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Advances in SEN

Exploring the Advances in SEN Education and Charting a Visionary Path Ahead

Massrat Shaikh goes into detail on both progressions and setbacks in the field of Special Educational Needs.

As the calendar year ends, it is prudent for me as an educational psychologist to engage in a reflective exercise concerning the advancements and obstacles encountered in the realm of Special Educational Needs (SEN). I aim to present here my perspective on the observed developments within the SEN education landscape.

Educational Enhancements in the academic year 2022 - 2023:

The current academic year witnessed significant progress in implementing inclusive practices within mainstream schools. Especially after COVID, 19 majorities of the students returned with considerable gaps in learning. Hence teachers embraced differentiated instruction methods, allowing students with learning challenges to participate actively in the learning process alongside their peers. Inclusive education fostered better academic outcomes, nurtured social integration and mutual understanding among students, and helped them catch up from the COVID learning slide.

This year there has also been the continuation of the rise in educational software and accessibility features in mainstream devices. Technology integration has always been crucial in transforming SEN education. Assistive technologies, such as text-to-speech, voice recognition tools, and augmented reality applications, empowered students with diverse learning needs to access curriculum content effectively—these technological advancements personalized learning and increased students' independence and engagement. Though controversial at this stage, the addition of AI, such as ChatGPT, this year has a lot of potential to provide learning support to SEN students.

Collaborative efforts between educators, parents, and support professionals continued to improve and became more prominent. This multi-stakeholder collaboration ensured that students with SEN received holistic support inside and outside the classroom. Regular communication and sharing of resources and strategies helped create a more comprehensive support network for these students.

Areas for Improvement in 2023 - 2024:

Despite progress, many schools still face challenges in providing sufficient funding and resources for SEN education. In 2024, policymakers and educational authorities must prioritize investment in specialized training for teachers, accessible learning materials, assistive technologies and providing remedial learning. Adequate funding will ensure that all students with SEN receive the necessary support to thrive academically. Sometimes all these children need is a little specialized help to overcome their learning gaps, and both schools and children thrive when the needs of all learners in a school are met.

Ongoing professional development opportunities for teachers and support staff are essential to enhance their understanding of SEN and ability to implement effective strategies. In 2024, schools should prioritize providing comprehensive training programs that equip educators with the necessary knowledge and skills to cater to students' diverse needs in mainstream classrooms. Such training should focus on evidence-based practices, differentiated instruction, and utilizing assistive technologies.

Strengthening Assessment and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) are crucial in tailoring education to meet the specific needs of students with SEN. It is imperative to enhance the quality and accuracy of assessments to ensure IEPs are effective. Implementing a standardized yet flexible framework for assessment can enable educators to identify students' strengths, areas of improvement and support requirements more accurately.

While academic progress is essential, fostering social inclusion is equally vital. Creating opportunities for meaningful interactions and friendships among students with and without SEN is another area we should focus on. Encouraging peer support programs, extracurricular activities, and awareness campaigns will help break down barriers and promote a culture of acceptance and understanding.

In conclusion, the SEN education landscape has witnessed both progress and challenges throughout the year. By addressing these challenges, we can foster an educational environment that empowers students with SEN to thrive and achieve their full potential.

And as we come to the end of the year, It is natural that we all want to be done with it. However, if we view the end of the school year as the beginning of the next, we know we are just at the bottom of one hill and the beginning of another.

To activate hope during this transition, I share a four-step mindfulness exercise of Honorable Closure, developed by cultural anthropologist Angeles Arrien that reflects on the following questions:

• Gratitude: What am I grateful for from this experience?
• Positive Impact: Where was I positively impacted?
• Challenge: Where was I stretched or challenged?
• Reparation: Is there anything I need to do or say to feel complete?
• How can the summer create the conditions for you to thrive next year?
• What professional learning might support you in doing that?

May this summer be a transformative time of deepening our compassion, kindness, and understanding of ourselves and others. Let us radiate love and create a ripple effect of positivity, unity, and inclusion in our schools and our communities. 
 

Author:
Massrat Shaikh 
Educational Psychologist. 
Massrat is an Educational Psychologist with expertise in special education, and she is the provider of learning solutions for individuals with special educational needs. Connect with Massrat at www.massratshaikh.com