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 Tigger emphasises that while many professionals are well-intentioned, a significant number are stuck using outdated training from decades ago.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_outlineAlison 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 symptoms to the underlying emotions and motivations that drive those actions.
She pointed out that children often resort to negative behaviours to gain attention, especially if they feel overlooked when they are behaving well. It's crucial for parents and caregivers to recognise this pattern and provide attention and validation in positive ways.
Listen to this discussion to find out the importance of understanding emotional motivations behind behaviours and the necessity for effective communication and supportive parenting.
About Alison Knowles
Ali is a practising emotional therapist, author of the Ollie and his Super Powers series of books, public speaker 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.
We recognise the uniqueness and individuality of every client we see. We know they don’t fit in boxes and that labels can be very generic.
We don’t take months and months to help you move on, Ollie Coaches encourage you to take charge by empowering you with our skill sets so that you can make the changes that will make all the difference to make the difference at a pace that is right for you.
We believe you have everything you need inside you. We show you how to access your immense knowledge and skills so that you can be in control of your emotions rather than being controlled by them.
You can contact me if:
- you, a member of your family, a staff member or a child in your school needs 1-2-1 emotional resilience support to overcome a limiting belief, fear or phobia, a habit you would rather not have or an emotion that is making decisions for you.
- you are interested in having us run an introductory Ollie workshop for your group, team or staff.
- you need help with conflict resolution, change management, communication breakdowns.
- if you would like more information about having an Ollie Coach in your school or having staff trained in the Ollie Model
- you would like to find out more about becoming an Ollie Coach and joining Ollie’s Army.
Ollie is currently active in the corporate world, schools, universities alternative provision, foster and adoption.
Contact Alison
https://www.facebook.com/OllieandhisSuperPowers
https://www.instagram.com/ollie_and_his_super_powers
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 – [email protected]
- Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe
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