The SENDcast Dale Pickles

Dr. Helen Ross, dyslexia expert and consultant, joined Dale this week in what they had planned to be a discussion on dyslexia and mental health. However, their conversation took an unexpected turn, leading them on a meandering path through various topics and reflections on life. They therefore decided to call the episode ‘Whole life mental health meanderings’.
During this lively discussion, Helen and Dale ended up reflecting on their lives which took them all over the place – from labels, Helen's projects, and parental expectations to period pains and their own life journeys. The essence of their conversation centred around the idea that there is no one-size-fits-all template for life. They dove into the concept that imperfections and failures can lead to unexpected and sometimes even more fulfilling outcomes.
Dr. Helen Ross captured our meandering journey with this analogy;
"Sometimes you forget to put the eggs in your cake, and it doesn't matter because you end up with slop, and it tastes good."
While their discussion may have deviated from the original topic of dyslexia and mental health, the insights shared in this episode are valuable and relatable. Life is a complex journey, and it's essential to find what works for us individually, even if it means veering off the expected path.
About Dr Helen Ross Dr Helen Ross is a fully qualified special needs teacher and former SENCO, working as an independent educational research consultant, specialist assessor and SEND expert. Helen is a Trustee of the British Dyslexia Association, Chair of the Wiltshire Dyslexia Association and is on the board of the US, not-for profit National Coalition of Independent Scholars. She has consulted for the British Dyslexia Association, The Committee for Science and Technology (part of the UK Government), and Wiltshire Local Authority. She also works internationally with various third sector and commercial organisations with evaluation, consultancy and resource development. Helen’s research explores stakeholder experiences of SEND provision within the mainstream education sector, focussing on the empowerment of those supporting young people, to help them to take ownership of their own learning. She uses her findings from research to inform her own practice and to support other practitioner in their own work, through CPD webinars and live sessions.
Contact Helen https://twitter.com/drhelenross
https://www.facebook.com/drhelenross
http://helensplace.co.uk/
helen@helensplace.co.uk
 
Useful Links The make up of neurodiversity Mary Colley style
 
·         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 – dale@bsquared.co.uk 
·         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.

As you know, SENCOs play a crucial role in supporting students with special educational needs, and they often find themselves in the firing line when dealing with parental issues. Despite their kindness and empathy, SENCOs (and teachers in general) are not always equipped with specific training in this area, which poses a significant challenge.
To shed light on this topic, Lynn How joins Dale to share valuable insights and tips for working effectively with parents. In this episode, Lynn explores;
the reasons why this challenge is a recurring issue for SENCOs barriers to parental engagement parental perspectives of schools and SENCOs reframing the notion of "hard to reach" parents practical tips for navigating challenging conversations with parents Listen for actionable insights to strengthen parent-school partnerships, leading to improved outcomes for students with SEND.
“Remaining positive is a massive part of the role. If I can get parents to leave the meeting at least smiling about something then that's a bonus.”
Lynn How, Educational Consultant
 
About Lynn How   Lynn How is an educational consultant, editor of Teacher Toolkit website and blogger.
With 20 years of primary teaching and SLT experience, she has been an Assistant Head, Lead Mentor for ITT and SENCO. She loves to write and also has her own SEMH and staff mental health blog: www.positiveyoungmind.com.
Lynn holds an MA in Education, is a fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching (FCCT), NASENCO and NPQH. Her particular areas of interest are wellbeing (staff and pupil), SEND, children's mental health, leadership, mentoring and coaching. Recently she has started an Educational Consultancy business for SEND (SEND support) and Teacher Wellbeing (The Wellbeing Lady). Lynn’s first book, ‘Starting Out As A Primary Senco’, is being published by Bloomsbury in September 2024.
 
Contact Lynn https://twitter.com/Positive_Y_Mind
https://www.facebook.com/PositiveYoungMind
www.positiveyoungmind.com
Lynn@positiveyoungmind.com
 
Useful Links Lynn's CPD training for school leaders and adaption training for SENCOs 
 
Want to hear more from Lynn? Lynn recently joined us in the SENDcast Sessions studio to present 2 CPD training sessions:
1. SENCO wellbeing: Don’t just survive – thrive!
2. SENCO action planning – where to start when the issues seem so big
Register your place now for just £10 per session which can be shared with your whole school.
 
·         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 – dale@bsquared.co.uk 
·         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.

Did you know that there is a profound connection between our senses and mental health?
Our senses can heighten the more stress we’re under, but they can also shut down as well. Smell alone can bring up strong feelings and emotions, for example, no one likes the smell of hospitals, but they love the smell of fresh bread.
To explore this connection further, Dale invited Joanna Grace, Sensory Engagement and Inclusion Specialist, to join him to discuss ‘Your senses and your mental health’.
Joanna highlights that when in a depressive mindset, you can withdraw from the world and restrict your access to sensation. As a result, our senses can become dulled, affecting our ability to fully enjoy activities like eating.
She also emphasises the importance of our interoceptive sense, which allows us to sense our internal world, such as hunger and thirst, and how this differs for neurodivergent people which can in turn impact their wellbeing.
Each individual's environment plays a significant role in shaping their sensory capacity, which in turn affects their ability to perceive and process emotions effectively. Listen to this thought-provoking perspective on the importance of curating environments that promote good mental health at a sensory level.
 
About Joanna Grace 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 https://twitter.com/Jo3Grace
sensorystory@gmail.com
www.TheSensoryProjects.co.uk
http://www.Facebook.com/JoannaGraceTSP
 
Useful Links Autism:behaviour or neurotype? session with Jo 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 – dale@bsquared.co.uk 
·         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.

We’ve all heard of Occupational Therapists – but do we truly understand the breadth and depth of their role?
Kim Griffin has been an OT for over 20 years and joins Dale for today’s podcast ‘What is an OT?’. Kim sheds light on the history of the profession, explains how the name was derived and how it can specialise in different areas; such as working with children, adults, mental health, SEND, orthopaedics and so on. An OT’s role can support people across their lifespan!
Kim specialises in paediatrics and has extensive experience working with SEND children within schools. During the podcast, I ask Kim the below questions:
What should a school use an OT for? What are the areas that OTs support in schools? Starting with the EHCP. How much work do you get to put in with the teachers? How can schools really maximise what they get from their OT? What do you need to ask for when buying in private OT time? “If the lesson is too hard for them, no amount of movement break or sensory circuit or weighted blanket is going to help that child access the lesson.” Kim Griffin
Listen to get a deeper understanding of the OT role and how you can maximise their contributions within your school to support your students.
 
About Kim Griffin Kim is an occupational therapist with 20 years’ experience supporting children, young people, their families and teachers to participate successfully in their daily lives. Her interest areas are sensory processing and autism. Kim provides online training for those who want to learn more about sensory processing, motor skills and handwriting along with programmes that show you have to help children improve their skills.
 
Contact Kim https://twitter.com/Griffin_OT
http://www.GriffinOT.com
https://www.facebook.com/GriffinSensoryOT/
 
Useful Links Description of OT by Kim
Fidget toys
·         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 – dale@bsquared.co.uk 
·         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.

Let's begin by acknowledging a fundamental truth: there are no bad children. Each child exhibits behaviours as a means of survival within their unique environment. In the case of foster or adopted children, many have endured profoundly traumatic pasts, resulting in complex behavioural issues. However, at their core, they are children who, like any other child, simply need to feel loved, safe, and valued.
In this week’s episode, Alison Knowles joins Dale to discuss ‘Parenting foster/adopted children’. We explore the specific challenges facing foster or adoption families including; transitions, attachment, the importance of establishing boundaries, and effectively dealing with challenging behaviours. Alison brings her wealth of expertise as an Emotional Therapist and real-life examples.
Each child’s journey is unique, therefore it’s crucial that no assumptions are made. Alison highlights that a lot of the focus is on the foster or adopted child, however, there needs to be more support for the parents. These families need extensive guidance and resources to navigate the complexities of their roles and empower these parents to enable them to provide the best possible care.
"You've got to try and find a way to reframe the fact that there isn't that biological bond, but there's a more powerful, beautiful one. This is quite magical; they found you."
Alison Knowles
 
About Alison Knowles Ali is a practising emotional therapist, author of the Ollie and his Super Powers series of books, public speaker, NLP trainer and creator of the Ollie Model.  Ali’s strength is the unique way she views the world and her instinctive ability to empower you or your child to find the solutions from within.  
 
Contact Ali https://twitter.com/bemoreollie
https://www.facebook.com/OllieandhisSuperPowers
http://www.ollieandhisuperpowers.com
 
Useful Links Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWDj-PRjboIg2cu-KZsEMVA 
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ollie_and_his_super_powers 
 
·         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 – dale@bsquared.co.uk 
·         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.

Recently a new term has emerged 'profound autism', which refers to autistic individuals who have intellectual disabilities and require round-the-clock support. While this term has been well received in some circles, it has sparked controversy in others.
We delve into this topic with Joanna Grace and explore the new term and its implications within the autistic community in today’s podcast 'A Profound Separation'.
During our discussion, we touch upon the following:
High or low functioning Intellectual disability The need for another new term Negative connotations Listening to the autistic community Neurokin Join us for this thought-provoking conversation as we shed light on profound autism and explore the controversial term.
“Why do we need these terms when we've got the term intellectual disability?”
Joanna Grace, Sensory Engagement and Inclusion Specialist
 
About Joanna Grace 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 https://twitter.com/Jo3Grace
http://www.facebook.com/JoannaGraceTSP
http://www.thesensoryprojects.co.uk/
 
Useful Links Email - sensorystory@gmail.com 
Autism:behaviour or neurotype? session with Jo Grace https://www.thesendcast.com/product/autism-neurotype-or-behaviour/ 
 
·         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 – dale@bsquared.co.uk 
·         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.