Happy New Year! Hope you had a great Christmas break and are ready for the new term!
Covid lockdowns may feel like a distant memory for some, but for others they are still living with the effects and will continue to for a long time. The media briefly spoke about Britain’s ‘ghost children’ – those who haven’t gone back to school since the Covid pandemic – but this issue has certainly not been given enough attention. The government produced new guidance last year on ‘Working Together to Improve School Attendance’ but it contained very little consideration of the barriers that are preventing some young people from returning to school.
Miriam Saffer joins Dale for the first podcast in 2024 to discuss the ‘long term effects of lockdown on neurodivergent students’. Miriam highlights that many children and young people with SEND are facing significant difficulties returning to ‘normal’ after the Covid pandemic and gaps in learning are only a small part of the puzzle. In order to effectively support these young people, we need to recognise the wide range of barriers that are having an impact on them, including adjusting to a different sensory environment, changes in communication style and deterioration in physical health.
“We’re trying to put young people back into a situation that just isn’t necessarily suited to them.” Miriam Saffer
Understanding the complexity of the issue and collaborating with the full range of professionals who can advise on suitable interventions to support young people is essential.
Useful Links
Instagram – @illuminateinclusion
LinkedIn – Miriam Saffer | LinkedIn
Facebook – Illuminate Inclusion
About Miriam Saffer
Miriam is the founder of Illuminate Inclusion, an organisation that provides a range of services for families, professionals and community organisations.
Miriam is a specialist in neurodiversity who works with a range of needs, including ADHD, autism and dyslexia. Her background is in special educational needs. She has worked extensively across primary, secondary and further education settings both as a teacher and SENCO/ALNCO.
Contact Miriam Saffer
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