learners for Routledge Publishers.

Now an independent Educational Consultant at www.drsarahmoseley.com, Sarah provides face to face and online training, coaching, keynote presentations, information and support for professionals and families from all sectors, specialising in SEND focused school improvement and raising outcomes for all learners. She is passionate about making a positive difference to the lives, attitudes, and outcomes of those who may struggle to learn, based on a belief that every action can make a difference and aims to bridge the gap between theory and learning, to create a culture where high expectations thrive, improving outcomes for all pupils.

Contact Dr Sarah Moseley

Website - www.drsarahmoseley.com

Email - [email protected]

Twitter - @drsarahmoseley

Facebook - Facebook.com/Drsarahmoseley

Useful Links

• 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

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 neurodivergent children can experience high levels of exclusion and may not have access to the same opportunities to socialise in ways that are supportive and accepting. It has never been more important to actively support them with their social, emotional and communication needs.

Dr Gina Gómez de la Cuesta, Clinical Psychologist and Director of Play Included, joins Dale for the first time on The SENDcast to talk about 'LEGO® play - social and emotional wellbeing'. Gina highlights the importance of learning through play, following a child-led approach and the ways in which the Brick-by-Brick® programme positively impacts the development of children's social and communication skills and their emotional wellbeing.

Listen to hear how LEGO® play supports children to communicate, collaborate and connect. Gina also takes us through what running a brick club looks like, from what the role of the adult/teacher is in facilitating the sessions, to the top 5 things you should and shouldn't be doing.

About Dr Gina Gómez de la Cuesta

Gina is a Clinical Psychologist and founded Play Included® (formerly Bricks for Autism) in 2018. Gina studied LEGO® based therapy for her PhD at Cambridge University Autism Research Centre and is co-author of the LEGO based therapy manual. Gina has published several academic papers on LEGO based therapy, including the I-SOCIALISE randomised control trial. Play Included's Brick-by-Brick® programme is the latest update to LEGO based therapy and the only programme of its kind to be endorsed by the LEGO Foundation.

Contact Dr Gina Gómez de la Cuesta

Website – playincluded.com/

Twitter - @GinaGDLC @playincluded

Facebook – facebook.com/playincluded

• 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