SEND in the experts with Georgina Durrant (Special Educational Needs Podcast)

In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disability Podcast, Georgina Durrant is joined by Steph Curtis. Steph, mother of two teenage girls aged 18 and 16, launched her blog, "Steph's Two Girls" on the day her younger daughter Sasha was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2.Steph experienced a ‘lightbulb moment’ soon after when she came across descriptions of a specific profile of autism known as Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). The features of PDA resonated deeply with her, as they accurately characterised her daughter's unique challenges. This discovery served as a catalyst, inspiring Steph to utilise her blog as a wider platform for sharing her family's experiences in order to help others understand more about PDA.With her newly published book "PDA in the Family" Steph has shared her family’s experiences since that day of diagnosis, in the hope that this will help families who are navigating PDA feel less alone. With unique insights from Sasha's father, sister, and Sasha herself, this book offers insider knowledge and advice from one family to another and provides a greater understanding for those working with PDA children.Listen to our Podcast episode with the PDA society here : https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/send-in-the-experts-with-georgina-durrant/id1598292028?i=1000579397090Find the PDA Society Podcast episode also on the Twinkl website here: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/ujlk5Find out more about the PANDA approach for supporting children with a PDA profile here https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1jp34kAs well as how to 'pick battles' when supporting a child with a PDA profile here https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/tvmcuSteph's website can be found here https://www.stephstwogirls.co.uk/ and her book here https://www.stephstwogirls.co.uk/2023/10/pda-in-family-book.html

In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) podcast 'SEND in the Experts with Georgina Durrant', Georgina Durrant chats to Stephanie Smith, Head of School at Cambridgeshire’s first state-maintained special free school provision for young autistic students the 'Cavendish School'They discuss everything about making schools better for autistic children and young people.. from removing attendance barriers and supporting EBSA, trauma-informed approaches, creating a sensory space/room, working in partnership with autistic learner's parents, lunchtimes, playtimes to developing life-skills in a practical and authentic way. Useful links: ⁠SEND Small Steps Curriculum https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/10m1g3⁠Sensory Room Information⁠https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/kj4fg⁠Sensory Profile Assessment⁠https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/gcbif⁠Cavendish School's Website:⁠⁠https://thecavendishschool.org.uk⁠

In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) podcast 'SEND in the Experts with Georgina Durrant', Georgina Durrant chats to 2x Paralympic Gold Medallist Danielle Brown MBE! Danielle Brown MBE is an award winning children's author. She's also a double Paralympic gold medallist in archery, five-time World Champion and was World Number 1 for her entire career. , she made history when she became the first disabled athlete to represent England - and won gold - in an able-bodied category at the Commonwealth Games. Danielle shares her advice on how to ensure teaching PE and sports in schools is inclusive of children with SEND.Inclusive Sports Resources for the classroom https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/139a8mParalympic Resources for the classroom https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1beqxmhttps://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/spql0Danielle Brown's website and books https://www.daniellebrown.co.uk

In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Podcast, we switch things around and welcome host Georgina Durrant on the show as a guest for the first time. Our guest host is Emily Powel and she interviews Georgina about her latest book 'SEND Strategies for the Primary Years' published by Bloomsbury. With as many as 13% of children in schools in England receiving some form of SEN support, and waiting times of up to 3-5 years for a child to receive a formal diagnosis, Georgina explains that there is a critical need for strategies teachers can use in the classroom and parents can use at home now. SEND Strategies for the Primary Years aims to give teachers (and parents!) practical strategies that they can put in place while they wait for diagnoses, assessments or support. The strategies are practical, easy to implement and resource. Relevant to children who may be impacted by a range of SEND including autism, PDA, ADHD, dyslexia, DCD, dyscalculia, sensory processing differences, speech, language and communication needs and more. SEND Strategies for the Primary Years can be found here https://amzn.to/3QKZx48 And Georgina's website is www.senresourcesblog.com and you can find her on Twitter (X) www.twitter.com/senresourceblog and Facebook www.facebook.com/senresourcesblog

Andrea Cartwright from Thrive discusses the impact of isolation booths in schools, focusing on the challenges teachers face with disruptive behavior. They explore the importance of human connection, addressing underlying issues, and tailoring support based on developmental ages. The podcast emphasizes the drawbacks of isolation, building meaningful teacher-student relationships, and fostering personal connections in education.

In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disability Podcast, Georgina Durrant speaks to Gary Aubin, author of The Lone SENDCO about SEND CPD for teachers and SENDCOs. They discuss SENDCos leading school CPD, what effective SEND CPD looks like in schools, receiving SEND CPD and the SENDCO qualification (NASENCO) being replaced by the new SENDCO NPQ. Watch this episode on youtube here https://youtu.be/aaqxtTP-ng8Have a look at Twinkl's free SEND CPD - Teach Meets here https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/q6dxvListen to our previous episode about Being a SENDCO with Ginny Bootman here https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/bevxs or watch it here https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/16wsheGary's website can be found here https://sendmatters.co.uk/about/ and his book The Lone SENDCO here https://www.johncattbookshop.com/products/the-lone-sendco-questions-and-answers-for-the-busy-sendco

In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Podcast, Georgina Durrant chats to Frances Akinde, a former Special School Headteacher and qualified SENDCO now SEND inspector and advisor. Georgina and Frances discuss what Neurodiversity Celebration Week means to her as a Neurodivergent educator as well as her tips for making schools more inclusive to both neurodivergent learners and neurodivergent staff. Read all about Neurodiversity Celebration Week here https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1a1a9zDownload our Famous Neurodivergent Individuals School Display herehttps://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/np149Read this useful quick look document that provides guidance on supporting neurodivergent colleagues, or yourself, to flourish in interviews, day-to-day working, when in meetings and more. https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/w4tpxFrances Akinde's Website : https://inclusionht.wordpress.com

In this episode of our Special Educational Need and Disability (SEND) Podcast, Georgina Durrant chats to Bethan Grant and Sarah Timms from ERIC (the children's bowel and bladder charity) about everything from more children arriving in reception who aren't yet toilet trained (and how we can support them) to the controversy surrounding some schools locking toilets at lesson time (and it's impact on children with toileting needs).Useful resources:Toilet procedure poster https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1jmamvToilet Social Situation https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/wdpp9Using the toilet resource pack https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/yb4rmToilet readiness assessment https://eric.org.uk/toilet-readiness-assessment/Individual health care plan https://eric.org.uk/individual-healthcare-plan/Getting ready for school factsheet https://eric.org.uk/potty-training/toilets-and-school-readiness/A parent Sam (who is also an advisor on ERIC's Helpline) talking about how she worked with school staff to make toileting at school work for their child https://vimeo.com/860155964School Toilet Policy: https://eric.org.uk/information/school-toilet-policy/

In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disability Podcast, Georgina Durrant chats to author and SENDCO, Ginny Bootman about being a SENDCO. Ginny provides advice about developing and maintaining good home-school relationships as well as practical advice on managing SENDCO workload and prioritising tasks.Resources:SENDCO Time Management Resource https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/mdz0wOfsted Questions for SENDCOs - https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/vuo1fApplying for an EHCP- https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/c0crjOther Links:Ginny's BookGinny's Website

In a captivating conversation, clinical psychologist Dr. Gina Gómez de la Cuesta dives into the world of LEGO®-based therapy, sharing her expertise as the founder of Play Included®. She discusses how this innovative therapy enhances social skills and emotional communication, especially for children on the autism spectrum. Dr. Gómez emphasizes the importance of a neurodiversity-affirming approach and provides practical tips for educators to implement her Brick-by-Brick® program in schools, fostering inclusivity through playful collaboration.