Liz

I have 15 plus years of experience working with SEN children and adults who attend university both in the UK and internationally. I completed my Primary Education PGCE in 2010. Since then I have also completed training with both Dyslexia Action and the National Autistic Society. I have also undertaken TSST (teacher specialist subject training) in maths which enabled me to teach up to GCSE level Maths. In 2022 I completed another postgraduate diploma in Psychoanalytical Observational Studies. This course helped me develop skills to work with that harder-to-reach student. It was a distinctive experiential approach to training professionals such as myself to work with children, young people and their families. One of the aims of the course was to deepen the understanding and awareness of human development and interaction which helps me tremendously in my role as a SEN tutor.

I have worked with students with ASD/ASC/Autism for many years. I have taught adults studying at university study skills such as; essay writing, strategies for improving memory, organisational skills, note-taking, revision and exam techniques. I have also worked alongside Autistic adults in the workplace to support them in learning their new roles. One young man was learning an administration role for a construction company. I have taught highly functioning autistic children who have disengaged from mainstream primary education English and Maths at a level appropriate. I also taught at a specialist school for autistic children which was a very unique experience with children that were more severe in their learning difficulties. In this school, I used the PECS system.

Many of my students have presented with anxiety alongside their other conditions. I am very skilled in helping people to navigate their anxiety and/or depression. One particular student I worked with last year successfully achieved her maths GCSE and was very socially anxious for which I helped her develop coping strategies. I’m particularly skilled in making students feel at ease with my non-judgemental and calm demeanour.

I have tutored both adults and children with ADHD. For the children I taught maths and English to in the class I would vary up the activities, using a multi-sensory approach. I would help these students develop their executive functioning skills which are often lacking in students with ADHD.

I have experience working in schools attached to care homes where students presented with mainly SEMH learning needs this was as rewarding as it was challenging. It was lovely to be a part of a child’s journey to help them achieve their potential.

I have a sensitivity to all my students in terms of sensory processing as it can be present in a range of conditions or as a separate condition. In class, I will always check in with the students whether the lighting is too bright/dull, the colours on the screen, the volume of my voice/audio in the room. Students are usually quite self-aware of what their needs are and I am sensitive in providing them with an appropriate environment that will enable them to achieve their best.

At the moment I have a couple of students who struggle with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. One of these students is also on medication for epilepsy and blackouts. They are often in pain and I am mindful to help them to comfortable positions and also to offer frequent breaks. I find these students in particular need more help with memory skills and I adapt my teaching accordingly. I also currently work with a student who has a speech impediment and he likes to use some of our time together to work on improving his speaking skills.

I have worked with many young people who present with SEMH I understand every behaviour is a form of communication. In a non-judgemental way I approach each individual and initially place emphasis on relationship building, in my experience once a trusting, positive relationship is developed, the learning flows. I have managed to turn around many young persons from being disillusioned with education to engaging with education and hope for their future academic life. My current student has gone from hating school to talking about studying photography at college after he has completed his GCSE English and Maths with me.