Autism: My Personal Experiences and Advice for Professionals with Joe Fautley
Release Date: 10/03/2024
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 Tigger emphasises that while many professionals are well-intentioned, a significant number are stuck using outdated training from decades ago.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_outlineWe're excited to announce that in this week’s episode of the SENDcast, we welcome Joe Fautley to share his invaluable insights in “Autism: My Personal Experiences and Advice for Professionals.”
In this open and honest discussion, Joe offers a unique perspective as a young adult growing up and living on the Autism Spectrum. He shares his personal journey, highlighting the needs, strengths, achievements, challenges, and aspirations of children and young people with SEND.
Joe's experience as an Autism advocate shapes his approach to making education more accessible and comfortable for students with autism. He currently works at the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) and plays a vital role as co-chair of the NCB Staff Disability and Neurodiversity Network, empowering colleagues with disabilities and neurodiversity.
Joe highlights four important discussion points:
- Don’t underestimate anxiety: triggers and the powerful impact of anxiety on daily life.
- Allow time to process information: interpreting language, information overload and filtering everything that’s being said.
- Autistic Fatigue and Burnout: pressures of everyday life, and processing it, can lead to exhaustion.
- Avoid making assumptions: encourages professionals to avoid making assumptions about autistic students’ needs and experiences.
Joe shares practical tips across four key areas of difference: language use, flexible thinking, social interaction, and sensory processing—tools essential for supporting autistic students throughout their education.
Join us for this enlightening conversation that aims to enhance understanding and support for autistic individuals in educational settings.
About Joe Fautley
I’m an Autistic person who also has Dyspraxia and anxiety. Over many years, I have been involved in various projects which enable Autistic people to have a voice in decision making and make a positive impact on society. I’m passionate about raising awareness and understanding of Autism and wider neurodiversity. I’m passionate about using my voice and lived experiences to be a positive role model and help inspire and support others. For example, I use my platform on Twitter @JoeFautley to share my personal experiences and help spread awareness, acceptance and understanding of Autism across the wider SEND and education community. I have many years’ experiences of various advocacy and media work including featuring in videos, co-delivering national SEND training to hundreds of professionals across England and speaking at conferences.
Contact Joe
Useful Links
Article for SEN Magazine (2024)
Article for NASEN Connect Magazine (2023)
Interview with SENDIASS North Yorkshire (2022)
Joe's solo video published by the NHS (2021)
Group video Joe is featured in published by the NHS (2021)
Presentation from NASEN Live Conference (2021)
- 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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