Lesson tips for Special Educational Needs

Richard Cleeve
Children sat at desks in a classroom with their hands up

In this blog, James Laidler talks about his insights into how to plan lessons for neurodiverse students. James is a teacher and has been a Special Educational Needs (SEN) Coordinator for the past 18 years. He also discusses how important it is to consider your terminology, using phrases like special learning powers or neurodiversity to break down negative stereotypes. On top of this, he wants to help teachers and students recognize the strengths SEN students can bring to the classroom.

James explores special needs education and what teachers can do to ensure their lessons are inclusive for all. A lot of these lesson tips are also great to apply to keep all students engaged, SEN or otherwise.

Defining Special Educational Needs

To define what Special Educational Needs (SEN) is, a child has SEN if they have a learning difficulty or disability that calls for special educational provision. Learners with such as autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, dyspraxia or anxiety disorders come under this framework.

Inclusive lesson tips for neurodiverse students

Although teachers want to create inclusive lessons, many feel ill-equipped to support neurodiverse students.?To help, James offers some tips for lesson planning which aim to turn learning diversities into strengths:

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD is a condition that can include symptoms such as inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Students with this disorder may have a short attention span, constantly fidget, or act without thinking.

Lesson tips for ADHD students:

  • Movement breaks C Students with ADHD may struggle to sit still for extended periods of time. Include short breaks in your lessons that offer them the opportunity to get up and move around at regular intervals.
  • Group work C To keep learners active and engaged, include group work in class. This means they dont have to focus on the board for too long.
  • Dramatise lessons C A really effective activity is to . For example, students can act out role plays or other fun . It keeps them motivated, holds their attention and can be fun for all of the class.

Dyslexia

Dyslexia primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent reading and spelling. It may affect a persons phonological awareness, verbal memory and verbal processing speed. Lesson tips for dyslexic students include:

  • visual aids C Learners with dyslexia tend to have . Try bringing in pictures to illustrate ideas or add them to lengthy texts to help students when doing reading comprehension exercises.
  • font and spacing C When setting reading tasks, simply , enlarging font size, and double spacing is hugely beneficial to dyslexic students. Simply adapting the text can make their learning experience much easier.
  • text-to-speech software C Using a text-to-speech specialized software often provides significant support to those who struggle with reading or digesting text on computer screens C try or .

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

ASD is a developmental condition that involves challenges in social interaction, speech and nonverbal communication, and restricted or repetitive behaviors. The severity of symptoms is different in each person. Lesson tips for ASD students:

  • Encourage systematic skills C Often students with ASD may be more systematic than other students. This means they favor routines, regular processes, and predictable activities. Try bringing out these skills by asking students to spot patterns, analyze numbers or evaluate data.
  • Talk about interests C Autistic students may have specific interests they love to research. Engage them by getting them to or ask students to create projects on a topic they choose that they can present to the class.
  • Teaching online/blended learning C If you have a learner who is struggling socially at school, it may be an option to include hybrid or blended learning. This takes away the social and emotional challenges of school and people interaction, which can benefit ASD students.

Anxiety disorders

Anxiety disorders differ from normal feelings of nervousness or anxiousness, but rather involve intense fear or anxiety. in young people and greatly affects their ability to learn.

Lesson tips for anxiety disorder students:

  • Changing language and terminology C Our education system is very exam driven, which can cause students to experience much stress. By simply offering reassurance, guidance, and motivation, you can help to reduce their feelings of anxiety.
  • Talk openly C Encourage learners to discuss their feelings if they struggle. They can do this with you, a classmate, or a support worker at the school. If they open up to you, focus on .
  • Mindfulness techniques C Try adding five minutes at the start of the day for guided meditation or breathing exercises. It may help students to begin the day in a calm and relaxed manner.

More blogs from ɫèAV

  • Expressing love around the world: Interesting facts and how to say "I love you" in different languages

    By Sam Colley
    Reading time: 5 minutes

    Love is a universal language that transcends borders, cultures and languages. For those learning another language, understanding how to express love in various tongues can be both fascinating and useful. Whether you're planning to travel, connect with friends from different backgrounds, or simply expand your linguistic repertoire, knowing how to say "I love you" in different languages as well as the cultural context, can be a beautiful way to show appreciation and affection. Let's take a look at some of the many ways to express this timeless sentiment and some interesting facts.

    1. Cultural nuances:

    In many cultures, the way you express love can carry different weights and meanings. For example, in Japanese, "ۤƤ" (aishiteru) is a very strong expression of love, often reserved for serious relationships, whereas "ä" (daisuki) is more commonly used among friends and family.
    However, French, often called the language of love, uses "je t'aime" to express love as a romantic phrase that can be used for both partners and close family members.

    2. Gender differences:

    Some languages have gender-specific ways of saying "I love you." For instance, in Arabic, "????" (a?ibbuka) is used when a woman says "I love you" to a man, and "????" (a?ibbuki) is used when a man says it to a woman. Similarly, in Hindi, men say "??? ????? ????? ???? ???" (main tumse pyaar karta hoon) and women say "??? ????? ????? ???? ???" (main tumse pyaar karti hoon).

    3. Formal vs. informal:

    Some languages have formal and informal ways of expressing love. In Spanish, "te amo" is more formal and used for romantic love, while "te quiero" is more casual and can be used for friends and family.
    ?

  • Understand your English level

    By Sam Colley
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    Learning English as a second language is a journey that can be fun and tough. A key part of this journey is knowing your current skill level. The Global Scale of English (GSE) helps learners check their skills. The GSE is a scale from 10 to 90 that measures English ability. It gives clear information about what learners can do at each level. In this blog, well look at how to find out your English level using GSE scores, levels, and "I can..." statements.

    Why understanding your English level matters

    You may wonder, Why is it important for me to know my language level? If you start studying without knowing your skill level, you might feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or find learning too easy and be put off or not make any learning progress.
    Knowing your English level helps you in many ways, such as to:

    1. Set realistic goals: Tailor your learning objectives to your current abilities.
    2. Choose appropriate materials: Select books, courses, and resources that match your proficiency.
    3. Track progress: Measure improvement over time and stay motivated.

    GSE levels and what they mean

    The GSE levels range from Starter to Expert, each with specific "I can..." statements that describe what you should be able to do at that level. Heres a breakdown of each level, along with some practical examples:

  • English is the language of AI - why teaching it matters

    By Sam Colley
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    In the rapidly evolving age of artificial intelligence (AI), language plays a critical role in shaping the future of technology. English, in particular, has emerged as the dominant language in the AI domain, driving innovations, collaboration and accessibility. As we delve deeper into the digital age, the importance of teaching English becomes increasingly evident. Here are some key points that underscore why English is essential in the realm of AI and why its teaching matters.

    Global collaboration and research

    AI is a field that thrives on collaboration and the sharing of knowledge. Researchers, developers and engineers worldwide contribute to the collective advancement of AI technologies. English is the common linguistic thread that binds this global community together, enabling seamless communication and collaboration among these diverse professionals.

    By teaching English, we empower individuals from various linguistic backgrounds to participate in global research projects, attend international conferences and publish their findings in widely accessible journals. This global exchange of ideas not only accelerates the pace of AI innovation but ensures that advancements are inclusive and representative of a wide array of perspectives.

    Access to educational resources and technical documentation

    Many AI research papers, educational materials, textbooks, online courses and technical documents are published in English. Leading AI platforms, libraries and frameworks, offer extensive documentation and support primarily in English.

    By equipping individuals with English language skills, we empower them to access these invaluable resources. This democratizes the learning process, allowing aspiring AI practitioners from non-English-speaking regions to acquire the knowledge and tools needed to contribute effectively to the field.

    Enhancing communication and language learning with AI systems

    As AI systems become more integrated into our daily lives, the ability to communicate effectively with these systems is paramount. Many AI-driven applications, from virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa to customer service chatbots, operate predominantly in English. Teaching English ensures that users can interact seamlessly with these technologies, maximizing their utility and enhancing user experience.

    Moreover, as continues to advance, proficiency in English allows individuals to better understand and contribute to the development of more sophisticated and intuitive AI communication interfaces.
    ?