As a dedicated teacher in the U.K., my passion lies in nurturing young minds and helping every child reach their full potential. However, the reality of catering to the diverse needs of students, particularly those with Special Educational Needs (SEN), within the constraints of the current education system, is a daunting challenge. I will tell … Read more
Autism, ADHD Stimming and Neurotypical Children: A Guide for Teachers Stimming, also known as self-stimulatory behaviour, is common among autistic individuals and those with ADHD. Repetitive movements or sounds serve important purposes for autistic people. This article looks at what stimming is, why it occurs, and how it can be supported in autistic children and … Read more
Methods for Gaining Pupil Voice from Children with Speech, Language, and Communication Needs The recognition of children’s voices has become increasingly imperative in contemporary educational discourse. Shifting social, cultural, and political landscapes, alongside legal mandates such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, underscore the necessity of involving children, particularly those with … Read more
Collaborating for Success: Strategies and Best Practices for Efficient Partnership Working to Improve SEND Outcomes Collaboration is key to improving outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). However, it can be challenging to establish effective partnerships across education, health, and care services. In this article, we will explore some … Read more
Tuff Tray Sensory Ideas and Teaching Activities for EYFS on Kindness Kindness is one of the most important values that we can teach our children, especially in these challenging times. Kindness means being friendly, generous, and considerate of others, as well as ourselves. Kindness can make a positive difference in our lives and in the … Read more
Autistic Children and Education in the UK Autism and education is a topic that has been receiving a lot of attention and research in recent years, as more children and young people are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and more families and educators seek to provide them with the best possible support and inclusive … Read more
Why is learning about accessibility important for teachers? We are all teachers of SEN and understanding accessibility is a core part of that. Learning about accessibility is essential for teachers because it helps them provide equitable and inclusive education for all students, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. Accessibility means ensuring that everyone can access, … Read more
Research on Hybrid Learning for Inclusive Education in Indonesia When I was researching our last article on Hybrid learning one of the few studies I could find was from Jakarta. Titled “Analysis of Hybrid Learning for Students with Learning Disabilities in Primary Schools Providing Inclusive Education” this research delves into the experiences of teachers navigating … Read more
What is Kolb’s Learning Cycle and how can this inform effective classroom practice? David Kolb’s Learning Cycle is a comprehensive framework that provides insights into how individuals learn and can inform effective classroom practice. Developed by David Kolb in his Experiential Learning Theory (ELT) in 1984, this learning cycle emphasizes the importance of direct experience … Read more
Tips for Designing Educational Activities To Reduce Processing/Cognitive Load As an experienced special needs teacher in the United Kingdom, I have learned that it is crucial to design activities that meet the specific cognitive load and processing requirements of my students. There have been discussions about autistic energy and Spoon Theory. This seems to relate … Read more
Introduction to Cognitive Science and SEN Cognitive science is the interdisciplinary study of how the mind works, drawing on insights from psychology, neuroscience, education, and other fields. It investigates the mental processes and structures that underlie human cognition, such as memory, perception, attention, reasoning, problem-solving, and language. By understanding how the mind works, cognitive science … Read more
Inclusive drama activities are those that involve and engage students with special educational needs (SEN) in creative and collaborative ways. Some we have included 8 examples of inclusive drama activities for SEN pupils (UK) and a link to a free sample of 101 Drama Games Book which will give you 20 more. Adapting a Drama … Read more
What Research Says About High Expectations and SEN Special Educational Needs (SEN) is a term that encompasses a wide range of learning difficulties, disabilities, and conditions that make it harder for children to learn than most children of the same age. These needs can be broad, ranging from physical disabilities, cognitive impairments, emotional and behavioural … Read more
How Sand Timers Can Help Autistic Children One tool that can help autistic children to deal with time-related issues is a sand timer. A sand timer is a simple device that consists of two glass bulbs connected by a narrow tube, filled with sand that flows from one bulb to the other. Sand timers can … Read more
10 Special Education Teaching Styles & Approaches Special education is a broad term that encompasses the provision of education for pupils with special educational needs (SEN). SEN can include learning difficulties, physical disabilities, sensory impairments, communication disorders, emotional and behavioural difficulties, and autism spectrum disorders. According to the 2001 SEN Code of Practice, there are … Read more
Supporting Children with Speech and Language Impairments in the Classroom Communication is a critical life skill that allows us to express our needs, build relationships, exchange information, and make sense of the world around us. For children with Speech and Language Impairments, developing strong communication abilities is essential not just for academic success, but for … Read more
What is Executive Functioning? Executive functioning refers to the cognitive processes that enable us to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks successfully. It includes skills like working memory, mental flexibility, and self-control. Students rely on these skills to regulate their behaviour, organise their thoughts, and problem-solve. Executive functioning skills start developing in … Read more
How To Answer: What qualities can you bring to our nursery? Working in an early childhood education setting like a nursery school requires a specific set of skills and qualities tailored to engaging with and educating young learners. During a nursery assistant interview, candidates will likely be asked some version of “What qualities can you … Read more
Removing Barriers to Inclusion: Making Our Schools More Inclusive As educational leaders, inclusion should be our top priority. However, multiple systemic obstacles still prevent equitable learning environments for all. In this article, I will analyse predominant barriers to inclusion, propose evidence-based solutions, and address common questions around transforming our schools into communities where every child … Read more
Infantilizing Autism & Autistic Adults There are many misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding autism in society today. One of the most pervasive and harmful is the myth that autism solely affects children. From nonprofit organizations to the media and even policymakers, the narrative around autism is overwhelmingly child-centric. Autism has become infantilized in the public consciousness, … Read more
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