The SENDcast Universal Approaches to Support in Education with Clare Ward & James Galpin
I just finished listening to this thought-provoking podcast episode featuring Dr Jamie Galpin and Clare Ward! They join Dale to discuss 'Universal Approaches to Support in Education', at a time when we're seeing rising levels of emotion-based school avoidance, teachers struggling with mental health challenges or leaving the profession altogether, and increasingly scarce resources are being channelled into identifying difference.
Their conversation raises important questions: Have we gone too far focusing on difference? Shouldn't autistic, dyslexic, and ADHD children be considered a part of the "normal" spectrum of human diversity? After all, neurodiversity reflects the inherent variability of being human.
Jamie and Claire emphasise the need to move beyond isolated interventions and toward comprehensive systems that ensure every child feels a sense of belonging. With a universal approach to support, everyone benefits! By making resources available to all students, we can create flexible learning environments that cater to diverse needs.
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- Email Dale – dale@bsquared.co.uk
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About Clare
Clare Ward has been working in the world of SEN for the last 30 years as a teaching assistant, Speech and Language Therapist, specialist social worker, researcher, NHS manager, education advisor and CBT Practitioner. She specialises in working with young people with social communication difficulties, some of whom have a diagnosis of autism.
About Jamie
Jamie is a chartered developmental psychologist with over 20 years of experience in inclusion, psychology, innovation, and learning. He builds frameworks around which practice can sit, bringing coherence and connecting disparate or fractured notions and concepts. as a founding member of special networks, Jamie challenges traditional hierarchies of evidence and co-creates solutions for social inequalities as well as addressing universal needs.
Clare and Jamie met when they both started working for the same inner London multidisciplinary outreach team – supporting teachers and young people with a diagnosis of autism.
Contact Clare and Jamiehttps://www.instagram.com/specialnetworks/
Useful Links
The Anxiety Workbook for Supporting Teens Who Learn Differently
https://www.novakeducation.com/
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