education, sensory

Life Skills Sensory Stories

Here you will find all our life skill linked sensory stories. Unlike some of our other stories these are written to meet a specific element of the skills a child will need as they grow up to enhance their level of independence. Written for stage rather than age these rhyming sensory stories should engage most… Continue reading Life Skills Sensory Stories

Autism, behaviour, education

Sensory Processing: Creating a First Aid Kit

This post on sensory processing was inspired by a talk I attended by Olga Bogdishana. You can find the slides from her presentation on "Making sense of Sensory Needs and Challenging Behaviour" here. She has also written this book which gives a deeper insight into sensory perceptual issues. Sensory processing is a key part of… Continue reading Sensory Processing: Creating a First Aid Kit

Special education PE and Autism
Autism, education

Invisible Hurdles: PE and SEND

Some hurdles you can jump, you can see them, some are higher than others but generally the strategies and skills needed to complete the race are straightforward. Now for some of our students overcoming the hurdles needed to take part in that activity are huge and varied. When getting students with a range of needs… Continue reading Invisible Hurdles: PE and SEND

My Awesome Autism book review
Autism, books, education, Guest Post

My Awesome Autism: Author Interview

Nikky Saunders wrote My Awesome Autism about a little boy named Eddie as he shares his findings about his autism and teaches his readers in a cheerful playful way! Eddie helps all children learn about their autism diagnosis and how “we are all different!”. This can be a huge relief for the child to understand that they are truly wonderful as they are.

inclusive education quote
Autism, behaviour, Blogs, education, inclusion, research, special education, Teaching

Engaging the failed Autistic Learner.

this post is specifically focused on strategies that may be effective for autistic children. This post draws heavily on the work of Damian Milton from who's writing I have learnt so much from over the last year or two. This booklet has particularly shaped my approach to teaching. Most of these strategies are really just aimed at reducing stressors throughout the day. I would like to stress these are interpreted through by teaching experience and context is very important.

autism transition guide
Autism, behaviour, education, inclusion, special education, special needs, Teaching

The Ultimate Guide to Transitions.

A Guide to supporting transitions and changes with Autistic students within school. Transition is a challenge that our students face on a daily basis. These transitions take place on a range of scales. From the micro transition of switching thoughts between tasks to major physical transitions between environments. The number of individual transitions an individual will undertake throughout the day is huge. Each one may well be a source of stress and anxiety for each student. The level of this anxiety and how it is communicated to us will vary dramatically. As with all the actions of our students this stress may not be easy for us to interpret. The quotes are from Autistic people I asked but are anonymised. I know I do not include enough Autistic voice, I will strive to expand this in future posts (I would welcome your comments.)

The Reason I jump Lessons learned from Noaki HIgasidas book on autism
Autism, education, inclusion, special education, special needs

What I learned from “The Reason I Jump.”

Written by the then 13 year old Naoki Higashida an Autistic young man from Japan The reason I jump is a fascinating insight into his views on how Autism has shaped his perspective of life. The book answers a series of questions put to Noaki which he answers using an alphabet grid devised by his mother.