Resources for specific SEND areas
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Please click the sections below for specific resources to support children and young people, categrorised by specific SEND need.
General SEND Resources
This initial list of SEND resources has been developed with a focus on accessibility and inclusivity and is based on the recommendations of:
- trusted organisations
- charities
- multi-academy trusts
- special education headteachers
We encourage parents, teachers and schools to explore beyond this list to identify what support is best for their children and pupils with SEND.
SEND: apps and games
(Apps must be downloaded onto a compatible device)
Brain Parade
Website: http://www.brainparade.com/products/see-touch-learn-free/
Description: a visual instruction app, including flash cards and picture-choosing games, for children with autism and special needs.
HelpKidzLearn
Website: https://www.helpkidzlearn.com/
Description: a collection of games and resources designed for a range of educational needs and stages. It includes provision for school closure.
Sensory App House Ltd
Website: https://www.sensoryapphouse.com/
Description: a range of apps are available for pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) or Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD). All are interactive and many do not require significant coordination abilities.
Visuals2Go
Website: https://www.visuals2go.com/
Description: an all-in-one app created to support people with communication and learning difficulties. For verbal and non-verbal learners.
SEND: resources for teachers
Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families
Website: https://www.annafreud.org/media/11160/supporting-schools-and-colleges.pdf
Description: a downloadable guide to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of pupils and students during periods of disruption.
Registration: not required
Do2Learn (USA)
Website: https://do2learn.com/
Description: a range of downloadable resources grouped by theme. Themes include: social skills, songs and games, and picture cards.
Registration: not required
Inclusive Teach
Website: https://inclusiveteach.com/free-printable-sen-teaching-resources/
Description: downloadable teaching resources to support pupils with SEND.
Registration: not required
PMLD thematic units – from the Northern Ireland Curriculum
Website: http://www.nicurriculum.org.uk/curriculum_microsite/SEN_PMLD_thematic_units/index.asp
Description: comprehensive guidance on themed activities for learners with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD). A full sensory curriculum is offered.
Registration: not required
Priory Woods School
Website: http://www.priorywoods.middlesbrough.sch.uk/page/?title=Resources&pid=3
Description: resources from an award-winning, innovative school, rated by Ofsted as outstanding and put together by SEND teachers. The resources include apps and programmes.
Registration: not required
SEND Gateway
Website: https://www.sendgateway.org.uk/whole-school-send/find-wss-resources/nqt-videos.html
Description: A range of SEND guidance videos created in collaboration with the Centre for Education and Youth (CfEY) in addition to many other experts within the sector. Aimed at Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs).
Registration: not required
SENict Activities
Website: https://www.ianbean.co.uk/senict-members-resource-portal
Description: downloadable activities aimed particularly at Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) and Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) learners.
Registration: not required
SEN Teacher
Website: https://www.senteacher.org/
Description: downloadable resources that can be adapted to suit the needs of pupils. Resources are aimed at a range of abilities.
Registration: not required
Speech and Language Kids
Website: https://www.speechandlanguagekids.com/free-speech-language-resources/
Description: a range of education and therapy resources for speech and language problems. A podcast is also available on iTunes for verbal and non-verbal children.
Registration: not required
Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
Website: https://www.teachingvisuallyimpaired.com/
Description: a range of downloadable resources to support blind and visually impaired pupils.
Registration: is required
UCL Centre for Inclusive Education
Description: a guide to help parents adjust to remote learning by providing advice and links to resources.
Registration: not required
Other resources
There are other resources available. BESA’s LendEd website and the EdTech Impact website, for example, include varied resources that teachers already use and rate within the websites.
These have not been verified by DfE’s educational experts but we have included them on the list because they also cover other areas of the curriculum that are not covered above.
https://www.sendgateway.org.uk/whole-school-send/find-wss-resources/nqt-videos.html
ADHD
Please click this link for information an resources linked to ADHD.
Autism
Deafness and Hearing Support
Talking to deaf / hard of hearing children about COVID-19
Online Resources for Deafness and Hearing Support
Some apps your children might enjoy
Connecting a Roger TouchScreen to a TV
NDCS tutors have filmed themselves in lockdown so that you and your families can still learn British Sign Language (BSL) to use at home with all the family.
They have created 12 free weekly lessons especially for families of deaf children. There are different lessons in each of the nations. Lesson 1 and 2 are already available.
These are in addition to their online events that they're running during the lockdown to support families:
https://www.ndcs.org.uk/our-services/our-events/online-events/
Down Syndrome
A list of resources to support learners with Down Syndrome and their families - Down Syndrome
Inclusive apps - Inclusive technology
Foetal Alcohol Syndrome
FASD - Teaching resources for children with FASD
Makaton
Makaton resources
- Free Makaton resources - Makaton
- Green Eggs and Ham - Makaton signed Dr Zeuss Story
- Signing sessions - Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2pm - Soundabout
- Signing Hands - Signed stories On Mon-Fri 10.30am join Signing Hands, on FaceBook / YouTube or Zoom for some daily fun
- Makaton-signed video -To help those with communication difficulties understand the current situation
- Makaton Coronavirus social story - Free to download
Speech Language and Communication Needs
SPEECH, LANGUAGE and COMMUNICATION NEEDS |
What are speech, language and communication difficulties?
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How can I help children in my classroom?
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Taking it further
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DYSLEXIA |
What is dyslexia?
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How can I help children in my classroom?
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Please click this link for a document containing details of resources for parents and schools staff relating to Speech Language and Communications Needs.
Literacy resources - Dyslexia and learning difficulties
- Dyslexia friendly - free, fun resources - Crossbow Education
- Reader Pen - A pen scanner for those with reading difficulties - that reads text out aloud in English/Spanish/French - Free 14 day trial - Sign up here
- CrickerSoft - Reading and writing software for all abilities - Free during this period
- Inclusive apps - Inclusive technology
- Learn to touch-type - Free access
- Sight word practice
- Free apps to support students who have reading difficulties - Accessibyte
- Phonic reading games for all children, including those who cannot read or have dyslexia. Email: [email protected] for 20% off using cv2020 - Trugs
- Emily Weston - 16 activities that children can use to aid their home reading, or their reading in school. It has a range of skills included such as prediction, summarizing and inference
- Free access to Clicker at home during this period - CrickSoftware
- Teach your child to read - free resources
- Free, fun reading games online
- PedFed - Free, daily literacy videos
- Free Phonics resources for children with SEND - Ann Sullivan (you might be asked to create a free account to access the resources)
- Reading aloud - Children can listen to stories being read aloud - YouTube
- Free online picture book activities - from books children might recognise - Anderson Press
- David Walliams - One audio story every day - free
- Gruffalo workshop, and lots more. Plus stories read by Tony Ross, author - 7 stories, Facebook
- Podcasts on dyslexia - SENDcast
Vision Impairment
Vision impairment resources
- The Royal Society for Blind Children (RSBC) has a variety of online and live activities: https://www.rsbc.org.uk/live-life-go-further
- Resources and activity ideas for families with children with VI
https://www.positiveeye.co.uk/our-services-2/bespoke-courses/activity-shares-for-families-covid19/
- Audiobooks websites
- Worksheets in Braille - BrailleWeek
- Resources to support those with VI
- Free apps to support students who are blind or visually impaired - Accessibite
- Inclusive apps - Inclusive technology
Staying healthy:
Stay in Work Out British Blind Sport https://britishblindsport.org.uk/stay-in-work-out/?fbclid=IwAR3KGEu9DtrLIYb_qitoFWay69DCPnkGyEyhbgbdq23pD1doZB_PdmeXRJw
Eye’s Free Fitness: Audio only fitness classes for children with vision impairment, including meditation and yoga: https://www.blindalive.com/
Literacy Ideas and Support
Free Audiobooks: https://www.rnib.org.uk/rnibconnect/easyreader-app
LOOK-UK: online storytelling workshops, youth forums and online arts and crafts sessions: https://www.look-uk.org/meet-up/
DoorWayOnline: touch typing programme with audio and large letters
https://www.doorwayonline.org.uk/activities/text-type/text-type.html
CVI-friendly videos
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/resources/cvi-friendly-videos
Thinking Outside the Lightbox- A Facebook page dedicated to videos and activities for children with CVI https://www.facebook.com/Thinkingoutsidethelightbox/
Varous Activities
Lots of activities and ideas for children who are blind or have a vision impairment: https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/
Positive Eye: Fun ideas and activities for all children including those with a VI with/without additional needs: https://www.positiveeye.co.uk/our-services-2/bespoke-courses/activity-shares-for-families-covid19/
Scottish Sensory Centre: Various resources for early years children with a sensory impairment/additional needs: http://www.ssc.education.ed.ac.uk/earlyyears/
VICTA Parent Portal: ‘A one stop information hub for all parents and carers raising a child who is blind or partially sighted.’: https://www.victa.org.uk/introducing-victa-parent-portal/ and www.facebook.com/groups/VICTAParentNetwork
VICTA educational resources https://www.victaparents.org.uk/covid-19-lockdown-resources/
RNIB key resources for families: https://www.sightadvicefaq.org.uk/independent-living/Covid-19-CYPF-SAFAQ
RSBC: online assistive tech and employment sessions, lunch clubs, youth forums, virtual creative sessions: https://www.rsbc.org.uk/live-life-go-further
Various support webinars for parents and professionals https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUj6DcM1nN3EGnleJhGT296nMNJj9IwmB
More details regarding the Sensory Impairment Offer following school closures can be found in the team’s Spring Newsletter, which has just been published, and further useful resources that have been produced by the team are as follows:
- Speaking about the Coronavirus with children who have a hearing or vision impairment.
- Supporting children and young people with developing their touch typing
- Keyboard shortcuts for Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac
- Short guide, explaining how to attach a new ear mould to a hearing aid, in case this is required.
- How to add subtitles to popular streaming services at home
Furthermore, the National Deaf Children's Society have also produced a page dedicated to providing information for families following the school closures.
Occupational Therapy
Please click the following links for specific advice on:
- How to set up a therapy session
- Bimanual Activities for Younger Children
- Bimanual Activities for Older Children
- Cutlery Skills
- Dressing Programmes
- Encouraging use of the affected hand
- Occupational Therapy Home Regulation Programme
- Occupational Therapy Home Regulation Programme - little ones
- Occupational Therapy Home Regulation Programme with Oral Motor
- Oral Motor Programme
- 'Indoor but active' regulating activities calendar
- Positioning Advice
- Positioning Chart
- Useful online resources
Sensory Activities
Downloads
- ADHD
- Ascend - parent course (NHS)
- Online resources for Deafness and Hearing Support
- Talking to hearing impaired children about Coronavirus
- Some apps your children might enjoy (hearing impairment)
- Using subtitles at home
- Connecting a Roger TouchScreen to a TV
- SLCN Resources
- Advice on how to set up a therapy session
- Bimanual Activities for Older Children
- Bimanual Activities Younger Children
- Cutlery skills.pdf
- Dressing Programme.pdf
- Encouraging use of the affected hand.pdf
- Occupational Therapy Home Regulation Programme with Oral Motor
- Occupational Therapy Home Regulation Programme
- Occupational Therapy Home Regulation Programme - little ones
- ORAL MOTOR PROGRAMME.pdf
- OT regulating activities calendar.pdf
- Positioning advice.pdf
- Positioning chart.pdf
- Useful online resources.pdf
- Calming activities.pdf
- Creating sensory experiences.pdf
- Messy play ideas Restrictive eating programme.pdf
- Self care summer primary pack
- Self care summer secondary pack