Read SEN Magazine SEN135 : Mar/Apr here
Another great issue, thanks to all our talented contributors. The cover image shows a child with her spoon part-way to her mouth, which is our slightly simplistic attempt to illustrate the phenomenon of Freeze Behaviours discussed by Kirstie Rees on page 25. Sometimes called Catatonia, freeze behaviors are associated with autism and can be exacerbated by stress, anxiety or trauma. Kirstie relates the progress made by sixteen year-old Andrew, who would often freeze mid-activity.
Please take a few minutes to read Julie Day’s deceptively matter-of-fact piece on page 21. Almost twelve years have passed since Julie last wrote for SEN Magazine, and in this new article she explains how she is still positive about her autism, two years after her mother passed away. It’s clear from Julie’s articles that her mother was a great source of companionship, and I was deeply moved by her account of remaining positive.
Following on from her article in our last issue on using dyslexia teaching techniques in mainstream class, Valerie Muter returns on page 12 of this issue with a simplified, practical approach to detecting dyslexia and reading comprehension difficulties in children at different stages of education.
On page 51, Andy Mahoney gets a bit political in his doom-laden but persuasive warning about the potential impact of the Chancellor’s NIC changes on SEND transport. Even small providers will be adversely affected if they work mainly for local authorities or the NHS, because they will remain ineligible for Employment Allowance relief. But Andy has a cunning plan.
There’s obviously not enough space here to draw your attention to all the great articles in this issue, but I would just mention Shazad Ali’s article (page 45) on reintegrating pupils who are returning from alternative provision. AP has become an important resource recently, but it’s not designed to replace school long term, and Shazad describes how the Co-op Academy Grange School in Bradford approaches the sometimes ticklish process of re-acclimatising students.
Many thanks to all our wonderful advertisers, contributors and readers, without whom SEN Magazine wouldn’t be possible. Please send your article idea to [email protected]. We love hearing from you. Don’t worry about literary style or grammar—your article will be sub-edited. For more information about writing for SEN Magazine, please visit senmagazine.co.uk/editorial-guidelines.
Jeremy
Click here to read SEN Magazine SEN135 online
Freeze behaviours, Masking, Dyslexic thinking, Spotting reading difficulties, Pathological demand avoidance, Music, Performing arts, Literacy, Transition, Down’s syndrome, SEND transport, Alternative provision, Supported holidays, Short breaks, Social anxiety, Driving tests, Outdoor learning, Equine therapy, Rebound therapy, Gatsby benchmarks, Post-16, Books, What’s new, CPD & Events, Resources and more