The Ability Bridge (Special Educational Needs Podcast)
By Ian Richardson
The Ability Bridge (Special Educational Needs Podcast)Oct 28, 2022
Episode #3: Healthy Parent & Teacher Relationships around Autistic and SEND Children
Have you noticed how the end of the school day is often the exact moment when our children’s emotions seem to burst? It’s all too common. Autistic and SEND children are especially prone to this. They do a great job keeping themselves in check all day, and then lose control during the handoff from teacher to parent.
We’ve noticed that too. And we have some great news—it’s a pattern that we know how to address!
I got to sit down with Lynn McCann for this week’s podcast, where we unpacked the relationship between parents and teachers and received some great ideas for more open communication.
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Upcoming Workshop
Healthy Parent & Teacher Relationships Workshop
November 17, 2022 - 4-6pm
What You Will Learn- That there are differences in the experiences and perspectives of teacher and of parents about the child that can be brought together to help the child thrive.
- That when parents are distrustful and defensive there is often a very good reason. As a teacher you are sometimes the only one who will listen.
- That there are some simple and often easy ways of setting up good communication between parents of SEND children and schools.
- That everybody wins when the relationships around the child are thriving.
Find out more and save your spot: https://www.schudio.tv/courses/live-healthy-parent-teacher-relationships-workshop
Episode #2: Social Stories: Demands vs Good Explanations
We're here to help you turn everyday things into easy, practical ways to impact your child. We hope you found ways to talk about Sensory Diets and Social Stories after last month's podcast!
My discussion with Lynn about Social Stories and Sensory Diets was so impactful, we are taking it even deeper this Friday. You don't want to miss our next conversation on The Ability Bridge Podcast.
[Download this Worksheet] about Sensory Diets & Social Stories and prepare for a great conversation!
A Sensory Diet is a powerful tool to help children identify, on a scale, what external stimuli affect them and at what level. Are we helping our children avoid circumstances that cause excess anxiety and helping them cope with their sensory diet?
The Social Stories framework stresses the danger of forcing blind compliance to a task or action. This can leave a child vulnerable to being taken advantage of. Instead, Lynn shared ways to rephrase requests in clearer ways that lead to greater understanding and choice.
Both frameworks were incredibly simple and eye-opening!
Listen to the full episode on Friday, October 7, and download the free leader guide for discussion questions and ideas on learning more about supporting children and young people with diverse needs.
Each month we are going deeper into topics that will help you practically engage your child daily. Share the podcast with a friend and join us each month!
We have even more to share!
The Sensory Diet & Social Stories frameworks are powerful tools that have helped hundreds of parents and teachers, and we're not done unpacking them for you!
Join us for TWO live workshops in October.
- Developing a Sensory Diet [October 13, 2022 - LIVE online] - Social Stories Workshop [October 17, 2022 - LIVE online]
... or, become a member today for just £12 per month and get access to these and all future live workshops, plus over 20 courses and a thriving community of those caring for and supporting our children with diverse needs.
Episode #1 - Sensory Diets and Social Stories
Welcome to The Ability Bridge Podcast - we help teachers and parents find the support and resources they need to guide students with diverse needs toward success. We do that by offering on-demand, best-in-class training and community for parents and educators and professionals because everybody wins when the relationships around the child are thriving.
Every month we're going to be releasing a new podcast episode discussing ways that we can help these relationships thrive and the things we can all do, as the team around a child or young person, to see a huge difference in the impact of our collective efforts.
This month, in our very first episode, Lynn McCann and Ian Richardson discuss social stories and sensory diets - both hugely powerful ways to make a lasting and impactful change in the lives of children and young people with diverse needs.