Sensory Processing – Exactly How Does It Impact On Daily Life? with Ali Neal
Release Date: 11/20/2025
Understanding Epilepsy’s Impact on Children and Young People with Catherine Hodder
The SENDcast
In recognition of International Purple Day today, Catherine Hodder, Head of Policy, Influencing & Youth Voice at Young Epilepsy joins Dale to discuss ‘Understanding epilepsy’s impact on children and young people’. Epilepsy affects around 1 in 200 children in the UK, yet 1 in 3 children with epilepsy do not get the support they need to fully participate in school life. Epilepsy is one of the most common conditions affecting children and young people, yet it is often misunderstood. Seizures can be subtle and are frequently missed or mistaken for inattention, many school staff do not...
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The SENDcast
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The SENDcast
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Young Carers: Voices That Matter with Kasia Thompson
The SENDcast
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*Special Episode* National Neurodiversity Shows 2026 with Steph Barnett
The SENDcast
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The SENDcast
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The SENDcast
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The SENDcast
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The SENDcast
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Therapeutic Effect of Birds of Prey with Angela Norwood
The SENDcast
Have you ever listened to a podcast featuring a guest owl? Today, you're in for a treat - twoo! Angela Norwood, Managing Director of Berkshire Birds of Prey, joins Dale in the studio, accompanied by Pumba, a vocal Tawny Owl. Angela discusses her remarkable journey from working as a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant specialising in autism and behaviour to founding Berkshire Birds of Prey. She explains how these majestic birds help children and young people calm and regulate their emotions, making a significant impact on their mental health. Highlights include: The calming effects of birds of...
info_outlineIt can be difficult to understand exactly how much we use our senses for all daily tasks.
Today, Dale discusses the fascinating world of sensory processing with our special guest, Ali Neal, an experienced occupational therapist. She discusses how sensory processing impacts daily life, particularly for children and individuals in educational settings.
Ali takes us through a fun and relatable exercise involving sweets, illustrating how sensory processing plays a role in even the simplest tasks. Make sure you grab a sweet before tuning in (a great excuse to enjoy a treat)!
Ali breaks down the steps involved in enjoying the sweet, from unwrapping it to savouring the taste. She highlights what can go wrong in this process when sensory information isn’t processed effectively.
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About Ali Neal
Ali Neal is a specialist Occupational Therapist with advanced training in sensory processing. She runs School Sensory Solutions which provides regular and cost effective training for all educators supporting SEN and neurodivergent pupils in schools via an online learning platform. Ali prides herself in finding solutions to everyday problems experienced by children and young people at school that actually work and supporting teachers to incorporate these in their already busy days.
Ali presents regularly at national level on the topic of Occupational Therapy and sensory processing for a number of organisations across the country including at both The Autism Show and The OT Show. She has written a book on Sensory Movement Breaks and has written an award winning program for developing motor skills for children with special educational needs.
Contact Ali
www.schoolsensorysolutions.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/SchoolSensorySolutions/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/school-sensory-solutions/
Useful Links
School Sensory Solutions training membership
101 sensory circuit activities
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- Email Dale – dale@bsquared.co.uk
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