In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Podcast Georgina Durrant chats to Sarah Johnson all about SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs). They discuss what SEMH means and how teachers can best support children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs. In this episode Sarah provides advice and information specifically on anxiety, Emotionally Based School Avoidances (EBSA), phobias, social anxiety and situational mutism.

Useful resources linked to this episode:

• Supporting Children with Emotionally Based School Avoidance CPD Video
• Emotional Self-Regulation and Co-Regulation: What are they, and how can we use them with learners with SEND?
• Emotional Triggers: What Pushes My Buttons Chart and Activity

Sarah Johnson's Website

Sarah Johnson's Books

There are more children with DLD (Developmental Language Disorder) than there are autistic children and dyslexic children, yet DLD is still relatively unknown. In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast, Georgina Durrant speaks to Louise Burton from Speech and Language Link to find out what DLD is, its impacts and what schools can do to support children and young people with DLD. 

DLD resources:

Developmental Language Disorder Activity Pack

Development Language Disorder (DLD) Mind Map

Language Disorder Mind Map

Relevant links:

Speech and Language Link

RADLD

NAPLIC

In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast, Georgina Durrant is joined by returning guest Nikki Saunders, who shares the exciting news that her Children’s Books (The Eddie Series) aimed at families of autistic children have now become a Children’s TV series on Sky Kids!

 ‘Ready Eddie Go!’ follows 6-year-old Eddie who is autistic, as he navigates everyday real-life experiences for the very first time, everything from getting his hair cut to trying new food. During the podcast, Nikki Saunders discusses the importance of representation of autistic children on TV and taking a neuro-affirming approach. She shares a clip of the programme and explains how each episode, like a social situation, gives children strategies to manage new and different experiences. 

Ready Eddie Go! Resources to download for your home or classroom:

Sensory and Emotional Awareness Activities

Visual Timetable

My 'Ask for Help' Phrases

Explaining Autism to My Friends

Previous podcast episode with Nikki Saunders

In this 'Back to School' episode, Georgina Durrant is joined by Dr Emma Kell, who shares fantastic, practical advice about teacher/SENDCO wellbeing. They discuss the importance of well-being not being an 'add on' but woven through the school culture. They also chat about the common causes of stress for teachers (including Ofsted) and Emma's top tips for surviving teaching without 'imploding, exploding or walking away'.

Relevant resources linked to this episode:

• Staff Wellbeing in School Pack of Resources
• Staff Wellbeing: You Are Not Superhuman
• Staff Wellbeing: Self-Assessment and Evaluation Tool
• Dr Emma Kell's website (includes links to her books)

*Content Warning: This episode of SEND in the experts discusses topics which some listeners may find distressing.

In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast, Georgina Durrant chats to Robert White. Robert White describes himself as ‘the only Asperger, gay, dyslexic, cross-lateral, quarter- welsh, webbed-toed, hyper- sensitive, Gluten-intolerant, pseudo-genius, musical comedian there is…. Probably’ and you probably know him from his hilarious performances on Britain’s Got Talent in 2018 where he gained second place. Robert discusses the difficulties he faced growing up as an undiagnosed autistic and dyslexic child and reflects on the support that school could have provided to help him.

Useful resources linked to this episode:

• Supporting Pupils on the Autism Spectrum CPD Training Pack
• CPD: Supporting Autistic Pupils to Thrive
• Supporting Pupils with Dyslexia CPD Training Complete Pack
• Robert White's Website

In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disability Podcast, Georgina Durrant chats to Louisa Reeves from the charity Speech and Language UK (formerly ICAN). Louisa provides an overview of the various Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) (including Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)). She explains how to identify children with SLCN in the classroom, the process for formal diagnosis and what teachers can do to support these children in school.

Relevant Resources Linked to this episode:

• Free Speech and Language Teaching Pack

• Free Speech and Language Speech Sound Intervention Boost Taster Pack

• Speech and Language Concerns Checklist

• SLCN - Language Development INSET PowerPoint Pack

• Speech and Language Uk's Website

In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast. Georgina Durrant chats to Tina Coope, education lead of PANS/PANDAS UK - the only UK charity supporting children and families living with the neuropsychiatric conditions PANS and PANDAS.

PANS and PANDAS are a set of acute onset neuropsychiatric conditions that may include the development of OCD, tics or severe eating restrictions, alongside cognitive, behavioural and neurological symptoms. 

They can cause severe difficulties with learning, attending school and being able to do age-appropriate activities.

Tina explains what PANS/PANDAS are, the impact they can have on children, the importance of spotting early signs and how teachers can support children with PANS/PANDAS in the classroom.

Relevant Resources & Links

• PANS and PANDAS Information and CPD Pack

• Article about PANS and PANDAS

• Hidden Disabilities Mind Map
• Home & School: Spotting the Early Signs of PANS/PANDAS

In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast. Georgina Durrant chats to deaf activist, Samantha Baines, a multi award-winning author, actress and broadcaster. She is the author of critically acclaimed children's books with Deaf main characters. You may recognise her from appearances on ITV's Loose Women, Sky News and Andrew Neil's This Week or acting roles in Netflix’s The Crown, Call the Midwife, Silent Witness and Magic Mike Live (directed by Channing Tatum). She is a regular on BBC radio stations.

They discuss tinnitus, hearing aids, British Sign Language (BSL) and her experience of being deaf. Samantha also provides really useful advice for teachers on how to support D/deaf children and young people in the classroom.

Full Transcript Available here: Click on the 'More Downloads' option to find the Transcript version

Resources linked to this episode:

• British Sign Language BSL Greetings Display Pack
• Deaf Awareness Resource Pack
• Being Part of a Deaf Community Activity Pack
• Samantha Baines' Website (including links to her books)

In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast, SEND in the Experts with Georgina Durrant, Georgina Durrant chats to Suzy Rowland. Suzy is an author, Autism & ADHD Specialist and Speaker and founder of the #happyinschool project. Georgina and Suzy discuss Neurodiversity, Race and Exclusions.

Relevant Resources & Articles:

• What is Neurodiversity? CPD.
• Autism - Spotting the Signs and Developing Classroom Strategies - Inclusion CPD.
• SEND in the Experts with Georgina Durrant Podcast Episode 2: Anxious Non-attenders with Catrina Lowri

In this special episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast. Georgina Durrant discusses the SEND & AP Improvement Plan with Claire Coutinho. Claire Coutinho is Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for children, families and wellbeing).

They discuss the problems the SEND review identified with the current SEND system and the changes the government is planning to make to improve SEND support and services for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities as part of the SEND & AP Improvement Plan.

Further reading & resources:

• 'Over £10 billion to be invested in SEND and AP by 2024' Article on the SEND & AP Improvement Plan by Lauren Brown
• 'What do parents think about the government’s SEND reforms?' Article by Lucy Carman
• SEND & AP Improvement Plan (link to government website)

In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast, SEND in the Experts with Georgina Durrant Klaudia Matasovska discusses the intersection between LGBT+ and SEND. Klaudia Matasovska is an Associate Lecturer in Education, Inclusion and SEND at the University of Derby. She also works as a researcher at Goldsmiths, University of London. She is a doctoral student in the Department of Educational Studies at Goldsmiths, University of London. Her research centres around LGBT+ inclusion with pupils with SEND.

Relevant Resources & Articles:

• How Can We Teach LGBT+ History Month With Learners with SEND?
• LGBTQ+ Definition Matching Cards
• Child-Friendly Explanations for LGBT+ Terms

In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast, SEND in the Experts with Georgina Durrant. Georgina Durrant chats to Sara Alston about how to work effectively with teaching assistants and how to create an inclusive classroom.

Relevant Resources & Articles:

Guide to Effective Differentiation in the Classroom

Top Tips for Working with Other Adults in the Classroom

SEND in the Experts episode with Abigail Gray about Inclusion

*Content Warning: This episode of SEND in the experts discusses topics which some listeners may find distressing.

In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast, SEND in the Experts with Georgina Durrant. Georgina Durrant chats to Shaun Flores about his lived experience of having OCD. Shaun explains what OCD is, the impacts it can have on people's lives and provides advice for schools on how to support children and young people with OCD.

Relevant Resources & Articles:

• 'Are you OCD Aware?' Teacher Guidance A4 Poster
• Spotting the Signs - When might 'Quirks' become OCD? (Article)
• The effect of OCD on families: A Sibling's Story (Article)
• OCD Action Website
• OCD UK

In this Christmas Special episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast, Georgina Durrant is joined by autistic comedian Elora Dodd to talk about all things Christmas! Elora shares her lived experience of being autistic and provides useful advice about helping autistic children navigate the festive period. Make sure you listen! Elora is an autistic comedian with half a million followers online. You can find her under her name, or her Digital pseudonym “Online 1 Room Schoolhouse”

Links to relevant resources to help autistic children over the festive period:

• Guide for Parents: Supporting Your Autistic Child at Christmastime

• Visual Timetable for Christmas Day

• School Christmas Performance Social Situation

In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast, Georgina Durrant chats to Mel Fisher from Thrive all about Trauma-Sensitive (Trauma Informed) approaches. They discuss why behaviour is communication, why trauma-informed approaches benefit children, common misconceptions of trauma informed approaches and much much more.

Relevant resources:

• Thrive website
• CPD - Developing Trauma Informed Approaches
• Lanyard-Sized Restorative Conversation Prompts
• CPD - Developing Restorative Practise

In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast 'SEND in the experts with Georgina Durrant', Georgina Durrant chats to Nana Marfo a disability advocate who speaks on the issues faced by disabled people within the labor market and in general society. Nana's fight for a voice and presence all stem from his own experience living with a permanent tracheostomy tube that enables him to breath and talk.

Resources linked to this episode:

• Disability Awareness Powerpoint https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1l0p8m
• Education Health Care Plan Information Resource Pack https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1188d8
• International Day of Persons with Disabilities Activity Pack https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/10xm5x

In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast 'SEND in the experts with Georgina Durrant', Georgina Durrant chats to Kim Griffin an occupational therapist and founder of GriffinOT. They chat about the role of an Occupational Therapist (OT), what is meant by sensory processing differences, dyspraxia and much more!

Resources linked to this episode:

• Identifying Sensory Needs- Adult Guidance and Checklist
• Movement Break Cards
• Dyspraxia Strategies and Information

Kim's website can be found here GriffinOT website

Her Crocodile Snap video that we discussed on her Youtube Channel can be found here.

In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast 'SEND in the experts with Georgina Durrant', Georgina Durrant chats to Helen Evans (Chief Executive of the PDA Society) and Jilly Davis (Education Advisor at the PDA Society) all about Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA).

Resources on Twinkl to support learners with a PDA Profile:

• Top Tips For Supporting PDA in the Classroom
• What is PDA? (Adult Guidance)
• PDA Mind map (Adult Guidance)

Link to the PDA Society : https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/

Link to the PANDA approaches mentioned in the podcast episode: https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/resources/helpful-approaches-infographic/

In this special episode of SEND in the experts with Georgina Durrant, Georgina chats to Dr Helen Ross, Conservative MP Matt Hancock and Labour MP Sharon Hodgson about the Dyslexia Screening Bill that proposes that all children are screened for dyslexia by the end of primary school.

Resources on Twinkl to support learners with Dyslexia:

• Dyslexia Intervention: Simple Reading Comprehension - Complete Pack
• Supporting Dyslexia in KS2 Resource Pack
• Dyslexia Reading Fluency Intervention Complete Pack

In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast, Georgina Durrant is joined by the inspirational Musharaf Asghar. Musharaf Asghar captured the hearts of the nation in 2013 when, as a schoolboy, he appeared on our screens in the award-winning Channel 4 series Educating Yorkshire. Musharaf, also known as Mushy, joined the series to raise awareness of stammering. Mushy sprang onto our screens at the age of 16. Now 25, he is a keynote speaker, journalist and sports writer. Georgina asks Mushy about what it was like growing up with a stammer, his time on Educating Yorkshire and how he is continuing to raise awareness of stammering.

Resources on Twinkl to support learners with a stammer:

• Stammering: How to Help.
• What is it like to stammer?
• What is a stammer?