Understanding SEND (Special Educaional Needs and Disabilities) in a non-traditional way

Even in today’s society, there is a massive stigma when it comes to SEND. In the United Kingdom, facilities for those who have it is hugely lacking and support within schools and workplaces just isn’t up to scratch.

SEND, can affect a person’s ability to learn and understand the world around them. Different disorders can affect their behaviour, socialisation skills, reading/writing, understanding, concentration and their physical ability.

It is a common misconception that having SEND affects a person’s intelligence and in some cases this is true, but most of the time, these people use their SEND as their superpower and thrive within life.

This does however, come with extensive support from schools, outside agencies and their caregivers, which quite often can lead to battles being fought in order to gain funding and provisions.

To understand SEND, you first need to understand the four types of special educational needs and disabilities;

Communication and Interaction - including those with Autism (ASD) and those with Speech, Language and Communication Needs.

Cognition and Learning -  including those with specific to profound and multiple Learning Difficulties.

Social, Emotional and Mental Health -  this includes anyone who suffers with an emotional, social or mental health need that ultimately impacts their ability to learn.

Sensory and Physical Needs – Within this area it includes those who have Physical Difficulties, Visual Impairment, Multi-sensory Impairment and Hearing impairment.

A person with SEND will possibly require additional provisions to aid their learning and everyday life. Each person is individual, so they will need a tailored plan to suit their specific needs, but these could include;

·         Extra support

·         Alternative Learning Strategies

·         Specialised Equipment

Unfortunately in the United Kingdom, there have been cuts to SEND funding that has caused significant problems within mainstream schools and their abilities to scaffold a child with additional needs. Yes, there are ‘Special Schools’ for those with severe SEND, but for those who do not meet that criteria, many children are slipping through the net. If the UK can’t help these children, we have a whole generation that aren’t able to reach their full potential. Here are a few well known people that surpassed the average and sored through life making a name for themselves whilst having SEND;

·         Stephen Hawkin – A theoretical physicist, astrophysicist, cosmologist, and eminent scientist with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

·         Stevie Wonder – An American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer who is Blind

·         Satoshi Tajiri - Pokémon Inventor who has Asperger’s Syndrome

·         Rosie Jones  - Comedian and screen play writer with Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

·         Justin Timberlake - Singer, song writer, producer and actor who has ADHD and OCD

·         Warwick Davis – Actor who was born with Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita, a rare form of Dwarfism

·         Daniel Radcliffe – Actor that has Dyspraxia

·         Albert Einstein - Scientist and Mathematician with ASD – Autism Spectrum Disorder

·         Elon Musk - CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, and he also holds the position of a "special government employee" leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the U.S. government, he accomplished this with Asperger's Syndrome

Let us break the stereotyping and follow in the footsteps of others. According to the Akashic Records, those who are neurodivergent have a deeper awareness of the physical-spiritual integration. These people are fluid in their way of seeing the world that doesn’t always conform to most people’s more linear way of thinking and doing things. The Akashic Records suggest that these people have a clearer understanding and have evolved so they are not limited to a three-dimensional world, they are more sensitive and have a different cognitive style that enhances them intellectually and spiritually.

With this in mind, their thoughts on a neurodivergence actually insinuates that those who are ‘normal’ are actually an old version of our species. Could that explain why there are more and more cases of children being diagnoses with various SEND, because they are in fact the ‘new’ version of humanity?

Go ahead and research how SEND is thought of spiritually and you will find an abundance of information on how different cultures and religions actually embrace these differences and harness their special abilities.

In conclusion, yes, the world is a difficult place when you are ‘different’, but why can’t we open ourselves up to the possibility that these people are actually more advanced versions of us? The world should be inclusive and if we are constantly fighting for inclusion when it comes to Gender, Sexuality, Finances and Body Positivity etc. why are we not making a bigger effort for those who have SEND? Even if those with SEND aren’t a more advanced and aware race, surely we should be supporting the next generation better and instilling into them that they are no less than anyone else?

Obviously this is just a snippet into the world of SEND, but I hope you enjoyed my non-traditional way of looking at things. If you would like more on the subject, make sure to comment below!