The SENDcast Dale Pickles

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.

When it comes to the national SEND landscape, it's crucial to gain a comprehensive understanding of what is happening across the country. Different schools and authorities often face unique challenges, and it's important to recognise the difference between struggles that are universal and those that are localised to specific schools.
Having spent 6 years as a MAT SEND Leader, Simon Tanner joins Dale today bringing his expertise to discuss ‘The National SEND Picture’.
During the conversation, Simon delves into the national issues affecting the SEND landscape, such as workload, funding, and recruitment. He offers advice and tips on collaborating and learning from other schools within your Local Authority, as well as scaling up successful initiatives.
“There are pockets of outstanding practise out there and communities and people coming together to collaborate to get the best for the SEND needs of the people that they're working with. I think that's the bit that gives me, as a leader of SEND within my MAT, hope. And we've got that passion and I think it's, how many of us can now come together to work, to provide and push that agenda along more, because that voice is getting louder.”
Simon Tanner
Join us for this insightful discussion as we dive into the National SEND Picture to enhance our understanding of the challenges, opportunities, and potential solutions that lie ahead.
 
About Simon Tanner Simon is National Director of SEND for E-ACT.  With 10 years as an experienced SENDCo and 6 as a MAT leader for SEND, Simon has developed effective SEND practice across multiple MATs and lead on SEND and MAT SEND reviews across the country. 
Simon Co-chairs the MAT SEND Leaders group which he established with Dr Nicola Crossly (Liberty Trust).  The group currently have over 100 MAT leaders of SEND and collaborate with Whole Education.  Simon is a mentor on Whole Educations MAT SEND leaders programme which last year supported over 250 academies across England and is now moving into its second cohort.   
Simon regularly presents at National conferences and was part of EDUKEYs Provision map series in 2020-2021 and TEXTHELPs festivals of education between 2021-2023. 
 
Contact Simon https://twitter.com/simontanner_sen
https://www.e-act.org.uk/
Simon.Tanner@E-ACT.org.uk
 
Useful Links ·         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.

The impact of a teacher's style and approach can be profound, especially when it comes to students with special educational needs (SEN) and behaviour challenges. Some teachers effortlessly handle students perceived as "difficult", while others struggle and resort to excessive punishment.
On this week's podcast, we're discussing teacher styles for supporting SEN and behaviour with our regular guest Fintan O’Regan. Fintan looks a 3 specific types of teacher style and considers the merits of each - are you a controller, a friend, or a benevolent dictator?
Controller – These subject specialists adopt a "my way or the highway" mentality, often displaying rigid behaviour management techniques. Friend – Teachers with a friendly approach aim to be liked by their students. They create a classroom environment based on negotiation and democratic principles. Benevolent Dictator – These teachers strike a balance by setting clear rules and expectations while remaining realistic and making reasonable adjustments to accommodate students' needs. It is crucial that teachers themselves, recruiters, and those involved in teacher training consider what it takes for the vision of every teacher to be a teacher of every child. This includes those who appear ready and available to learn and those that have SEND.
Listen to explore the considered merits of the 3 teacher styles, which Fintan perceives to be the most effective, and strategies and potential outcomes with each approach.
“You have to find a way that suits your style within the institution you're in and be allowed to flourish.”
Fintan O’Regan, Behaviour and SEN Consultant
  About Fintan O’Regan MA, PGCE BSc    He was the Head teacher of the Centre Academy from 1996 -2002, which was the first specialist school in the UK for students between the ages of 7-19 specialising issues related to ADHD, ASD and ODD.    
He is an associate lecturer for Leicester University, the National Association of Special Needs, the Institute of Education, the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre and the former Vice Chairman of the UK ADHD Network and of the European ADHD Alliance.  
Fintan now works as trainer and consultant for schools and school support systems including, Social Services, Health, the Police and Foster carers   with regards to providing behaviour management strategies for children and families struggling with SEND and behaviour issues. 
 
Contact Fintan https://twitter.com/fintanoregan
https://www.facebook.com/FintanORegansBehaviourManagementConsultancy/
fjmoregan@aol.com
 
Useful Links The Teacher's Toolkit The Top Traits of an Effective SEN Teacher 10 Essential Skills Every Special Education Teacher Needs Successfully Teaching and Managing Children with ADHD  
·         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.

School can often be a traumatic experience for autistic children and young people. Unfortunately, many individuals, particularly girls, go undiagnosed and lack the necessary support they need. This has led to low school attendance rates and a concerning decline in mental health.
As it’s Autism Acceptance Week, I am excited to welcome Emily Katy to our studio to share her incredible story and insights on 'Autistic Masking, School, and Mental Health'.
During Emily’s inspirational podcast she covers the following:
Her journey – undiagnosed autistic for nearly 17 years, challenges at school contributed to anxiety/OCD/depression leading to her being sectioned aged 16 on a children’s mental health unit. Her experience of school as an undiagnosed autistic girl – masking, challenges in the environment. What helped her at school – good teacher relationships, reasonable adjustments. This discussion is a must-listen for anyone currently navigating a similar journey. Share this inspiring story far and wide, as it’s a beacon of hope for those who may be facing similar challenges.
“You were forced into the same environment every day, regardless of the effects that it has on you. I can't tell you how much better my life has been since I finished uni and have been in a stable job, the last year and a half has been the best year and a half of my life.”
Emily Katy
  About Emily Katy EMILY KATY, 22, lived as an undiagnosed autistic girl for nearly seventeen years. 
After completing her degree in 2022, she qualified as a mental health nurse. She has a large, highly engaged following on Twitter and Instagram (@ItsEmilyKaty) and a blog www.authenticallyemily.uk, where she talks about autism and mental health. 
Emily is a Trustee of the charity 'The Autistic Girls Network', a former Governor and member of the CAMHS young people's council for her local NHS trust, and in 2021 to celebrate the International Day of the Girl, she was selected by the Women of the World Foundation as one of their 2021 40 Young Leaders. 
She lives in Hertfordshire with her family and two dogs, and loves books, writing, scrapbooking and Greys Anatomy. 
GIRL UNMASKED is her first book. 
 
·         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
  Contact Emily https://twitter.com/ItsEmilyKaty
https://www.instagram.com/ItsEmilyKaty/
www.authenticallyemily.uk
 
Useful Links GIRL UNMASKED: How Uncovering My Autism Saved My Life
 
·         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.