Dr Elaine Harper applied her speciality in psychology to education to help students struggling emotionally by integrating education and mental health. She instructs educators and parents on how neuroscience – that is, how the brain works – can impact the day-to-day of students.

Dr. Harper wears many hats: she is the former educational services director for Positive Education Program in Cleveland, Ohio; she is the founder of Trauma Sensitive Teaching Network; and she has her own practice, Elaine Harper Consulting LLC.

Dr Eliane Harper
https://elaineharper.com/

Amanda Sokell
https://navigatingneurodiversity.life/

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Thirty years ago, Marcey Aronson and Debbie Leonard started working together at a school helping children with a range of very challenging behavioural issues, mostly stemming from trauma. They developed a ground-breaking social-emotional and academic program – the results of which were remarkable. Attendance increased, test scores rose, and suspension rates fell. Through their research, they concluded how emotions impacted the brain. It led to their BrainZones initiative, an app which empowers teachers with SEL strategies in the classroom.

BrainZones
https://brainzones.org/

Amanda Sokell
https://navigatingneurodiversity.life/

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When Liz Soper was aware that her child wasn’t reaching particular milestones and may be autistic or have ADHD, it wasn’t well received by the establishment. Liz faced barriers of not being believed. She started a community group which helped bring together families from all backgrounds and needs. It stems from her belief that people understand what’s needed in their own community better than anyone else.

A Seat at The Table: https://aseatatthetable.org.uk/
Email Liz: aseatatt@gmail.com

Amanda Sokell
https://navigatingneurodiversity.life/

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Tina Andrews has two adoptive daughters, the youngest of whom has a range of difficulties. It started Tina on a journey of a mum advocating and searching for the right help for her child. Tina has drawn on her a background as a life coach to recognise how essential mindset is while she confronts the bureaucratic obstacles in her way to find help for daughter. She provides a checklist of advice for others who might be struggling themselves while finding the right path for their own child or children with special needs.

Amanda Sokell
https://navigatingneurodiversity.life/

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Eliza Fricker is an illustrator, author and mother. She's the author of 'The Family Experience of PDA: An Illustrated Guide to Pathological Demand Avoidance', published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers, which helps parents as they support and encourage their children who may have features of PDA. Eliza also writes and illustrates a blog, 'Missing The Mark', a deeply personal and all-too-human exploration of a mother's journey navigating the education system and everyday life with a child who can't go to school.

Eliza Fricker’s blog:
https://missingthemark.blog/

Eliza Fricker’s Twitter:
https://twitter.com/_MissingTheMark

Amanda Sokell's Navigating Neurodiversity:
https://www.navigatingneurodiversity.life/ 

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Emily Kircher-Morris is a clinical mental health counsellor specializing in neurodivergent, gifted, and twice-exceptional learners. She is the host of The Neurodiversity Podcast which explores the development of gifted and neurodivergent individuals through their lifespan and is the author of the book “Raising Twice-Exceptional Children: A Handbook for Parents of Neurodivergent Gifted Kids” She is the parent to three neurodivergent children.

The Neurodiversity Podcast
https://neurodiversitypodcast.com/

Amanda Sokell
https://community.amandasokell.com/

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Dr Elaine Harper applied her speciality in psychology to education to help students struggling emotionally, by integrating education and mental health. She instructs educators and parents on how neuroscience – that is, how the brain works – can impact the day-to-day of students.

Dr. Harper wears many hats: she is the former educational services director for Positive Education Program in Cleveland, Ohio; she is the founder of Trauma Sensitive Teaching Network; and she has her own practice, Elaine Harper Consulting LLC.

Dr Eliane Harper
https://elaineharper.com/

Amanda Sokell
https://community.amandasokell.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Callum McKirdy was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD in his 40s. Imagine that! He had spent much of his life knowing something was not quite right with his ability to read, think and remember. It hadn’t stopped him from pursuing a successful career in HR, but a chance diagnosis allowed him the opportunity to change the way he thought about himself and help other organisations embrace diversity in their workplaces.

Callum McKirdy
https://callummckirdy.com/

Amanda Sokell
https://community.amandasokell.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jethro Jones advocates making a real difference to the lives of students. As a principal of schools in Alaska, Jethro championed the use of FaceTime or Skype to connect students moving from other US cities. For his leadership, Jethro was awarded Digital Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals in 2017. He is author of the book, ‘School X: How principals can design a transformative school experience for students, teachers, parents, and themselves’. Jethro discusses with host, Amanda Sokell, the importance of valuing all children that are in school.

Amanda Sokell

https://community.amandasokell.com/

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Rochester Independent College is not your typical mainstream school. The average class size is eight, students don’t have to wear a uniform, and they call their teachers by their first names. It also caters for a number of children with educational needs that haven’t been met in other mainstream schools. Assistant Principal and College SENCo Leighton Bright explains to host Amanda Sokell the school’s values of personalised teaching, and the importance of building trust between the teachers, the students and the parents.

Amanda Sokell
https://community.amandasokell.com/

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Clare Norman was unaware her son’s physical development wasn’t progressing as it should have been until she returned home to the UK from Spain. It wasn’t until Santi was 18 months old that a paediatrician discovered his developmental issues. So began Clare’s path to finding the right help and the right school for Santi. She tells host Amanda Sokell that she learnt to never stop asking questions, which led to her getting the right answers to help her son.

Amanda Sokell
https://community.amandasokell.com/ 

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When Hazel Shaw’s daughter, Skye, was diagnosed with learning difficulties, it was important to find the right school with the right support. Although Skye had attended a secondary school which was empathetic and understanding, it didn’t quite have the aid she needed. It led Hazel to apply for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), a long and arduous process, but a blessing in the end. Hazel shares with host Amanda Sokell about the lessons she learnt, and what she would have done differently if she could go back in time.

Amanda Sokell
https://community.amandasokell.com/

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Catherine O’Farrell’s journey began as a primary school teacher in Ireland with multiple classes of up to 36 children. It fascinated her how diverse the needs of children could be. This led her to embark on a Bachelor of Science in Psychology to learn more about the psychology of children.

Today, Catherine is Group Head of Student Services at Bloom Education in the UAE. She talks to host Amanda Sokell about education systems in different parts of the world and how they affect parents and teachers of children with complex needs. 

Amanda Sokell

https://community.amandasokell.com/

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It wasn’t until Louise Dawson’s eldest child, Dylan, was in around Year 3 or 4 that it became obvious to her he had learning difficulties. Prior to that, she and his teachers had noticed some delay with Dylan, and they weren’t particularly concerned.

Louise recalls the anxiety and mother’s guilt at the time, and her struggle to find the right education and support. It’s a fascinating story and there are lessons for other parents who may have children with special educational needs.

Amanda Sokell

https://community.amandasokell.com/

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For a long time, Esther didn’t realise her son George was struggling. At home, he was a very happy little boy, very social and with many friends. But when George started pre-school, he refused to engage; instead, he curled up on the floor to sleep.

At first, it didn’t occur to Esther that there was anything wrong. Perhaps, she thought, it was the school. But a defining moment marked a realisation for Esther that something was not right. It led her on a journey of finding the right channels of support and acceptance.

Amanda Sokell

https://community.amandasokell.com/ 

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Welcome to SENlightened, a podcast made for those playing a supportive role in the life of a child. Whether you’re the committed carer, the eager educator, or the alert individual who wants to make a difference in a child’s life, you have come to the right place to go from doubtful to enlightened. 

Hosted by leading special educational needs mentor, Amanda Sokell. SENlightened encourages enlightenment with a difference because every SEN journey deserves to have its own success story. 

Amanda Sokell
https://community.amandasokell.com/ 

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