Table of Contents Understanding Low Arousal Environments Before we dive into the specifics, it’s important to define what we mean by a “low arousal environment.” At its core, such an environment minimises sensory, cognitive, and emotional overstimulation. This can be achieved through a variety of methods, including controlling physical elements like light and sound, managing … Read more
Developmental Delay: Early Detection and Intervention Child development proceeds rapidly in the first few years of life as critical cognitive, language and motor skills emerge. As such, the early years represent a crucial period for the detection and mitigation of potential developmental delay. Extensive research has shown that the earlier interventions can begin for children … Read more
Evidence-Based Use of Multi-Sensory Rooms in Schools Multi-Sensory rooms in schools are a fantastic resource but often represent a significant investment in space and money. Inclusive education is a cornerstone of modern society, and special needs teachers play a vital role in ensuring that every student receives the support they need to thrive academically and … Read more
A Guide to Vocal Stimming and Autism As a parent to Autistic children and an SEN teacher, it’s essential to raise awareness and understanding about the different aspects of autism (ASD). One such aspect is “vocal stimming,” a term that refers to self-stimulatory behaviours exhibited by autistic individuals, it may also be called verbal stimming. … Read more
What is Dyspraxia? Dyspraxia, also known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), is a neurological condition that affects physical coordination and can impact a child’s fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and planning abilities. These challenges can affect a child’s performance and wellbeing in various areas, including academic achievement, social interaction, and daily life skills. Children … Read more
Sleep Issues and Autism: A Guide for Teachers, SENCOs and Parents Sleep plays a crucial role in child development and daily functioning. However, for children with Autism (ASD), achieving consistent, restful sleep can be a challenge. Understanding the intersection of autism and sleep issues is essential for educators, as it can have significant impacts on … Read more
What to do on a Windy Day Activities For EYFS and SEN Don’t let the wind keep your children inside. If you are wondering what to do on a windy day turn it into an opportunity for outdoor learning fun with these 19 windy day activities. These projects will have all your students laughing and … Read more
Working Effectively with Teaching Assistants in Inclusive Classrooms As the UK’s educational framework increasingly recognises the importance of personalised and inclusive learning, the role of Teaching Assistants (TAs) has become increasingly important. In the drive to provide a richer learning experience, the effective deployment of TAs can indeed make a significant difference.The EEF’s SEND Guidance … Read more
Effective SENCO: Impact on School Culture Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) play a critical role in ensuring that every student in their school receives the support they need to thrive. In order to be effective, SENCOs must not only be experts in their field, but also have the ability to influence and drive change across … Read more
Things To Know About the Role of a SENCO What is a SENCO? A SENCo, which stands for Special Educational Needs Coordinator, is the key leader in supporting students with special educational needs and/or disabilities at their primary or secondary school. The SENCo works to ensure these students receive the right teaching and learning support … Read more
Embed Communication Devices in All Your Lessons Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices are becoming increasingly common in classrooms as technology advances. These devices, whether simple picture boards or sophisticated speech-generating tablets, allow students with communication difficulties to express themselves. As a teacher, you play a crucial role in ensuring students can use AAC devices … Read more
Sensory Processing Differences and Classroom Design ‘Sensory processing’ refers to how a person’s nervous system responds to sensory information and how they react to it. autistic individuals often find it challenging to prioritise the stimuli to process in their environment, making it difficult to focus on a single stimulus. Atypical sensory processing in autism involves … Read more
Autism and Clumsiness: Why Does my Child Keep Falling Over? Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a developmental disorder that affects children and adults in a whole range of ways. It is known as a “spectrum” disorder because its symptoms and severity vary among those who have it. I really liked Donna William’s Autism … Read more
This Alien sensory story continues our “You Might be” series of simple sensory based stories that are based around a single character concept. Your learner can dress up as the character or just explore each element. You can easily create an immersive sensory space for Aliens by lighting up the room red and green or … Read more
Effective Interventions for Pupils with SEN: What Does the Evidence Say? Providing effective support and high quality interventions for pupils with SEN (special educational needs and disabilities) can be challenging. However, research shows that evidence-based interventions tailored to pupils’ specific needs and implemented with fidelity can narrow the achievement gap. The following principles and interventions represent … Read more
Understanding Sensory Overload in Children with SPD When a child with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) becomes overwhelmed and overstimulated, having a toolkit of proven strategies can make all the difference. These sensory processing disorder classroom strategies and home interventions have been shared by parents and carers who support children with SPD daily. Whether you’re implementing … Read more
The 5 Best Free Online Autism Courses for Teaching Assistants in 2023 A common question I am asked on our Facebook page is “What are the Best Free Autism Courses for Teaching Assistants?” I will share the professional development courses our TA’s have been accessing this year. There is a lot of evidence about effective … Read more
Definition of inclusive education We have discussed Inclusive education many times on inclusiveteach.com. Currently I am taking part in the Inclusion Leadership project for Kent County Council so have been reflecting on this more and more. Each school needs to determine what inclusion means to them, this shared vision for inclusion should be based on … Read more
The Importance of Classroom Routines for UK Teachers and ECTs: Supporting Pupils with Special Educational Needs Classroom routines play a crucial role in creating an effective learning environment, particularly for pupils with special educational needs (SEN). The Early Career Framework highlights the importance of establishing and reinforcing routines in promoting positive behaviours and fostering a … Read more
Attention-Seeking Behaviour or Connection Seeking? When it comes to understanding the social and emotional development of young children, attachment theory has long been a cornerstone of both research and practice. Developed by British psychologist John Bowlby in the mid-20th century, the theory posits that the quality of the early relationships between children and their primary … Read more
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