The SENDcast

As we approach the end of 2025, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt thanks to you - our wonderful listeners! It has been another remarkable year with 52 episodes recorded, 35 new guest speakers and 100,000 downloads. Thank you for being part of this journey!

I'm excited to share our latest episode of the SENDcast, where we explore the concept of "sticky learning" with the legendary Dr. Susie Nyman! A recently retired curriculum manager with 29 years of experience, Susie shares her insights on how to make learning truly resonate with students, especially those with special educational needs.

In this episode, Susie discusses:

• Multi-Sensory Teaching: Learn how utilising different senses can enhance understanding and retention.
• The Onion Teaching Model: Discover how layering knowledge can help students grasp core concepts more effectively.
• Practical Strategies: Susie shares engaging techniques, like using props and stories, to make learning interactive and memorable.

She emphasises the importance of simplifying information, allowing students to connect new concepts to what they already know.

This episode is packed with valuable strategies that can transform classroom practices and support inclusive learning. We hope you find it as inspiring as we did, and if you enjoy it, please share it with your colleagues and friends!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a well-deserved break! We look forward to returning in the New Year with an exciting lineup of guest speakers and more great content.

View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!

About Dr Susie Nyman

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.

Contact Susie

www.drnymanconsultancy.co.uk

https://x.com/DrSusieNyman

[email protected]

Useful Links

Nyman S. (2024). Oaka Digital. 'Dr Susie Nyman Multi-sensory Techniques.' Oaka Digital

Susie's other podcast recordings

• 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 SENDcast is powered by B Squared

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.

Despite being central to support for children with SEND, the Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) process is often overwhelming and confusing for families.

Ekaterina Harrison, a solicitor and author of the EHCP Handbook, joins Dale to discuss 'How to Make an Effective Education, Health and Care Plan'. Ekaterina offers vital legal insights and personal strategies to help listeners take informed, confident steps - whether reviewing an EHCP for the first time or requesting changes to an existing plan.

"It's quite a sad state of affairs to have trickery going on in this sector".

Ekaterina Harrison

In this insightful episode, Ekaterina highlights:

• The complexities of the EHCP process and how to navigate it effectively.
• Key sections that are crucial and how they interconnect.
• Common pitfalls parents face and how to avoid them.
• That it's a living document that must evolve with your child.

Listen to a practical and empowering guide for anyone looking to transform paperwork into meaningful support.

View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!

About Ekaterina Harrison

Ekaterina Harrison is a solicitor qualified to practise law in England and Wales. She is an author of "The EHCP Handbook: How to Make an Effective Education, Health and Care Plan".

Her expertise in education law has developed through advocacy work for her children's needs and volunteering with the charity SOS!SEN.

As a mother to three neurodivergent children, Ekaterina brings a unique perspective to her writing on special needs and legal entitlements.

The illustrations in the book were created by Ekaterina Harrison's son, James, who was 11 at the time. A different piece of his artwork was selected for exhibition at the Royal Academy Young Artists' Summer Show in 2023.

Contact Ekaterina

https://pavpub.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekaterinaharrison/

Useful Links The EHCP Handbook

In England, more than half a million children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities are provided with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). However, merely having one does not guarantee a smooth education journey. If not properly written, an EHCP can be ineffective or even misleading. This accessible, illustrated handbook acts as a guide through all the stages of making an ECHP, equipping the reader with the information needed to ensure it provides clear guidance and support for the child or young person's education journey.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/EHCP-Handbook-Effective-Education-Parents/dp/1803883952

• 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 SENDcast is powered by B Squared

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.

Can you believe it's already December? With the holiday season upon us, festivities often revolve around food, which can be particularly stressful for families with fussy eaters - something I can relate to with my 7-year-old son at mealtimes.

Eating is essential for our health and well-being, yet it can become a source of anxiety for many families. In this episode, Dr Joanna Grace, sensory engagement and inclusion specialist, shares her personal journey as a fussy eater and highlights that sensory issues often relate more to texture than taste.

"The emotional tension is there because you really, really love that child and you want them to eat."

Jo explains how overwhelming sensory experiences can make mealtimes a stressful challenge for both children and their families. She also offers practical strategies for creating a low-pressure environment at the table, introducing the idea of "graze plates." This approach allows individuals to explore textures and flavours without the pressure to eat, making mealtime a more enjoyable experience.

Listen to hear why eating can be such a sensory triggering process and why it can be such a stressful and emotive topic.

View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!

About Dr Joanna Grace

Dr 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.

Contact Joanna

www.TheSensoryProjects.co.uk

www.Facebook.com/JoannaGraceTSP

https://x.com/jo3grace

[email protected]

www.Youtube.com/@TheSensoryProjects

Useful Links

Books by Joanna Grace

• 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 SENDcast is powered by B Squared

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.

In our latest episode of the SENDcast, we tackle an important topic that often gets lost in the debate over terminology: the practical aspects of differentiation and adaptive teaching. Too much discussion focuses on what to call these strategies, and not enough on how to effectively implement them.

Today, Sara Alston, an experienced SEND and Safeguarding consultant, joins Dale in the studio to look at the 5 phases of the lesson and how to implement adaptive teaching strategies across them:

"There are two key elements; 1. Involving, engaging and supporting all the children in the class and 2. it's about not working teachers into the grave." Sara Alston

In this insightful episode, Sara breaks down the five phases of a lesson and discusses how to apply adaptive teaching strategies at each stage to better engage all students:

1. Preparation – Getting pupils into the room and ready to learn by setting a welcoming tone at the start of the lesson.
2. Instruction – Engaging the class with clear instructions and adapting your communication style to meet diverse needs.
3. Learning – Considering how each child can demonstrate their understanding in a way that works for them.
4. Assessment - Highlighting the importance of formative assessments and adapting your approach based on real-time feedback.
5. Closure – Using the last five minutes for evaluation, summarising what has been learned, and preparing students for a smooth transition to the next lesson.

View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!

About Sara Alston

Sara Alston has over 38 years teaching experience as a classroom teacher, school leader, SENCO and DSL and is now an independent SEND and Safeguarding Consultant and Trainer. She provides support and training to schools for special needs and safeguarding.

She is the co-author of The Inclusive Classroom: A New Approach to Differentiation (Bloomsbury, 2021) and author of Working Effectively with Your TA (Bloomsbury, 2023). She writes regular articles for SecEd and Headteacher Update.

Contact Sara

www.seainclusion.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/seainclusion.co.uk/

[email protected]

Useful Links

The Inclusive Classroom book

Working Effectively with your TA book

• 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 SENDcast is powered by B Squared

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.

It can be difficult to understand exactly how much we use our senses for all daily tasks.

Today, Dale discusses the fascinating world of sensory processing with our special guest, Ali Neal, an experienced occupational therapist. She discusses how sensory processing impacts daily life, particularly for children and individuals in educational settings.

Ali takes us through a fun and relatable exercise involving sweets, illustrating how sensory processing plays a role in even the simplest tasks. Make sure you grab a sweet before tuning in (a great excuse to enjoy a treat)!

Ali breaks down the steps involved in enjoying the sweet, from unwrapping it to savouring the taste. She highlights what can go wrong in this process when sensory information isn't processed effectively.

View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!

About Ali Neal

Ali Neal is a specialist Occupational Therapist with advanced training in sensory processing. She runs School Sensory Solutions which provides regular and cost effective training for all educators supporting SEN and neurodivergent pupils in schools via an online learning platform. Ali prides herself in finding solutions to everyday problems experienced by children and young people at school that actually work and supporting teachers to incorporate these in their already busy days.

Ali presents regularly at national level on the topic of Occupational Therapy and sensory processing for a number of organisations across the country including at both The Autism Show and The OT Show. She has written a book on Sensory Movement Breaks and has written an award winning program for developing motor skills for children with special educational needs.

Contact Ali

www.schoolsensorysolutions.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/SchoolSensorySolutions/

ali@schoolsensorysolutions

https://www.linkedin.com/company/school-sensory-solutions/

Useful Links

School Sensory Solutions training membership

Sensory movement breaks

101 sensory circuit activities

• 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 SENDcast is powered by B Squared

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.

Navigating the SEND system can be overwhelming, and many parents find themselves without essential information until it's too late. Unfortunately, there's no handbook to guide us. Often, parents only begin to understand SEN processes, the graduated approach, and even SEN law when their child is already struggling.

This week, we welcome Samantha Ryan, a neurodivergent mother, SEND advocate, and author. In this insightful episode, Samantha shares her journey as a parent navigating the complex SEND system, advocating for her autistic son who has been out of school since March 2024. With her unique perspective, she discusses the emotional challenges faced by parents and the critical importance of being informed about the SEND process.

Key highlights from their discussion:

• The significance of understanding the assess, plan, do, review (APDR) cycle and how it impacts your child's educational journey.
• Practical advice on how parents can work collaboratively with schools to ensure their children's needs are met.
• The importance of early intervention and how informed parents can help prevent crises before they escalate.
• Insight into the emotional toll of navigating the SEND system and the need for a supportive community.

Samantha's experiences and insights can empower parents and educators alike to create a more inclusive environment for all children with SEND.

View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!

About Samantha Ryan

I am a neurodivergent mother, informal SEND advocate, and author of SEND Help! and A Parent's Guide to SEND Life and Law (although my day job is Global Process Owner working in Finance process and systems for ITV).

My son is autistic, PDA and probable ADHD. He hit burnout at school in March 2024 and was left with trauma after being restrained during a mental health crisis. He has been out of education since that fateful day. I have been fighting for support and continue to battle through the SEND support system.

I spent a year as co-admin helping to grow the Facebook group SEN Parent Support Group which was setup by Andrea Dixon-Boldy in February 2024 and was at 19,000 members by the time I left the group in May this year. Over that time, I did my IPSEA SEN law training for parents, created hundreds of resources breaking down SEN processes, designed and delivered training to hundreds of parents and offered parent-to-parent support alongside our amazing team of volunteers.

I am passionate about empowering families with the knowledge they deserve before they reach crisis point.

Contact Samantha

https://linktr.ee/samantharyansendnd

https://www.facebook.com/Sam.MentallyHilariousMum/

https://www.tiktok.com/@sam_mhm

Useful Links

Available on Amazon:

Parent's Guide to SEND Life and Law :

Amazon.com: PARENT'S GUIDE TO SEND LIFE & LAW: Rights, reality, resilience & resistance: A Parent's Survival Guide to SEND Law, Life, and the Support That Saves Us eBook : Ryan, Samantha: Kindle Store

SEND Help! A Parent's Toolkit to Navigating SEND Processes

SEND Help!: A Parent's Toolkit to Navigating SEND Process eBook : Ryan, Samantha: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

• 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 SENDcast is powered by B Squared

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.

Have you heard of the TV show The Assembly? I'm thrilled to announce that the series director, Céin McGillicuddy and his creative partner Andy Kinnear, have joined Dale on the podcast to discuss their brand-new pilot show on ITV – Play Time!

Play Time features six neurodivergent comedians visiting a primary school and are challenged, in the course of one school day, to create and perform an original stage play that's based entirely on the ideas of a group of 6 to 8 year old school children, many of them from the school's SEND department.

Céin and Andy share their behind-the-scenes experience of creating Play Time, their inspiration for the show and why they feel it's important to make inclusive shows like this. Positive representation of SEND in mainstream media, such as Play Time, helps normalise these experiences and reduces the sense of 'other' often associated with SEND.

"Play Time is about listening to children that don't usually get heard."

The show is now available on ITVX and YouTube and will be broadcast on ITV tonight at 11.15pm. Make sure you watch this heart-warming, feel-good show. We hope you enjoy watching it as much as we did! Please tell your friends and family and spread the word!

View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!

Watch the show on

ITVx, YouTube or ITV

Live on ITV

Sunday 9th November at 11.15pm

Watch the Trailer here: https://vimeo.com/1122234831/b93216bdcb

Would you like Play Time to come to your school?

If anyone listening likes the idea of the comedians visiting their school in a future episode, no matter where in the UK you are, please do feel free to drop Céin an email on [email protected].

About Céin McGillicuddy

Céin McGillicuddy is the comedy writer/director behind comedies Top Coppers, Sexy Murder and Law Man as well as the director of the most recent two series of the BAFTA winning Horrible Histories. Working across both scripted and unscripted, Céin was also the showrunner and series director behind the return of cult hit GamesMaster in 2021 as well as series directing the bold new interview series The Assembly on ITV. Following a late-stage diagnosis for autism, he was inspired to combine his work in comedy and on The Assembly to co-create Play Time; a brand new, charming comedy entertainment format that champions neurodivergent adults and children. Out now on ITVX and YouTube.

About Andy Kinnear

Andy Kinnear is a freelance comedy Editor and writer. A 15 year editing career working on Bafta winning Comedy and Entertainment from Facejacker and Derren Brown, through to scripted comedy such as Harry & Paul, Trying, Cuckoo, Here We Go and Smoggie Queens has established him as one of the most sought after Editors in the industry. His writing partnership with Céin Mcgillicuddy includes cult hit Top Coppers, Sexy Murder and Law Man and their most recent collaboration: Play Time - a brand new, charming comedy entertainment format that champions neurodivergent adults and children. Out now on ITVX and YouTube.

Contact Céin

http://www.nannycaddie.co.uk/

http://www.cein.co.uk

https://www.instagram.com/ceinmcg/

[email protected]

Contact Andy

http://www.nannycaddie.co.uk/

http://www.andykinnear.com/

[email protected]

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

The SENDcast is powered by B Squared

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.

In this week's episode, Dr Sue Jennings, a leading expert in neuro-dramatic play and drama therapy, joins Dale to explore Neuro-Dramatic-Play (NDP). Sue explains that NDP is an attachment-based approach designed to help children, particularly those with negative early experiences, build connections through play. She emphasises the critical role of early attachment, noting that it begins even before birth and is essential for healthy emotional development. Sue shares her incredible stories having worked across over 30 countries, including her time living with a tribal community in Malaysia.

Dale and Sue explore three main types of play: rhythmic play, which promotes calm and connection through structured activities; messy play, which encourages exploration and experimentation, vital for cognitive and social development; and dramatic play, allowing children to express emotions and process experiences in a safe environment. Sue also highlights the importance of creating safe spaces for children, especially during transitions and periods of change.

"I think too often children are being treated like little grown-ups rather than as children."

Dr Sue Jennings

View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!

About Dr Sue Jennings

Early career in theatre as dancer and actor; innovator Neuro-Dramatic-Play (NDP) and Dramatherapy in the UK, Greece, Romania, Malaysia, China, India. Doctoral research in Malaysian rain forest, living with tribal people for 18 mths, with my 3 children. NDP training courses on line for participants from over 30 countries. Passionate about healthy early child development. Published over 50 books on NDP, drama, play, therapeutic play and drama, storytelling, attachment

Contact Sue

www.ndpltd.org

https://www.facebook.com/NDPTherapy/

[email protected]

Useful Links

Handbook of neuro-dramatic-play

Healthy Attachments and Neuro-Dramatic-Play

• 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 SENDcast is powered by B Squared

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 mainstream school environment can be overwhelming for many neurodivergent students, with sensory overload and social challenges often creating significant barriers to learning. Today, we explore an alternative educational pathway that removes these obstacles – a 'Specialist Online Provision for Neurodivergent Learners'.

In this episode, Dale speaks to Cathy Wassall, founder and CEO of the Autistic Girls Network and the Haven Online School. Cathy, a neurodivergent advocate and mother to neurodivergent young adults, shares her journey and insights into how online education can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for learners.

Key topics covered:

• Understanding Autism in Girls: Cathy discusses the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent girls, particularly how autism often presents in an internalised manner, leading to late diagnoses and struggles in school.
• Personalised Learning Environment: Online schools allow students to learn at their own pace and in a setting that suits their sensory needs, reducing anxiety and distractions.
• Flexible Curriculum: The Haven School offers a mainstream curriculum tailored to individual interests, enabling students to engage deeply with subjects they are passionate about.
• Enhanced Autonomy: Students have the freedom to choose how they learn, fostering independence and self-advocacy skills.
• Supportive Community: Online platforms provide a safe space where neurodivergent learners can connect with peers who understand their experiences, reducing feelings of isolation.

View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!

About Cathy Wassell

Founder of Autistic Girls Network charity and The Haven online school for neurodivergent girls and non-binary young people. Neurodivergent mum to neurodivergent young adults. Author of Nurturing Your Autistic Young Person Plenty of experience of typical SEND parent battles.

Contact Cathy

http://www.autisticgirlsnetwork.org

https://www.facebook.com/AutisticGirlsNetwork

https://www.instagram.com/AutisticGirlsNetwork

[email protected]

Useful Links

Nurturing Your Young Autistic Person Book

Workshops for families

• 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 SENDcast is powered by B Squared

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.

With ADHD awareness month upon us, we wanted to discuss the important topic of 'the experiences of girls in school with diagnosed/undiagnosed ADHD'. In this episode, Louise Belshaw, who has ADHD and is a mother to two adult children with the condition, shares her extensive experience as a secondary teacher and her specialisation in ADHD in females. She highlights that:

"I've seen too many girls not get the diagnosis, or not go forward with the diagnosis, because they're not being supported by school and the teachers don't know what ADHD in girls looks like".

Together, Dale and Louise explore:

• The unique presentation of ADHD in girls vs boys
• Challenges of identity, control, and friendship among neurodiverse females
• Societal expectations on girls' behaviour and self-perception
• The importance of understanding masking and people-pleasing tendencies
• Strategies for educators and parents to support girls with ADHD

Louise emphasises the need for greater awareness and tailored support for girls, especially during secondary school. This episode sheds light on the complexities of ADHD in females and offers valuable insights.

View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!

About Louise Belshaw

I'm Louise Belshaw BA Hons, PGCE, MSc. CALC. I'm a certified ADHD life coach with a Masters degree in Psychology.

My expertise is grounded in both professional training and lived experience. I'm also a mum to two children with ADHD, so I understand first hand the everyday challenges that ADHD can bring at home, at school, and during the often tricky transitions into adulthood.

I know how much of a difference it makes to feel heard and understood. I've been fortunate to receive support from people who truly understood me and my children, but I've also experienced the distress of seeing my child's needs overlooked by professionals. This is why I'm so passionate about making sure others don't feel as alone or unsupported.

Before becoming a coach, I spent over 25 years as a secondary school teacher and department head. During that time, I saw first-hand what helped young people with ADHD to thrive in the classroom - and what didn't. I also worked closely with parents and teachers who often felt unsure how best to support these students, despite their care and good intentions. Again and again, I saw how much difference the right understanding, strategies, and guidance could make.

This experience led me to create The ADHD Teacher, an online service offering coaching, mentoring, and consultancy to empower individuals with ADHD and the people who support them.

My mission is to help you gain the tools, knowledge, and confidence to thrive. Whether you are a young person with ADHD, a parent seeking support, or an educator looking for expert guidance, I am here to help you turn challenges into real opportunities for growth.

Contact Louise

www.the-adhd-teacher.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/the.adhd.teacher.understanding.experience.support/

https://www.instagram.com/the_adhd_teacher

https://x.com/lublub15

www.linkedin.com/in/theadhdteacherwww.linkedin.com/in/theadhdteacher

[email protected]

Useful Links

A summary of an Interpretative Phenomenological Study into the Experiences of Secondary School in Women with Undiagnosed ADHD

Further ADHD Resources available to you

October is ADHD awareness month and the SENDcast are proud to join in solidarity to celebrate and provide resources to improve awareness! Check out other FREE podcasts and our CPD training sessions... Supporting ADHD awareness month 2025

• 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 SENDcast is powered by B Squared

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.