Navigating Inclusive Education: Insights from Madeleine, SEN Teacher Extraordinaire

Episode Highlights

In this week’s bonus episode, we caught up with Madeliene one of SEND Tutoring’s legends, she’s on the website as one of our tutors. You can find more about Madeleine here.

Madeleine is an SEN (Special Educational Needs) Teacher, specialising in children with Autism and inclusive practice. Madeleine first completed her childhood studies degree, before completing a PGCE in Primary Education and went on to complete her masters in SEND and Inclusion, with a focus on demand avoidance and behaviour as a communication. Madeleine has developed strategies more recently to promote positive learning for pupils who display PDA and is passionate about this being used more widely within school settings. Madeleine hopes to complete her Ph.D., focusing on inclusive practice for ASD and PDA children in the coming years.

I wanted to post this episode as soon as possible as she’s just started at a new school with a new cohort of children this September and I’m sure the listeners will want to know how she’s getting on as the term has just started.

Ahead of time, we sent her these three questions:

1. Can you explain to the listeners what PIVATS is and how it appears in a practical sense (could you describe using it in a lesson)
2. What are brain breaks and can you give some examples of them?
3. What is PECS and how is this used?

N.B. PIVATS stands for Performance Indicators for Valued Assessment and Targeted Learning. They are useful for Tracking pupil progress as well as achievement and for setting clear targets.

What is the Picture Exchange Communication System?

The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a way for autistic people to communicate without relying on speech. To communicate, people use cards with pictures, symbols, words, or photographs to ask for things, comment on things, or answer questions.

Podcast Episode Highlights

In this week’s special bonus episode of SEND Tutoring’s Podcast, we had the pleasure of catching up with Madeleine, one of the esteemed tutors at SEND Tutoring. As an SEN (Special Educational Needs) Teacher specializing in children with Autism and inclusive practice, Madeleine brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Recently embarking on a new journey at a different school this September, listeners were eager to hear about her experiences with a fresh cohort of children.

Meet Madeleine:

Madeleine’s journey in education is nothing short of inspiring. Armed with a childhood studies degree, she later completed a PGCE in Primary Education and pursued a master’s in SEND and Inclusion, focusing on demand avoidance and behavior as a form of communication. Madeleine has become a specialist in developing strategies to promote positive learning for pupils displaying Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), advocating for wider adoption within school settings. Her commitment to inclusive education is underscored by her current pursuit of a Ph.D., focusing on inclusive practices for ASD and PDA children.

Questions and Insights:

To provide listeners with valuable insights into Madeleine’s expertise, three key questions were posed ahead of the interview:

• PIVATS in Practical Terms
• The Importance of Brain Breaks
• Understanding PECS

Conclusion:

Madeleine’s wealth of knowledge and commitment to inclusive education shines through in this insightful bonus episode. As she navigates a new school year and a fresh cohort of children, her dedication to understanding and implementing strategies for ASD and PDA children remains unwavering. The podcast not only provides a glimpse into the practical application of educational tools like PIVATS and PECS but also underscores the importance of inclusive practices in fostering a supportive learning environment for all. Stay tuned for more updates from Madeleine as she continues to make a positive impact in the realm of special education.

Check out Madeleine’s SEND tutor profile and see who and where we help.

If you have any questions on the topics discussed in this podcast, or are looking for help finding a specialist one-to-one tutor for your child, book a free consultation with us today, we’ll be happy to help.