If you’re considering private tutoring for your SEN child, it’s natural to have questions about the process. Many SEN children have had traumatic experiences within
Earlier this month, SENsational Tutors attended the TES SEND Show to connect with people who support SEND and discover the latest insights. Milly Allinson, our
Dyslexia is a common learning difference which affects how individuals process language and can make reading and writing more challenging. Ten per cent of the
How would you define ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)? Many still think of a child with excessive energy. A child who can’t concentrate or disrupts
Dyspraxia, or DCD (Developmental Coordination Disorder), can affect a person’s co-ordination and motor skills. This can translate into difficulties in these areas: movement, writing, working
Visual resources can bring a sense of security and comfort to autistic students. The world can feel confusing or bewildering for autistic learners, and life
The House of Education Committee has just published its inquiry report “Solving the SEND Crisis”. https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/49536/documents/264041/default/ https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/203/education-committee/news/209313/solving-the-send-crisis-report-calls-for-culture-shift-and-funding-to-make-mainstream-education-genuinely-inclusive/ The inquiry emphasises a need to embed SEND
Children from all walks of life are likely to experience pressure during exam periods. For children with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), there are
Nearly one-third of 16-24 year olds in the UK (31%) reported some evidence of depression or anxiety in 2017/2018. This is up from the previous
FASD Awareness Day is next week on the 9th of September. This neurobiological condition is caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol. FASD, (Foetal Alcohol Spectrum
Approaching a new school year can trigger a range of emotions for children, parents and teachers alike. However, for families and children with SEND, there
Learners with autism face additional challenges and need consistent help to unlock their full potential. However, whilst we must help autistic learners overcome potential difficulties,
This is the third in our series of UK SEND statistics as we look into the age of children in the UK who have an
The summer holidays can bring mixed feelings. No more school runs! No more homework! On the flip side, with round-the-clock parenting and no fixed schedule,
Young people with FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) may encounter a range of challenges, such as: Difficulties with learning Delays in speech Excessive energy Concentration
The dyslexic community in the UK is sizable; “It’s estimated up to 1 in every 10 people in the UK has some degree of dyslexia.”
Most people may be aware that young people with autism tend to be resistant to change, but why is this the case? The link between
What is the Link Between ADHD and Anxiety and how can I Support my Child? Those who are familiar with the symptoms of ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity
Trauma can arise for multiple reasons, and this has the potential for huge repercussions throughout all areas of life. Children who have experienced trauma may
In 2019, The British Dyslexia Association found that, “dyslexia is the most common specific learning difference, affecting between 6.6 and 9.9 million people in the
This is the second in our series of UK SEND statistics as we look into the numbers, stats and figures across many categories of SEND
Before looking at how ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) affects learning, it’s essential to recognise how the neurological implications of ADHD can influence a child’s access to
Dyslexia is a neurological condition that alters the way the brain accesses and uses language. It influences more than just reading and writing; possibly impacting
“Around one in 57 (1.76%) children in the UK are on the autistic spectrum, significantly higher than previously reported” As suggested by Department of Psychiatry,
Trauma is defined as “stressful, frightening or distressing events that are difficult to cope with or out of our control. It could be one incident,
This is the first in our series of UK SEND statistics as we look into the numbers, stats and figures across many categories of SEND
In an article entitled ‘The Rise of AuDHD’ in April 2024, The Guardian revealed that one study by researchers at Duke University found: “Up to
EOTAS (Education Otherwise Than at School) is a legal provision in the UK allowing specific children with special needs to be educated in an alternative
EOTAS (Education Otherwise Than at School) is a legal provision in the UK allowing specific children with Special Needs to be educated in an alternative
Who: FRAMELESS – Marble Arch When: 18th February 2025 What: Interactive art experience How long: 2 hours Introduction FRAMELESS in London’s Marble Arch offers an
“There are 700,000 autistic people in the UK”. However, a recent study by The Lancet, in 2023, suggests this figure is substantially higher. There is
In June 2024, GOV.UK recorded that “Over 1.6 million pupils in England have special educational needs (SEN)”. This was recorded as, “an increase of 101,000
As parents strive to give their children tools to carve out positive friendships and social skills, it is helpful to remember that children with SEND
EOTAS (Education Otherwise Than at School) is a legal provision in the UK that allows specific children with special needs to be educated in an
EOTAS (Education Otherwise Than At School) is a legal provision in the UK that allows specific children with special needs to be educated in an
When a child has SEND, (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), families may initially find themselves researching a maze of information that falls under the umbrella
The website ADHD UK states that “a research survey of 10,438 children between the ages of 5 and 15 years found that 3.62% of boys
Gaming is very much embedded in the culture of young people today, allowing them to escape and construct, create and conquer in a fantasy virtual
“Time to Talk” day is approaching on 6th February 2025, presenting a chance to open new conversations about anything that may impact our mental health.
Love it, like it, or loathe it — most of us have an opinion about maths. Those who “loathe” it may recall maths as long,
Education Otherwise Than at School (EOTAS) was first recognised by Parliament during the preparation of the Children and Families Act 2014. Subsequently, Section 61 of
Gestalt Language Processing (GLP), is a style of learning language where children initially memorise phrases, and then work backwards to eventually learn the meaning of words.
We often talk about the challenges faced by young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) but with the right support, SEND individuals can
Pathological Demand Avoidance, or PDA as it is more commonly known, is a neurological condition. Currently, most professionals work alongside the premise that if a
It is estimated that approximately 80% of people who have autism will also experience burnout. Autistic burnout occurs when a person with autism can no
School refusal describes a child’s consistent wish to avoid school, ranging from occasional days at home to a total rejection of school culture. Children’s charity,
Dyslexia impacts on a person’s ability to learn, and quite often can remain with someone throughout their adult life. It is often assumed that people
An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is an important legal document for a child that has SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities). It will
ARFID, a term created in 2013, is an acronym of “Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder”. ARFID children will experience issues with food choices, often exhibiting fears
EOTAS, (Education Other Than at School), is a phrase now synonymous with the recognition of children who cannot be taught in school. These children require
Pathological Demand Avoidance, or PDA as it is widely known, was defined as a neurological condition in the 1980s. It is not easy to know
Statistics from the website “ADHD UK” estimate that there are 708,000 children living in the UK with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Children with the
Safety is at the core of life. It is a parent’s role to safeguard their children and a teacher’s role to safeguard their students in
It is estimated by the British Dyslexia Association that 10% of people in the UK have dyslexia. From this statistic, 4% of the population are
Communication is our lifeline; it allows us to create friendships, convey our feelings and learn about our world. We cannot be sure how many people
When we mask, we camouflage and present a different reality to the world. The neurotypical population may mask to ease their nerves on their first
Coined as a condition in the 1980s, Pathological Demand Avoidance, or PDA as it is more commonly known, has only become more widely recognised since
The pre-teen years, when a young person begins the transition from childhood to adolescence, are a difficult time for most children. This period coincides with
Some people look back on their schooldays with great fondness while others shudder to recall harsh teachers and playground spats. But if you were to
If you’ve got more than one child, they are very unlikely to have the same temperament and interests and might even have wildly differing personalities
We all experience a range of emotions as we go about our daily lives. We may, for example, feel irritated at the long queues in
In the UK, it’s the responsibility of local authorities (LAs) to ensure that all children receive an appropriate education up to the age of eighteen.
Although we often hear that autistic people struggle to find employment and a meaningful role in the world, Max Green is proof that it is
We often hear people express concern that kids spend too much time online these days when they should be out in the fresh air, getting
Nurturing – providing food, comfort, protection or support – is often associated with looking after pets or plants or bringing up children. Certainly, all children
‘Trauma’ is a word we hear a lot of these days and for many people, it suggests an event or set of circumstances where something
If a person has been diagnosed with autism, it’s highly likely that they will also have other conditions alongside such as dyspraxia, sensory processing disorder,
Becoming a parent is a huge life-change but most people muddle along, meeting each challenge as it arises and doing their best to raise happy,
We often hear how parents struggle to obtain an autism diagnosis for their child. Long waiting lists, lack of funding from local authorities and sometimes
Any specialist discipline from Engineering to Fine Art has its own ‘lingo’ and the field of education is no different. When it comes to children
Even if you haven’t heard of the term ‘FASD’ – Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder – you’re probably aware that drinking alcohol while pregnant isn’t good
Society is gradually becoming more aware of how autism presents itself in females. Until fairly recently, it was widely believed that ASC was largely a
When a child has SEND, families very quickly need to acquire all kinds of specialist knowledge. In addition to understanding the young person’s condition and
If you’ve ever tried to help your child with their maths homework, only to panic that you don’t know what you’re doing, you’ll understand just
According to the dictionary, ‘alexithymia’ is ‘the inability to recognise one’s emotions and describe them’. It often occurs as part of autism and other neurodiversities
Charlene Andruskevicius has twin sons, Oliver and Harry, who are now eighteen. Harry is autistic, visually and hearing impaired and has the cognitive ability of
It’s well-known that neurodivergent people can have food challenges. Reluctance to eat or following a restricted diet, for example, are common issues in neurodiverse children
If your child has any kind of special need, they could face different challenges to most of their peers. On top of that, because everyone
As we’re often told, many autistic youngsters are welded to their computers and tablets. Playing games, looking at websites, or scrolling through social media channels
‘Time to Talk Day’ takes place on February 1st and is now in its tenth year. Organised by mental health charities ‘Mind’ and ‘Rethink Mental
Many young people hit a patch where they lose interest in their studies. This might be due to any number of factors such as teenage
As society becomes more aware of PDA – pathological demand avoidance – as a different presentation of autism, some parents are gradually realising that the
The term ‘EOTAS Package’ may sound like a cut-price holiday to a little-known Greek island but it actually stands for ‘Education Other Than At School’.
When a person is described as having experienced ‘trauma’, this usually means they have gone through or witnessed events that are extremely frightening or upsetting.
There can be lots of reasons why a child refuses to go to school but whatever the causes, it can be tricky, stressful and time-consuming
The Christmas period often inspires a flurry of creative activity in even the most Scrooge-like individuals. There are presents to wrap, cards to make and
We often hear how difficult it is for a person with ASC (autism) to find any kind of employment. According to the National Autistic Society,
A number of adults who work in offices came to appreciate the benefits of working from home during the Covid lockdowns and for many people,
Life changes when you become a parent and even more so when you have a child with special needs. Learning to understand and adapt to
Falling out with brothers and sisters or school friends, learning how to manage relationships and emotions, and understanding how to negotiate conflicts is part of
‘Executive function’ or ‘executive functioning skills’ refers to a set of cognitive skills that enable us to make plans, organise information, follow instructions, maintain focus,
According to the British Association of Play Therapists’ website, ‘Play is children’s primary form of communication. Children tell us about their inner world through play
If someone’s autistic, it is likely to affect all aspects of their life from their relationships, education and employment to their health, hobbies and ability
In some ways, dyspraxia is the ‘poor relation’ of special needs. Not everyone has heard of it and those that have might be unsure about
World Mental Health Day (10th October) – was established in 1992 to promote understanding of mental and emotional health. But despite growing awareness of these
Empathy – the ability to sense what someone else is feeling and understand it from their point of view – is a vital part of
Dyslexia is a neurological condition that affects a person’s ability to read, write and spell but it can also impact their ability to organise themselves, retain
When we think about someone with ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – many of us picture a small boy, hurtling around the classroom –
One of Jodie Greer’s earliest memories is being at school aged five or six. “I had a friend with a speech impediment,” she recalls. “The
Technology has completely revolutionised all aspects of modern life in just a few years. As an example, you can now see who’s at your front
An education and healthcare plan – known as an ‘EHCP’ – is a document drawn up by a local authority which sets out exactly what
You may or may not have come across the term ‘autistic burnout’. It’s a recent idea that is gradually making its way into mainstream awareness
We did it! We won the People’s Choice Tuition Business of the Year Award 2023 – and are officially the nation’s favourite tutoring business! Not
It goes without saying that we all experience the world through our senses. In fact, it’s how we learn anything – from riding a bike
Remember the thrill of getting pocket money as a child and splurging it on something completely frivolous such as three bags of jelly babies or
Going to school is as much about making friends – and falling out with them – as it is learning your times tables. But for
It’s often the case that people who work with children with special needs have some personal experience with SEN themselves. It may be that they
Getting the right help for your child – whether that’s an EHC Plan, a diagnosis or enough one-to-one support at school – is often down
Seeing King Charles III glide solemnly through Westminster Abbey in his velvet robes and regalia for his coronation, how many of us are secretly reminded
Many of us take our ability to speak for granted, only stopping to consider how useful this is when a sore throat or toothache makes
April is Diversity Awareness Month. Human beings, as we know, come in all shapes and sizes, hail from a variety of backgrounds and have hugely
A child with good verbal skills can often demonstrate excellent understanding when social situations or expectations are explained to them but as soon as they’re
Easter is a Christian festival but it also celebrates spring. Whether you’re religious or not, you can’t fail to feel more hopeful when the mornings
You might imagine that school drama lessons would give kids with SEN the perfect opportunity to improve their confidence and social skills along with boosting
Yvonne Newbold knows only too well how difficult it can be bringing up a child with special needs. Her son Toby was born with profound
You can’t cure autism but there are lots of strategies and therapies out there that can help build a child’s confidence and social understanding to
Have you heard of ‘interoception’? Many of us have only recently become aware of the word as it’s a ‘hot topic’ in the field of
Not everyone has heard of dyspraxia – a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by problems with muscle coordination and poor organisational skills. Even less well-known, perhaps, is
‘Time to Talk Day’ was established in 2014 to encourage friends, family members and colleagues to share their mental and emotional struggles with each other.
Like many innovative ideas, Dan Clark’s enterprise started with a ‘What if…?’ Having worked in a school for many years teaching IT and music, he
Gender and special needs including ASD and PDA is an interesting topic and one that may not often be discussed. We therefore asked Klaudia Matasovska,
Much of what makes Christmas an exciting time of year is its sensory appeal – brightly-coloured wrapping paper, twinkling lights and scented candles, special food
Communication or social interaction is a common challenge for children with special needs, particularly if they’re autistic. Although these issues can’t be completely eradicated, with
Dyspraxia – also known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) – is a condition that affects a person’s movement and coordination. It also affects someone’s ability
9th October is PANS/ PANDAS awareness day, but what is PANS/ PANDAS? WHAT IS PANS/PANDAS? Many parents of children with special needs have a niggling
If your child has recently received a diagnosis of ADHD, you’ve probably done what many other parents in your situation have done before you and
Autistic people are individuals with their own, unique profile of strengths and difficulties. Even so, in general terms, they will usually have problems with social
Dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental condition that mainly affects a person’s ability to read and write though it can also impact their ability to process and
Obsessive-compulsive disorder – usually known as ‘OCD’ – is a common mental health condition characterised by persistent and unwanted, distressing thoughts. Though these intrusive thoughts
Society’s perception of special educational needs and disability, and how they affect a child’s education and social life is constantly evolving and advancing. However, one profile which remains less understood
The last few years have seen an upsurge in awareness of the differences in boys and girls with special needs. Neurodivergent males, the experts now
Recent years have seen a lot of speculation on the differences between boys and girls with special needs. But when it comes to educating young
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that affects approximately 600,000 people in the UK. Many of us associate it with what we’ve seen in films and
Discovering that your child has special needs – which could be anything from a physical disability such as hearing impairment or cerebral palsy to the
For most people, the teenage years are a time of great highs and soul-destroying lows. You get to experience some of the freedoms of adult
We often talk about being ‘stressed’ but what does it actually mean? Though the word can signify different things to different people, generally-speaking, it means
Autism is a lifelong, neurological disability which affects how a person interacts with other people and the world around them. Each person will have their
When the writer George Eliot said, ‘animals are such agreeable friends. They ask no questions; they pass no criticisms,’ she was onto something. Many of
Most of us know the pleasure that comes from singing along to a favourite song or dancing to a funky disco number. But according to
Perhaps the broadest category of special needs, ‘SEMH’ refers to people who have social, emotional or mental health difficulties. It’s a label that can be
We’ve all seen films and TV dramas where a corduroy-clad teacher strolls into a classroom, perches on the edge of their desk and nonchalantly delivers
Whatever you do for a living, your professional life brings you knowledge and understanding that people in other fields might not ‘get’. According to people
Many people don’t give much thought to autism – until, that is, they discover that one of their own children has ASD. After that, most
As most people who work in education will tell you, it’s important to grab ‘real life’ opportunities to consolidate what children learn in the classroom.
As in many areas of life, the last few years have seen people re-evaluate the way they talk about special needs. When it comes to
If your child has special needs and requires extra support at school or in the home, they may have an EHCP (Education and Healthcare Plan).
There is ever-increasing pressure on our young people in modern society: social media, mobile telephones, the world wide web, friendships, peer groups, norms and expectations
Ever drifted off in a meeting and been jerked back to the present moment by someone asking you a question you can’t answer because you
It’s ADHD Awareness Month – attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, to give it its full name. The NHS defines it as a neurological disorder characterised by
October is ‘Sensory Processing Disorder Awareness Month’ – which is something of a mouthful if you don’t have your dentures in! Tongue-twisters aside, the aim
If you’re considering private tutoring for your SEN child, it’s natural to have questions about the process. Many SEN children have had traumatic experiences within traditional education settings, which can
Earlier this month, SENsational Tutors attended the TES SEND Show to connect with people who support SEND and discover the latest insights. Milly Allinson, our research copywriter, reports on how
Dyslexia is a common learning difference which affects how individuals process language and can make reading and writing more challenging. Ten per cent of the UK population is believed to
How would you define ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)? Many still think of a child with excessive energy. A child who can’t concentrate or disrupts their class. Yet this misses
Dyspraxia, or DCD (Developmental Coordination Disorder), can affect a person’s co-ordination and motor skills. This can translate into difficulties in these areas: movement, writing, working memory, emotional well-being and social
Visual resources can bring a sense of security and comfort to autistic students. The world can feel confusing or bewildering for autistic learners, and life may feel too noisy, too