SEND Flashcards
(11 cards)
What does the term SEND mean to you?
Special educational needs and disabilities
Children who have learning disabilities or physical disabilities that make it more challenging for them to learn
Can effect ability to communicate, interact socially, manage emotions and reach full potential
Assisted with specialised teaching strategies, one to one support, regular interventions, etc.
What are the essential qualities for an successful SEN TA?
Sensitivity and understanding
Ability to create best conditions for learning
Flexible and adaptable
Verbal communication skills
Patience and empathy
Teamwork and collaboration
Observation skills
Respect for diversity
How do you keep up to date with current research and best practises in SEN?
Stay informed about new research and guidance
Keeping up to date with policies
Working with other professionals (occupational therapist, S&L therapist, etc) and following their guidance
Collaboration with families - communicating what works well at home
Knowing what works well for individual child
Can you describe previous experience of working with children with SEN?
Plenty of experience handling meltdowns - good at supporting child regulate their emotions
Getting on the child’s level and understanding their in the moment needs
Communication boards, makaton to describe feelings, using books and other resources like the colour monsters to help child understand their own feelings
Regularly completing pupil passports and keeping up to date with their next steps
One to one support at carpet times - supporting them to focus and participate
Regular intensive interactions
Administering peg feeding
Supporting SEN children with interactions with their peers
Using different calming techniques
How would you manage challenging behaviour/meltdowns in the classroom?
Remove other children from the area (depending on situation)
Get on their level
Use a calm, soothing voice
Offer support and comfort, let them know you understand their feelings
Have clear, consistent expectations and consequences
Give them choices
Having a quiet space to calm down - sensory toys
Understand their triggers
Establish routines with warning when routine may change
Positive reinforcement
Use redirection when child is becoming escalated
How do you build relationships with SEN children?
Build good relationship with parents/carers
Be on their level
One to one support
Understanding their personal needs and triggers and how to manage them
Include them! Always give them the choice to participate
Having a sense of trust
Creating a safe, inclusive, caring environment
How do you adapt your teaching methods when working with SEN children?
Follow the plan and implement strategies the class teacher/SENCO/other professionals have advised
Providing visuals for support
Flexible grouping - creating dynamic groups based on their individual needs, allowing children to work together in groups that best suit their learning styles
Sensory support - regular sensory or ‘brain’ breaks to avoid overstimulation
Reducing distractions
Reflecting and reviewing - what worked well, what didn’t
How do you ensure SEN children are included in mainstream school activities?
Always give them the choice to be included
Having an easily accessible space for children with physical disabilities
Small group or one on one support
Celebrating differences - encouraging other children to recognise and appreciate differences
Peer support - supporting SEN children build friendships can motivate them to participate
Differentiated instructions - adapting teaching methods to suit different learning styles
How do you ensure effective collaboration with parents of SEN children?
Show that you are there for them and will support them with any challenges they are facing
Ask them what support they require
Offer informational support
Learn about the child’s disability to understand it to best of ability
Communication is key
Be honest when they’ve had tricky days and follow up with how we plan to support them with any issues in future
How do you stay motivated?
It’s a rewarding job
Knowing we are giving them the best possible start in life by working hard to support them
Seeing their progress, hitting new milestones
Having good relationships with children and parents
What are the 4 broad areas of need?
Communication and interaction
Cognition and learning
Social, emotional and mental health
Sensory and/or physical needs
