ABLE, GIFTED AND TALENTED. ADHD. SURVIVING AND SUCCEEDING IN SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS. EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIOURAL DIFFICULTIES. LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION DIFFICULTIES. PROFOUND AND MULTIPLE LEARNING DIFFICULTIES. VISUAL NEEDS. DYSLEXIA. DYSPRAXIA.
Continuum. pound;7.99 each; pound;60 per set.
Any teacher in training or classroom assistant faced with a child whose needs are unfamiliar will find this series by well-known teachers and academics makes a useful starting point.
In Able, Gifted and Talented, Jane Bates and Sarah Munday suggest ways of extending children’s abilities within the classroom, as well as the more traditional enrichment groups and extra curricular activities. At the other end of the education spectrum, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties looks at an immensely complicated field of teaching, where every child’s needs are unique. This volume can only provide superficial guidance, but it is a useful starting point for those interested in taking their career in this direction.
Fintan O’Regan‘s Surviving and Succeeding in SEN is an overview of the diagnoses that paediatric psychiatrists and other medical professionals use. It has useful descriptions of the children’s difficulties and some ways to help them.
In Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, Ray Howarth and Pam Fisher write from their experience in special schools. There are clear descriptions of the formal steps to be taken when supporting children whose behaviour is a barrier to learning. I like their strategies for building positive relationships with challenging pupils and the importance they see in using displays of work to reinforce the students’ self-esteem.
In Language and Communication Difficulties, Dimitra Hartas offers practical sequences for using social factors to enhance learning. In this way, more able or developmentally advanced pupils can act as tutors to those with special needs. Circle time activities are recommended, with some useful examples of good practice.
There is more practical advice in Visual Needs, which shows how using sound and touch can assist a child’s early learning.
In Dyslexia, Gavin Reid describes programmes that are known to be effective and suggests ways to adapt the curriculum.
Geoff Brooks’ book on dyspraxia is full of well-organised advice and practical ideas.
Scilla Page
Advisory teacher, West Sussex learning support team
