Sensory Uncertainty with Clare Ward and Dr Jamie Galpin
The SENDcast
Happy New Year! As we prepare for a new term, I wanted to share the first episode of 2025 with you. In this episode ‘Sensory Uncertainty’, my guests Clare Ward and Dr. Jamie Galpin, Speech and Language Therapist and Developmental Psychologist respectively, provide invaluable insights. They discuss their new book, My Senses Are Like Cups, which uses a compelling metaphor to help listeners understand how sensory experiences impact emotions and behaviour. This engaging metaphor illustrates how our sensory experiences - everything we see, hear, feel, smell, touch, and taste - can be understood...
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The Power of Relational Practice in an Autism Setting with Beth Elkins & Ian Thorsteinsson
The SENDcast
Before announcing the final episode of 2024, I just wanted to say a big heartfelt thank you to you, our wonderful listeners! It has been another remarkable year with 51 episodes recorded, 19 new guest speakers, 100,000 downloads and a nasen award to celebrate our achievements. Thank you for being part of this journey! This week, we dive into the concept of relational practice - a powerful approach that emphasises treating others as we wish to be treated, fostering equality, and mutual respect. I'm thrilled to welcome two new guests to the podcast: Beth Elkins, Headteacher, and Ian...
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Why Do So Many Professionals Believe They Are Right? with Tigger Pritchard
The SENDcast
Tigger Pritchard, a neuroaffirming advocate, consultant, and trainer joins Dale in today’s episode to discuss ‘Why do so many professionals believe they are right?’. The discussion delves into why many professionals hold rigid beliefs about autism and the implications this has on neurodivergent individuals and their families. Tigger emphasises that while many professionals are well-intentioned, a significant number are stuck using outdated training from decades ago. This can lead to harmful assumptions and practices that negatively impact the lives of autistic individuals. In their...
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Assumptions Around Physical Disabilities with Chloe Plummer
The SENDcast
Two days ago, we celebrated the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Dale recently had the pleasure of recording a podcast with Chloe Plummer, she shared her insights on living with cerebral palsy and the ‘Assumptions around physical disabilities’. In our conversation, Chloe explains what cerebral palsy is and shares her personal experiences navigating daily life. She addresses common misconceptions about physical disabilities and emphasises the importance of open dialogue and self-advocacy. Chloe uses a walking frame, she discusses how this impacts her social interactions and...
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Emotional Regulation Resources for SEND with Kerry Thalia
The SENDcast
The results of a recent study on the widely used Zones of Regulation have come as quite a shock to many in education. Despite its widespread use, the evidence does not seem to support the use of Zones of Regulation, especially with students with SEND. In today’s episode we dive into the implications of this new research with Kerry Thalia discussing ‘Emotional Regulation Resources for SEND.’ Emotional regulation is a critical aspect of working with children and young people, significantly impacting their ability to access other areas of education. However, the literature review by Mason...
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Time Saving Tips for SENCOs with Ginny Bootman
The SENDcast
SENCOs have a notoriously busy role spinning many plates. Ginny Bootman, a SENCO working across four schools, joins Dale in this episode ‘Time saving tips for SENCOs’ to provide insights on how to work smarter, not harder. “We want to actually be with the children, so by saving time in other ways, we get to spend more time with them, which is what it's all about.” Ginny Bootman Here are some highlights from our conversation: Maximising efficiency: Ginny’s experience of going paperless, which allows her to access vital information anytime, anywhere - essential for managing multiple...
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I’m Bipolar, But Don’t Call Me Crazy with Catrina Lowri
The SENDcast
**Please note this podcast covers sensitive topics, including suicide, and carries a trigger warning.** Psychosis, hallucinating, depression, mania…..did you know these are all symptoms of bipolar disorder? Living with this condition can be terrifying, not just for those who experience it, but also for their family and friends. Catrina Lowri joins Dale today for a candid discussion on her journey with bipolar ‘I’m bipolar, but don’t call me crazy’. Catrina starts by explaining what bipolar is and the profound impact it has had throughout her life, from her studies and career to her...
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Reflections On How To Promote Positive Mental Health For SENCOs with Angela Scott
The SENDcast
The current Ofsted inspection frameworks acknowledge the vital responsibility educational leaders have for the wellbeing of their staff. However, anecdotal evidence from SENCOs in schools and settings suggests they are at particular risk of poor mental health, and that increasing workload over the pandemic has exacerbated this. Angela Scott, Regional Lead for SEND, joins Dale again to discuss ‘Reflections on how to promote positive mental health for SENCOs’. Angela tells us that gaining an awareness of the risks and protective factors linked to the role of SENCO is necessary to ensure...
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It's Not The What It's The Why! with Alison Knowles
The SENDcast
Alison Knowles, Emotional Therapist, joins me today to discuss ‘it’s not the what, it’s the why’. Alison tells us that assumptions often arise when we focus solely on behaviour, leading to a lack of understanding. “Actually getting to the root of what's going on rather than focusing on the bit that isn't going to change.” Alison Knowles Alison emphasises that all behaviour serves a purpose, but merely focusing on the behaviour itself won't lead to real change. Instead, it’s essential to understand why individuals engage in certain behaviours. This approach shifts our focus from...
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Alternative Provision with Veena Virahsammy
The SENDcast
Alternative Provision (AP) can often look ‘fluffy’ from the outside, leading to misconceptions about its true purpose. To clarify and raise awareness, Veena Virahsammy joins me to give her insight on ‘Alternative Provision’. After her son faced exclusion from school, Veena established her own AP to support him and others in similar circumstances. In our conversation, she shares her experiences launching this initiative and emphasises the vital role that AP plays in education. “All I was fighting for was for my son to have a full-time education”. Veena Virahsammy Over the past...
info_outlineFor many of us, everyday tasks such as entering our PIN numbers, not exceeding the speed limit, food shopping or telling the time we take for granted. However, for individuals living with dyscalculia, these seemingly simple numerical activities can pose significant, and often debilitating, challenges.
Dyscalculia affects 6-10% of the population (around 4 million people), the same proportion as dyslexia, but unlike dyslexia, most people haven’t heard of it. Dyscalculia is a little-known, much misunderstood and under-researched learning difficulty.
Today, Peter Cherry joins us to give us an insight into what it’s like ‘Living with Dyscalculia’ along with Cat Eadle, co-founder of the Dyscalculia Network. Peter and Cat give us a great overview of dyscalculia and cover topics including:
- What is dyscalculia?
- The daily challenges faced when living with dyscalculia
- Plans to extend Maths education to 18
- March 2022 was the first time it has been discussed in parliament
- The difficulties finding employment without a Maths GCSE
- Lack of awareness, support and understanding in schools and the workplace
- Practical tips and strategies
Listen to this insightful discussion to learn about dyscalculia and help to ensure that those impacted by this learning difficulty receive the support, adjustments and respect they deserve.
New episodes will still be going live over the Summer holiday so hopefully you’ll have some time to sit back and relax in the sunshine listening to more fantastic guests!
Have a great Summer break!
About Peter Cherry
Peter Cherry is a passionate volunteer for the Dyscalculia Network, where he serves as Chair of the Adults with Dyscalculia Advisory Board. His drive to raise awareness and advocate for dyscalculia has led him to write about his experiences in letters to the Guardian, in an article for Frame Magazine, and to be interviewed for pieces on dyscalculia in BBC News, BBC Sussex and the i Paper. He has ambitions to write a book on dyscalculia. Peter works as Assistant Director at the British Institute at Ankara, is author of an academic book published by Bloomsbury and holds a PhD in Comparative Literature from University of Edinburgh.
About Cat Eadle
Cat Eadle is the co-founder of The Dyscalculia Network C.I.C and co-author, along with Prof. Steve Chinn, of the innovative 'Succeed with Dyscalculia' series of books. With a career spanning 29 years in education, Cat's unwavering dedication for supporting individuals with dyscalculia and maths difficulties underscores her extensive experience. Holding a Bachelor of Education from Oxford University, Cat then became a certified specialist in mathematics learning difficulties in 2003. She initially applied her expertise in school settings but in 2017, she established 'The Little Maths Room,' where she offers tutoring services to learners of all ages with dyscalculia and other Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs). Cat is passionately committed to helping learners to build solid mathematical foundations and has a unique ability to nurture confidence and competence in mathematics ensuring learning is both accessible and enjoyable. Cat now spends much of her time co-running and co-developing the Dyscalculia Network including planning Dyscalculia Day and co-organising the Dyscalculia Show at the NEC, Birmingham. Cat provides training sessions for educators and also provides CPD for workplaces and community organisations. She often consults with the Dyscalculia Network’s Adults with Dyscalculia Advisory Board to ensure that the voices and experiences of those with dyscalculia are heard.
Contact The Dyscalculia Network
Useful Links
Succeed with Dyscalculia – Cat Eadle and Steve Chinn
MDA- Maths and Dyscalculia Assessment- Emerson and Jennings- Jessica Kingsley
Masking Maths: Dyscalculia and Me’ by Peter Cherry, page 43
BBC article - Dyscalculia: Do Rishi Sunak's maths plans add up for everyone?
BBC article - Parents call for maths learning support
- 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 – [email protected]
- Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe
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