Nip in the Bud with Lauren Whitaker: How and why should schools celebrate diversity?

Nip in the Bud® Podcast - The children's mental health charity

Chapters
2:07
Lauren's background and journey to working in schools
2:52
Working with neurodiverse children and their families
4:11
What is meant by neurodiversity?
6:00
Celebration weeks
7:29
How to work with parents and carers
9:09
How have you focused on treating the needs of a child?
10:26
How to teach differences to the whole class
12:22
What strategies do you use with supporting neurodiverse children?
15:10
Importance of relationships and getting to know the child
17:19
Movement breaks
18:34
Protective behaviours approaches
18:43
Children have the right to feel safe all the time
19:56
Zones of regulation
20:18
Network hand
23:38
How can parents use some of your strategies at home?
Nip in the Bud® Podcast - The children's mental health charity
Nip in the Bud with Lauren Whitaker: How and why should schools celebrate diversity?
Aug 14, 2023

In today's episode, we will be looking at celebrating Neurodiversity and strategies to support neurodiverse children attending mainstream primary schools and nurseries.

I am talking with Lauren Whitaker who has been a teaching assistant, a higher level teaching assistant (HLTA) and a special educational needs manager, working  in schools  for over 15  years.

Lauren has worked with neurodiverse children and their families for years. Supporting them by seeing and  meeting their unique needs, helping them to feel nurtured in school, and guiding them, and those who care for them, to empower learning and encourage development.

Be sure to listen right to the end as Lauren shares many different strategies that she  uses successfully to help children reach their potential and be happy in school.  You can easily adopt or find our more about these strategies and use them with the children you care for.

Helpful links to strategies mentioned in the show:

Nip in the Bud free factsheets:
https://nipinthebud.org/fact-sheet/

Emotion Coaching UK:
https://www.emotioncoachinguk.com/

Nip in the Bud Tips for teachers:
https://nipinthebud.org/films-teachers-category/tips-for-teachers/

Nip in the Bud - Colour coding your emotions:
https://nipinthebud.org/films-for-parents-carers/colour-coding-emotions-for-children/

Protective Behaviours Information:
https://familiesfeelingsafe.co.uk/what-is-protective-behaviours/

My Network Hand:
https://www.mefirst.org.uk/resource/my-network-hand/

Zones of Regulation:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/zones-of-regulation-12361024

Disclaimer: The content provided in the Nip in the Bud podcasts is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to replace or serve as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental health issue.

Nip in the Bud - Where to get help

https://nipinthebud.org/where-to-get-help/