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The Journal for Special Needs

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SEN Magazine is a glossy, full colour magazine published every two months, and packed full of interesting and authoritative features, news and articles covering all issues to do with SEN and disability. It's essential reading for teachers, educationalists, carers, parents, therapists and all practitioners in special needs. Click here

Latest issue of SEN Magazine

Next issue out end of June '09
Features include: Sex education, phonics, cerebral palsy, bullying, SPD, special needs law, looked after children, PDDNOS, communication aids, lifts and hoists, transition, visual impairment and school furnishings. Plus news, reviews, our bumper CPD and training section and much more. More

Contribute to SEN Magazine
Got something to say? If you would like to contribute an article, letter, news item or point of view piece, we'd love to hear from you. Email: editor@senmagazine.co.uk

SEN Magazine: Keeping you informed and up to date

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SEN News

Parents driving ADHD diagnosis
50 per cent of parents are now involved in driving diagnosis of ADHD in their children, according to the results of the European ADHD Caregiver Survey, announced last month in Vienna. Fear and concern around performance at school are identified as key factors encouraging parents to seek help and diagnosis. More

"The Fonz" launches special needs teaching award
Henry Winkler, the actor best known as "The Fonz" from TV's Happy Days, has announced the inauguration of the Henry Winkler Teaching Award for Special Needs. Mr Winkler, who is dyslexic, chose the Teaching Awards as his favourite charity in a competition between celebrities to win £40,000 from Absolute Radio. More

Forty per cent of children with autism could be undiagnosed
For every three children that are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) another two with the condition could be undiagnosed, claims a study by the Autism Research Centre at Cambridge University. The study, published in the The British Journal of Psychiatry, suggests that around one in every 64 people might have ASD. More

BSF school design standard launched
A new minimum design standard to encourage excellence in the design of Building Schools for the Future (BSF) schools has been launched by Schools Minister Jim Knight. Proposed school designs will be assessed by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, and those buildings that do not meet the minimum standard will not be able to proceed through procurement. More

Simmonds breaks world record at Paralympic World Cup
Fourteen year old swimming sensation, Eleanor Simmonds, smashed the world record in the S6 100m freestyle at the BT Paralympic World Cup at the end of May. The double Paralympic gold medallist and winner of BBC's Young Sports Personality of the Year award, wowed crowds in Manchester as Britain's swimmers dominated proceedings in the pool. More

Disability Rights Handbook published
The Disability Alliance last week published the latest edition of the Disability Rights Handbook. Written by claimants, the handbook aims to provide a jargon-free guide to welfare benefits and tax credits for people with a disability or health condition. More

Government guidance for teachers on information sharing
The Government has published revised information on sharing guidance and support materials to help those working with children and young people work together more effectively. Information Sharing: Guidance for practitioners and managers provides clarity on how to share information legally and professionally. More

Disabled children to "fly" at theatre
Children's theatre company Oily Cart, and young circus performance company Ockham's Razor are producing a unique show at Manchester International Festival specifically for young people with complex disabilities or an autistic spectrum disorder. Something in the Air will take six young people per performance on an airborne adventure in specially created seats which will allow them to "fly" in safety and comfort amongst Ockham's Razor aerialists. More

Attitudes towards disability are shocking
Families with disabled children feel stigmatised and excluded from society, claims a recent report by Contact a Family. The survey, of 615 UK families, pointed to negative attitudes towards disability and a lack of services as the main barriers preventing families with disabled children from leading ordinary lives. More

Featured Organisations

Mike Ayres Design
Soft Play Rooms
Mike Ayres has been designing, manufacturing and installing Soft Play Rooms for 30 years. They are completely soft, safe, adventurous spaces for people of all ages and all abilities. We also create special spaces for chilling out in, relaxation and extra safety.

Sensory Studio
Mike Ayres Design are the creators of the original and very best 'Sensory Studios', sensory rooms, multi-sensory environments and a wide range of other Sensory resources. These include; The Sensory Trolley, 'Switch2' control system, LED colour change lights and Responsive Bubble Tube. Contact 01359 251551 More

Priory Group
Priory Education Services are the leading independent provider of specialist education and care for children aged four upwards. Our 22 specialist facilities nationwide offer flexible programmes individually tailored to meet the needs of young people with challenging behavioural, emotional and social difficulties, complex learning difficulties, dyslexia, autistic spectrum disorders and Asperger's syndrome. More

Educational Publishers

Rapid Writing and Reading - Thousands of teachers already know and trust Rapid's award-winning resources, proven to improve reading standards. Rapid Writing, also written by Dee Reid and Diana Bentley, is ideal for use with struggling writers in small groups and for one-to-one support. Cutting-edge text-to-speech software actually reads back children's writing to them and the engaging Pupil Logs tackle the elements of writing children find the hardest. Get your FREE Rapid Demo Disk at www.heinemann.co.uk/rapid.

Rapid Maths offers the personalised learning and repeated practise that children need to help them catch up in maths. The comic-style Pupil Books help to motivate children and the software puts them in control of their learning. Founded on proven teaching strategies and written by Rose Griffiths, the vibrant design and accessible reading levels are perfect for less-confident learners. Get your FREE Rapid Demo Disk a www.heinemann.co.uk/rapid.

Volunteer Jobs

I'd love to change the world but...
You can. Share your SEN expertise in one of VSO's educational programmes across Africa and Asia. In return you will be eligible for a package of benefits, including reimbursement of your public sector (TPS) pension. More information
Registered charity England and Wales (313757); Scotland (SCO 039117)


CPD, Training and Events

Beyond Boundaries Live 2009
In partnership with the Guardian Newspaper
Always looked for an inspiration to be active and challenged and fancy having a fantastic day out packed with fun, action and adventure? Join us at Beyond Boundaries Live and discover the Paralympic & Sporting Village, have a go at rock climbing, football, basketball, beep ball and lots more. Test drive the latest cars, hand cycles and wheelchairs and meet loads of fantastic exhibitors. If that's not enough, get involved in the celebrity chef cooking zone, visit a range of inspiring speaker sessions or simply be blown away by a stunning live fashion show.

Make sure you don't miss Beyond Boundaries Live 2009...the 'up and coming' event in this market. Book your tickets at www.beyondboundarieslive.co.uk.

04/06/2009 - 05/06/2009
Down Syndrome Education Conferences
Manchester
Expert training for professionals supporting young children who have Down syndrome - see www.downsed.com/conferences

05/06/2009 - 08/06/2009
Train Walk
Join the Train Walk, organised by the National Autistic Society and help raise money for autism awareness. Supported by Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends, the Train Walks are being held all over England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and are usually one mile round trip. More

06/06/2009
Emotional Intelligence in Schools: Making It A Reality
London
This conference will focus on the psychological, interpersonal, developmental and neurobiological factors that contribute to an emotionally healthy school environment. More

12/06/09
Deaf Parenting UK Annual Conference: Education, Education, Education!
London
Annual conference for the organisation run by deaf parents, for deaf parents. For further details, SMS: 07789 027186 (text only), E-Fax: 0871 2643323. More

12/06/09
Understanding Autism
Torquay
The conference is open to teachers, parents and any individuals with an interest in autism. It is designed to help identify, support and plan for pupils with ASD. More

15/06/2009 and 20/06/09
Double Doodle for Development
A highly practical 1 day workshop for teachers. Enhance learning, focus, social and creative skills with a unique blend of free-flowing drawing and painting techniques and developmental movement activities.

15 June 09 - Perth, Scotland or
20 June 09 - Central London

Cost: £125 including lunch.
Information & booking:
Telephone: 0845 6522562
Email: contact@3dseminars.co.uk
Web: www.3dseminars.co.uk

16/06/09 - 17/06/09
Linkage College Open Days and 30th Birthday Celebrations
Lincolnshire
Open Days at Toynton, Spilsby, Lincolnshire, on 16 June and Weelsby, Grimsby, on 17 June will also celebrate Linkage College's 30th birthday. Linkage College is an OFSTED Grade 1 Outstanding College (February 2008) for young adults with learning difficulties/disabilities. Linkage welcomes Open Day visitors. Tel: 01472 372400, e-mail: college@linkage.org.uk

16/06/09
Team Around the Child
Birmingham
Concerned with babies and young children who require ongoing multiple interventions, this seminar looks at an inter-agency, joined-up approach, beyond co-ordination of interventions, into detailed collaboration over the child's development and learning programmes. More

17/06/09
Mobility Education for Children who are Blind or Partially Sighted
London
The course offers delegates the opportunity to consider what mobility training involves and to recognise best practice in aiding the teaching of mobility in education. More

18/06/2009
Kidz South
Established by the Disabled Living charity, this year's exhibition in Reading focuses on equipment, products and services for disabled children, their families and for carers and professionals who work with them. For more information or to register call 0161-214-5962 or via email. More

18/06/2009
The HARP Symposium
Hendon, London
Symposium on the inclusion of students with autism spectrum conditions, to celebrate the launch of Hendon Autism Resourced Provision (HARP). More

19/06/2009 - 21/06/2009
NAS Trek Ben Nevis
Join the National Autistic Society and challenge yourself to a weekend of trekking up Britain's highest mountain. More

19/06/2009
Every Child Matters - Do They? 5 Years On
West Bromwich
Conference examining how the implementation of the Every Child Matters Change for Children Programme has impacted on the lives of children and young people. More

20/06/2009
From the Pain of Insecure Attachment, Separation and Loss to Effective Intervention
London
Two of the world's leading attachment authors will explore the subject of insecure attachment. More

24/06/09
Prior's Court Autism Conference
Thatcham, Berkshire
The conference includes presentations from some of the most respected experts in the country, covering the latest autism research and knowledge, interventions, best practice and a personal insight into living with autism. More

24/06/09
AAC - What is There to Say?
Ace Centre, Oxford
This course takes a detailed look at the range of vocabulary packages available to support the development of an individual's communication system, and identifies strategies for personalisation of vocabularies. £160. Contact training@ace-centre.org.uk or 01865 759 800.

24/06/2009
Guide to Managing Challenging Behaviour
Armada House, Bristol
This workshop outlines a powerful and effective model for dealing with difficult behaviours, including the most challenging behaviours. First covering the variables that need to be put in place before you have any chance of being successful with behaviour intervention strategies, we follow with the key elements in successful behaviour management interventions. Lots of practical ideas! 01273 609 555 More

27/06/2009 - 28/06/2009
Kids Fun Ideas Show
Manchester
The exhibition is designed to give families ideas for things to do in the summer holidays. Exhibitors include many major attractions and there will be live stage shows and hands-on workshop areas for kids. More

01/07/2009
A Teacher's Guide to Organising and Managing the Classroom
Park Inn, Nottingham
This workshop focuses on practical ideas to create meaningful learning activities, motivate students, organise the classroom and develop communication, especially through using PECS to access the National Curriculum. Attendees will participate in practical activities designed to be useful in planning effective lessons. This workshop is relevant for those working with both primary and secondary aged students with communication difficulties. 01273 609 555 More