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In this episode of The SEND Network Podcast, host Georgie Green is joined by Dr. Daniel Weisberg, Founder and Managing Director of CAYP Psychology, to explore the growing challenge of children and young people who find attending school emotionally overwhelming.

While many children occasionally resist going to school, this conversation focuses on those for whom simply getting through the school gates feels impossible. Daniel explains the crucial difference between typical reluctance and emotionally based school avoidance, the role anxiety plays, and why masking can mean difficulties go unnoticed for years.

Together, they discuss:
Early warning signs for parents and educators
The importance of sensitive, collaborative support plans
Practical classroom adjustments that protect dignity
How to communicate with anxious children without increasing pressure
What can be done to prevent escalation

This episode offers thoughtful, evidence-informed insight for SEND practitioners, school leaders and families seeking to better understand and support children experiencing school-related anxiety.

🎧 Available to listen on all major podcast platforms
📺 Watch the full episode now on the SEND Network

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2158480/fan_mail/new">Get in touch</a>In this episode of The SEND Network Podcast, host Georgie Green is joined by Dr. Daniel Weisberg, Founder and Managing Director of CAYP Psychology, to explore the growing challenge of children and young people who find attending school emotionally overwhelming.While many children occasionally resist going to school, this conversation focuses on those for whom simply getting through the school gates feels impossible. Daniel explains the crucial difference between typical reluctance and emotionally based school avoidance, the role anxiety plays, and why masking can mean difficulties go unnoticed for years.Together, they discuss:<ul><li>Early warning signs for parents and educators</li><li>The importance of sensitive, collaborative support plans</li><li>Practical classroom adjustments that protect dignity</li><li>How to communicate with anxious children without increasing pressure</li><li>What can be done to prevent escalation</li></ul>This episode offers thoughtful, evidence-informed insight for SEND practitioners, school leaders and families seeking to better understand and support children experiencing school-related anxiety.🎧 Available to listen on all major podcast platforms 📺 Watch the full episode now on the SEND Network

The SEND Network Podcast is produced by the SEND Network, and provides expert insight  to help practitioners in the special educational needs and disabilities sector to shape their practice

The SEND Network Podcast is produced by the SEND Network, and provides expert insight&nbsp; to help practitioners in the special educational needs and disabilities sector to shape their practice

The SEND Network Podcast

Season 9 Episode 3: Emotionally Based School Avoidance: Identification, Intervention and Support

In this episode of the SEND Network podcast, Georgie Green welcomes back Dr Tej Samani from MyPerformanceLearning to explore the role that sport, movement and healthy competition can play in children and young people’s development.

Drawing on his experience as a former professional tennis player and a student who struggled within traditional education, Dr Tej explains how being coached helped him approach learning differently. Rather than seeing academic difficulties as personal failures, he learned to view them as individual skills that could be practised, developed and improved.

They also consider what schools can learn from sports coaching, why subjects such as sport, music and the arts deserve a greater place in education, and how movement can offer young people a valuable alternative to social media and excessive screen time during the summer holidays.

Discover more expert insights, practical resources and conversations from across the SEND community on the SEND Network at send-network.co.uk

In this episode of the SEND Network podcast, Georgie Green welcomes back Dr Tej Samani from MyPerformanceLearning to explore the role that sport, movement and healthy competition can play in children and young people&rsquo;s development.
Drawing on his experience as a former professional tennis player and a student who struggled within traditional education, Dr Tej explains how being coached helped him approach learning differently. Rather than seeing academic difficulties as personal failures, he learned to view them as individual skills that could be practised, developed and improved.
They also consider what schools can learn from sports coaching, why subjects such as sport, music and the arts deserve a greater place in education, and how movement can offer young people a valuable alternative to social media and excessive screen time during the summer holidays.
Discover more expert insights, practical resources and conversations from across the SEND community on the SEND Network at <a href="https://send-network.co.uk/">send-network.co.uk</a>

What can sport teach us about learning, resilience and supporting young people with SEND?

Writer and comedian Katie Mulgrew joins host Georgie Green to discuss parenting her autistic and ADHD son, Jim, and the journey towards better understanding his needs.

Katie recently explored this experience in her Guardian article, “I was struggling to understand my autistic son – until we watched an episode of Doctor Who.” She explains how he recognised his own energy, emotions and “fizziness” in David Tennant’s portrayal of the Doctor, giving them a new way to talk about how he was feeling.

Katie also reflects on diagnosis, masking, emotional regulation, school attendance and the importance of children feeling safe and understood. The conversation explores the transformative role of television, comedy, music and the arts in helping neurodivergent young people express themselves, find community and see new possibilities.

Discover more expert insights, practical resources and conversations from across the SEND community on the SEND Network at https://send-network.co.uk/

Writer and comedian Katie Mulgrew joins host Georgie Green to discuss parenting her autistic and ADHD son, Jim, and the journey towards better understanding his needs.
Katie recently explored this experience in her Guardian article, &ldquo;I was struggling to understand my autistic son &ndash; until we watched an episode of Doctor Who.&rdquo; She explains how he recognised his own energy, emotions and &ldquo;fizziness&rdquo; in David Tennant&rsquo;s portrayal of the Doctor, giving them a new way to talk about how he was feeling.
Katie also reflects on diagnosis, masking, emotional regulation, school attendance and the importance of children feeling safe and understood. The conversation explores the transformative role of television, comedy, music and the arts in helping neurodivergent young people express themselves, find community and see new possibilities.
Discover more expert insights, practical resources and conversations from across the SEND community on the SEND Network at https://send-network.co.uk/

Doctor Who, Autism and the Power of Representation | Katie Mulgrew

Practical strategies for creating sensory-inclusive classrooms and supporting communication, regulation and independence.

In this episode of the SEND Network Podcast, pda dad is joined by Olly Elm-Robinson, Advanced Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, and Dionne Nmai, Advanced Specialist Occupational Therapist from Seashell Trust.

Together, they explore the growing importance of sensory processing and sensory inclusion within education, discussing how sensory differences can affect communication, behaviour, attention, learning and emotional regulation. Drawing on their experience working with children and young people with complex needs, they explain why understanding the reasons behind behaviour is often the key to providing effective support.

The conversation covers practical adaptations that can be made in both specialist and mainstream settings, including classroom environments, movement breaks, self-advocacy tools, sensory-friendly learning spaces and approaches to school uniforms. Olly and Dionne also share examples of simple strategies that can benefit entire classrooms while still meeting individual needs.

Special thanks to pda dad for producing and editing this episode.

🎧 Available to listen on all major podcast platforms

📺 Watch the full episode now on the SEND Network at send-network.co.uk

Practical strategies for creating sensory-inclusive classrooms and supporting communication, regulation and independence.
In this episode of the SEND Network Podcast, pda dad is joined by Olly Elm-Robinson, Advanced Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, and Dionne Nmai, Advanced Specialist Occupational Therapist from Seashell Trust.
Together, they explore the growing importance of sensory processing and sensory inclusion within education, discussing how sensory differences can affect communication, behaviour, attention, learning and emotional regulation. Drawing on their experience working with children and young people with complex needs, they explain why understanding the reasons behind behaviour is often the key to providing effective support.
The conversation covers practical adaptations that can be made in both specialist and mainstream settings, including classroom environments, movement breaks, self-advocacy tools, sensory-friendly learning spaces and approaches to school uniforms. Olly and Dionne also share examples of simple strategies that can benefit entire classrooms while still meeting individual needs.
Special thanks to pda dad for producing and editing this episode.
🎧 Available to listen on all major podcast platforms
📺 Watch the full episode now on the SEND Network at <a href="https://send-network.co.uk/">send-network.co.uk</a>

Season 9 Episode 3: Emotionally Based School Avoidance: Identification, Intervention and Support

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