Nathalie

I have worked in education for over 24 years, working alongside children of all ages and abilities in mainstream schools. My passion for inclusion has led me to develop a particular interest in special educational needs and over the years I have taught different year groups, set up my own childminding business, worked as a mentor and actor at Chickenshed and worked as a specialist teacher in a Primary School. As a mother of two children with SEND, my commitment to inclusion is never ending. I have therefore developed a particular interest in working alongside children with SEND and emotional difficulties.

I have led Speech Therapy programmes to facilitate communication and social skills with students with various SEND-particularly children with autism, Downs Syndrome and cerebral palsy.

I am highly experienced in supporting children with social-emotional and behavioural difficulties. I help children to develop friendships and overcome friendship difficulties by teaching them conflict resolution skills, e.g. speech therapy activities to practise skills using Social Stories and self-expression skills, e.g. Zones of regulation and teaching them how to understand feelings using resources such as Joel Shaul's 'Conversation Train', 'Green Zone', 'Our brains are like computers' and "Size of the Problem".

I am experienced in supporting children to develop a flexible mindset by introducing a CBT approach to understanding feelings and recognising poisonous thoughts, and how to change a pattern of thinking (Tony Attwood's: 'Exploring Feelings -CBT approach to Manage Anxiety). All my sessions are bespoke depending on the needs of the child and I am able to also support them to overcome problems and rationalise situations by using role playing games, scenarios using social stories, and comic strip conversations techniques.

I have taught specialist Reading and Writing programmes to assist children with specific learning difficulties as well as more profound learning difficulties.

My passion and my commitment to inclusion has taken me in many directions:

• KS1 and KS2 experienced teacher
• Inclusion specialist
• I am presently a Specialist Teacher and introduced many intervention programmes to help equip children with the tools to succeed in mainstream:
-Social Communication groups
-Specialist Literacy classes based on a hands-on approach
- Managing Emotions Programme (Zones of regulation)
- CBT for anxiety and anger based on Tony Attwood
-Forest School to develop independence and resilience
• Developed and implemented interventions (RWI/Speech and language groups/Emotional literacy based on CBT techniques/Forest School)
• Experienced at working as part of a Multi-agency team (Speech Therapists/Ed Psychologists)
• Led training in SEND (Autism, Setting up an inclusive classroom…) for parents and teachers
• Set and review targets for Support plans/Annual reviews
• I am a volunteer and actor at Chickenshed Theatre working closely alongside vulnerable young adults and children to ensure that they are included both socially and creatively
• I set up an inclusive Childminding business, which was in high demand with parents of children with SEND. I was awarded Outstanding Champion Childminder in Enfield.