Episode 16: Self Directed Education: how children can take control of their own learning

School starts back on Monday and for many neurodiverse children this can lead to feelings of dread and anxiety and a desire not to ever go back to school. The child’s anxiety is often looked upon as the problem rather than looking at the potential that the school is not the right environment for the child.

In this episode we will speak Dr Naomi Fisher a clinical psychologist who specializes in trauma, autism and alternative approaches to education. In this insightful discussion Dr Fisher will talk about the need to prioritize our children’s emotional wellbeing over the need to learn facts and stick to a curriculum.  What if we let go of our preconceptions of what learning should be and instead let our children take a self-directed, autonomous approach to learning through self-directed education.

Dr. Fisher’s book Changing our minds: how children can take control of their own learning really broke down a lot of my pre-conception about school education and even made me question some of my parenting techniques.

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Episode 15: Decompressing during the school holidays

It’s the Easter holidays and the kids are at home which can be very stressful for all parents but is particularly intense for parents of neurodiverse kids. If you are feeling the pressure this holiday season this is the episode for you to decompress and pick up some valuable tips to move forward and not feel so alone. In this episode we will be talking to Emma Salt author of Square Pegs and Round Holes Surviving the rollercoaster of SEN parenting and enjoying the ride. Emma is a SEND educator and mother of two wonderfully neurodivers kids.

She will chat with us about how challenging and intense the parenting journey can be, how key it is not to compare yourself to other parents, it is ok to admit this is a struggle, it is ok to scream – allow yourself to feel, take care of yourself so that you can be there for your child and most importantly find your tribe that can be there to support you.

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Episode 14: The Role of the SENCO in Supporting Your Child in School

S.E.N.D. Parenting podcast is focused on empowering and supporting parents and their neurodiverse children.

Have you wondered about the role of the SENCO (special education needs coordinator) at your school and how they can help support your child in school. In this episode we will be joined by Mrs Alexandra Foster, SENCO at The Unicorn. We will learn more about the role of SENCO, how to navigate working together as part of your child’s support team and their link with acquiring and implementing an EHCP.

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Episode13: Late diagnosis a candid chat with Heidi Mavir best selling author of Your Child Is Not Broken

Has your child started struggling at school later in their childhood perhaps after moving school environment or starting secondary school? Or if your child has diagnosis and you have wondered if you are just like them? In this In this episode we will be joined by Heidi Mavir bestselling author of Your Child is not Broken. 

She will share with us her journey of late discovery of an ASD/ ADHD diagnosis for her son and even later one for herself. 

 Their late diagnosis didn’t change who they had always been but helped them to navigate some of the struggles in a neurotypical world. 

Please click on link to access Heidi Mavir’s book Your Child Is Not Broken

To access Heidi’s webinars for a 50% discount enter SPPGIFT Click link for access

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Episode 12: Dyslexia support offered by the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity

In this episode we will speaking with Andy Cook Chief Executive of the Helen Arkell Charity which provides holistic support for dyslexia supporting parents, children, teachers and adults struggling in the workplace. If you are wondering if you or your child has dyslexia or if you are struggling to get the right supports in place to help navigate school this is the podcast for you.

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Episode 11: A Dad's Perspective of Autism

S.E.N.D. Parenting podcast is focused on empowering and supporting parents and their neurodiverse children.

In this episode we will be speaking with Matt Davis about his autistic son Isaac. This candid chat from a dad’s perspective from diagnosis, education, to the positive power of social media and technology to letting go of football. Matt takes us beyond the label to the potential.

Please check out Matt’s blog about his son and Isaac’s YouTube on http://Mysonisaac.net

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Episode 10: Inspiration for the SEND Parenting Podcast: Dr. Kessel and her daughter Alexandra's journey

S.E.N.D. Parenting podcast is focused on empowering and supporting parents and their neurodiverse children.

We are celebrating the Tenth Episode of the SEND Parenting podcast with over 500 downloads!!!!

Have you wondered why I started the SEND Parenting Podcast…well this episode reveals all…..

In this episode, we are going to do things a little bit differently. Instead of having a guest on the show, I am going to interview myself and share with you a bit of my journey and how it led me to creating the SEND Parenting Podcast. I'll share with you a little bit about me and a lot more about my journey being a warrior mum for my daughter Alexandra, and how that journey has inspired me to start this podcast. 

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Episode 9: Dyslexia uncovered through the personal lens of a mother, daughter and dyslexic assessor

S.E.N.D. Parenting podcast is focused on empowering and supporting parents and their neurodiverse children.

50-60% of children with neurodiversity have a neurodiverse parent.

In this episode we welcome Victoria, a dyslexic mother of twins. She shares with us her journey of discovery and realising that one of her daughters struggles mirrored her own life challenges. In this open and warm episode Victoria brings her personal experience alongside her knowledge as a dyslexic assessor.

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Episode 8: Harnessing technology to empower children who struggle with reading or writing

S.E.N.D. Parenting podcast is focused on empowering and supporting parents and their neurodiverse children.

Does your child struggle with reading or writing? Technology may be able to provide a bridge for your child to overcome those struggles. In this episode Sallie Greenhalgh,  Academic and digital lead at the Unicorn School, will describe how Microsoft technology can break down the barriers to learning and empower children to reach their potential.
 
 I am truly thankful as someone with neurodiversity to live in a world where technology makes life easier. My daughter has struggled with fine motor due to her cerebral palsy and dictation has enabled her to unlock her thoughts and put them to paper. Both of us rely completely on spelling and grammar corrections which allow us to use the words we want to use versus the words we  can spell. If you haven’t yet harnessed technology to support your child this is the episode for you

Sallie Greenhalgh has kindly agreed to give her email address for anyone who would like to reach out for further information sallie.greenhalgh@unicornoxford.co.uk

Click here to see the full transcript and download the Microsoft technology PDF

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Episode 7: EHCP First Steps and Valuable Insights into Navigating the Local Authority

S.E.N.D. Parenting podcast is focused on empowering and supporting parents and their neurodiverse children.

S.E.N.D. Parenting podcast is focused on empowering and supporting parents and their neurodiverse children.

In this episode, we welcome back Adam Friel, partner and head of Education Law at Geldards. He will demystify whether your child can apply for an EHCP, what the first steps are, and how to navigate the barriers and challenges you will face with your local authority.

I really wish I could have listened to his advice when I started my EHCP journey.

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Episode 6: Educational Psychologist, Dr Levy, explains how an assessment can help you create an educational road map for your child

S.E.N.D. Parenting podcast is focused on empowering and supporting parents and their neurodiverse children.

Have you ever wondered if your child needs an educational psychological assessment or what is an educational psychological assessment and how can it help your child, if have this is the podcast for you. 

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Jemma Levy, educational and child psychologist who trained at the University College of London. She provides psychological support to children and young adults up to the age of 25, supporting the whole family to ensure every child reaches their full potential. 

Dr. Levy is truly passionate about children and young people with special educational needs, and believes that every child has strengths that can be uncovered and used to help with their learning. Through a psychological assessment, the child's strengths and areas of needs can be used to devise a comprehensive intervention plan, ensuring the child has the right support to reach their full potential. n. 

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Episode 5: Autism and ADHD a Mother and Daughter’s Journey

S.E.N.D. Parenting podcast is focused on empowering and supporting parents and their neurodiverse children.

In this episode, we will be joined by Catherine working mom of three, who has kindly agreed to share with us her daughter's journey to eventual diagnosis of autism and ADHD. She will take us through how she felt when she first got confirmation of Coco's diagnosis, her experience of wondering why me did I cause this? What does this mean for Coco's future? Will she be independent? She'll describe her personal self educational course in neurodiversity, which broke down for her, the stereotypes of the labels of autism and ADHD and led to not only her acceptance of her daughter's neurodiversity, but really viewing it as a gift for the whole family to learn and embrace. Her journey really, really resonated with me, and I believe it will resonate with a lot of parents.

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Episode 4: Advocating for your child in the education system insights, with Dr MacDonald | Empowering Parents with Neurodiverse Children

S.E.N.D. Parenting podcast is focused on empowering and supporting parents and their neurodiverse children.

In this episode, we will be speaking with Dr. Natalie-Jane McDonald, gaining her perspective, knowledge, and expertise in advocating for  your child in the current education system.  Her breath of experience ranges from being a chief executive of Acorn Care and Education for children who have special education needs to working in the NHS to getting  MBE while raising three children. She's a remarkable woman and definitely worth a listen. 

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Episode 3: Does Your Child Need an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP)? | Empowering Parents with Neurodiverse Children

S.E.N.D. Parenting podcast is focused on empowering and supporting parents and their neurodiverse children.

Have you been struggling with the question of whether your child needs an educational health care plan (EHCP)? It was a question I struggled to answer for my daughter.
In this episode, Adam Friel, partner and head of Education Law at Geldards will give us his unique lens on this question of whether your child needs an EHCP. He will share with us his personal journey as a dyslexic through the education system as well as his realization of his son's needs for an EHCP with autism. 
His message is powerful and stresses the earlier you intervene the better the outcomes  for our children with SEND. 

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Exploring A Episode 2: Specialist School for Your SEND Child | Empowering Parents with Neurodiverse Children

S.E.N.D. Parenting podcast is focused on empowering and supporting parents and their neurodiverse children.

In this episode we are going to speak with Mr Andrew Day, Head of the Unicorn School since 2015.

The Unicorn is a specialist, independent day school for children aged 7 to 16 years who have Specific Educational Needs. They offer both primary and secondary education including our GCSE programme.

Mr. Day has a passion for supporting children who struggle at school.  His teaching career spans 30 years with 16 of those working in two SEN specialist schools.

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Episode 1: Welcome to SEND Parenting | Empowering Parents with Neurodiverse Children

S.E.N.D. Parenting podcast is focused on empowering and supporting parents and their neurodiverse children.

Introduction to the series: Dr Olivia Kessel, your neurodiverse host, will be interviewing experts and parents to understand how to navigate life with neurodiversity from diagnosis to education, to overcoming legal barriers, to utilizing technology, socialization, acceptance and much, much, more.

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Olivia KesselSEND Parenting