Resources for specific SEND areas

Actions

Add to shortlist

Please click the sections below for specific resources to support children and young people, categrorised by specific SEND need.

General SEND Resources

This initial list of SEND resources has been developed with a focus on accessibility and inclusivity and is based on the recommendations of:

  • trusted organisations
  • charities
  • multi-academy trusts
  • special education headteachers

We encourage parents, teachers and schools to explore beyond this list to identify what support is best for their children and pupils with SEND.

SEND: apps and games

(Apps must be downloaded onto a compatible device)

Brain Parade

Website: http://www.brainparade.com/products/see-touch-learn-free/

Description: a visual instruction app, including flash cards and picture-choosing games, for children with autism and special needs.

HelpKidzLearn

Website: https://www.helpkidzlearn.com/

Description: a collection of games and resources designed for a range of educational needs and stages. It includes provision for school closure.

Sensory App House Ltd

Website: https://www.sensoryapphouse.com/

Description: a range of apps are available for pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) or Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD). All are interactive and many do not require significant coordination abilities.

Visuals2Go

Website: https://www.visuals2go.com/

Description: an all-in-one app created to support people with communication and learning difficulties. For verbal and non-verbal learners.

SEND: resources for teachers

Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families

Website: https://www.annafreud.org/media/11160/supporting-schools-and-colleges.pdf

Description: a downloadable guide to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of pupils and students during periods of disruption.

Registration: not required

Do2Learn (USA)

Website: https://do2learn.com/

Description: a range of downloadable resources grouped by theme. Themes include: social skills, songs and games, and picture cards.

Registration: not required

Inclusive Teach

Website: https://inclusiveteach.com/free-printable-sen-teaching-resources/

Description: downloadable teaching resources to support pupils with SEND.

Registration: not required

PMLD thematic units – from the Northern Ireland Curriculum

Website: http://www.nicurriculum.org.uk/curriculum_microsite/SEN_PMLD_thematic_units/index.asp

Description: comprehensive guidance on themed activities for learners with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD). A full sensory curriculum is offered.

Registration: not required

Priory Woods School

Website: http://www.priorywoods.middlesbrough.sch.uk/page/?title=Resources&pid=3

Description: resources from an award-winning, innovative school, rated by Ofsted as outstanding and put together by SEND teachers. The resources include apps and programmes.

Registration: not required

SEND Gateway

Website: https://www.sendgateway.org.uk/whole-school-send/find-wss-resources/nqt-videos.html

Description: A range of SEND guidance videos created in collaboration with the Centre for Education and Youth (CfEY) in addition to many other experts within the sector. Aimed at Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs).

Registration: not required

SENict Activities

Website: https://www.ianbean.co.uk/senict-members-resource-portal

Description: downloadable activities aimed particularly at Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) and Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) learners.

Registration: not required

SEN Teacher

Website: https://www.senteacher.org/

Description: downloadable resources that can be adapted to suit the needs of pupils. Resources are aimed at a range of abilities.

Registration: not required

Speech and Language Kids

Website: https://www.speechandlanguagekids.com/free-speech-language-resources/

Description: a range of education and therapy resources for speech and language problems. A podcast is also available on iTunes for verbal and non-verbal children.

Registration: not required

Teaching Students with Visual Impairments

Website: https://www.teachingvisuallyimpaired.com/

Description: a range of downloadable resources to support blind and visually impaired pupils.

Registration: is required

UCL Centre for Inclusive Education

Website: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/departments-and-centres/centres/centre-inclusive-education/homeschooling-children-send/managing-transition-home-schooling

Description: a guide to help parents adjust to remote learning by providing advice and links to resources.

Registration: not required

Other resources

There are other resources available. BESA’s LendEd website and the EdTech Impact website, for example, include varied resources that teachers already use and rate within the websites.

These have not been verified by DfE’s educational experts but we have included them on the list because they also cover other areas of the curriculum that are not covered above.

https://www.sendgateway.org.uk/whole-school-send/find-wss-resources/nqt-videos.html

 

ADHD

Please click this link for information an resources linked to ADHD.

Autism

Deafness and Hearing Support

Talking to deaf / hard of hearing children about COVID-19

Online Resources for Deafness and Hearing Support

Some apps your children might enjoy

Using subtitles at home

Connecting a Roger TouchScreen to a TV


NDCS tutors have filmed themselves in lockdown so that you and your families can still learn British Sign Language (BSL) to use at home with all the family. 

They have created 12 free weekly lessons especially for families of deaf children. There are different lessons in each of the nations. Lesson 1 and 2 are already available.

 

https://www.ndcs.org.uk/our-services/our-events/events-for-parents-carers-and-families/online-events/family-sign-language-course/

 

These are in addition to their online events that they're running during the lockdown to support families:

https://www.ndcs.org.uk/our-services/our-events/online-events/

Down Syndrome

A list of resources to support learners with Down Syndrome and their families - Down Syndrome 

Inclusive apps - Inclusive technology 

Foetal Alcohol Syndrome

FASD - Teaching resources for children with FASD

Makaton

Makaton resources

  • Free Makaton resources - Makaton
  • Signing Hands - Signed stories  On Mon-Fri 10.30am join Signing Hands, on FaceBook  /  YouTube or Zoom for some daily fun
  • Makaton-signed video -To help those with communication difficulties understand the current situation

Speech Language and Communication Needs

SPEECH, LANGUAGE and COMMUNICATION NEEDS 

What are speech, language and communication difficulties?

  • Some children and young people find it difficult to listen (known as receptive language), understand and communicate with others and may need support to develop the surprising number of skills involved. SLCN is the umbrella term most commonly used to describe these difficulties. It stands for Speech, Language and Communication Needs. Children with SLCN may have difficulty with only one speech, language or communication skill, or with several. Children may have difficulties with listening and understanding or with talking (known as expressive language) or both. Each child also has a unique combination of strengths. This means that every child with SLCN is different. It is estimated that around 10% of children starting school have SLCN – that’s approximately 2-3 in every classroom.
  • A short video explaining SLCN (select speech, language and communication from the options on the page).

How can I help children in my classroom?

  • The Driver Youth Trust have produced some incredibly helpful resources (they are by far the best out of all the resources linked on this sheet). I heartily recommend you take a look and give them a go.
  • Receptive language (aka listening)

Taking it further

  • Afasic have produced some very helpful information sheets on the various aspects of this very wide area. 

DYSLEXIA

What is dyslexia?

  • Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling. Characteristic features of dyslexia are difficulties in phonological awareness, verbal memory and verbal processing speed. Dyslexia occurs across the range of intellectual abilities. It is best thought of as a continuum, not a distinct category, and there are no clear cut-off points. Co-occurring difficulties may be seen in aspects of language, motor co-ordination, mental calculation, concentration and personal organisation, but these are not, by themselves, markers of dyslexia.
  • The See dyslexia differently short video from the British Dyslexia Association is helpful. 

How can I help children in my classroom?

Please click this link for a document containing details of resources for parents and schools staff relating to Speech Language and Communications Needs.

Literacy resources - Dyslexia and learning difficulties

 

Vision Impairment

Vision impairment resources

https://www.positiveeye.co.uk/our-services-2/bespoke-courses/activity-shares-for-families-covid19/ 

  •  Resources to support those with VI
  •  Free apps to support students who are blind or visually impaired - Accessibite 

Staying healthy:

 

Stay in Work Out British Blind Sport https://britishblindsport.org.uk/stay-in-work-out/?fbclid=IwAR3KGEu9DtrLIYb_qitoFWay69DCPnkGyEyhbgbdq23pD1doZB_PdmeXRJw

 

Eye’s Free Fitness: Audio only fitness classes for children with vision impairment, including meditation and yoga: https://www.blindalive.com/  

 

Literacy Ideas and Support

 

Free Audiobooks: https://www.rnib.org.uk/rnibconnect/easyreader-app

 

LOOK-UK: online storytelling workshops, youth forums and online arts and crafts sessions: https://www.look-uk.org/meet-up/

 

DoorWayOnline: touch typing programme with audio and large letters

https://www.doorwayonline.org.uk/activities/text-type/text-type.html

 

 

CVI-friendly videos

 

https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/resources/cvi-friendly-videos

 

Thinking Outside the Lightbox- A Facebook page dedicated to videos and activities for children with CVI  https://www.facebook.com/Thinkingoutsidethelightbox/

 

Varous Activities

 

Lots of activities and ideas for children who are blind or have a vision impairment: https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/

 

Positive Eye: Fun ideas and activities for all children including those with a VI with/without additional needs: https://www.positiveeye.co.uk/our-services-2/bespoke-courses/activity-shares-for-families-covid19/

 

Scottish Sensory Centre: Various resources for early years children with a sensory impairment/additional needs:  http://www.ssc.education.ed.ac.uk/earlyyears/

 

VICTA Parent Portal: ‘A one stop information hub for all parents and carers raising a child who is blind or partially sighted.’:   https://www.victa.org.uk/introducing-victa-parent-portal/ and www.facebook.com/groups/VICTAParentNetwork 

 

VICTA educational resources https://www.victaparents.org.uk/covid-19-lockdown-resources/

 

RNIB key resources for families: https://www.sightadvicefaq.org.uk/independent-living/Covid-19-CYPF-SAFAQ 

 

RSBC: online assistive tech and employment sessions, lunch clubs, youth forums, virtual creative sessions: https://www.rsbc.org.uk/live-life-go-further

 

Various support webinars for parents and professionals https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUj6DcM1nN3EGnleJhGT296nMNJj9IwmB


More details regarding the Sensory Impairment Offer following school closures can be found in the team’s Spring Newsletter, which has just been published, and further useful resources that have been produced by the team are as follows:

Furthermore, the National Deaf Children's Society have also produced a page dedicated to providing information for families following the school closures.

Occupational Therapy

Downloads

  1. ADHD
  2. Ascend - parent course (NHS)
  3. Online resources for Deafness and Hearing Support
  4. Talking to hearing impaired children about Coronavirus
  5. Some apps your children might enjoy (hearing impairment)
  6. Using subtitles at home
  7. Connecting a Roger TouchScreen to a TV
  8. SLCN Resources
  9. Advice on how to set up a therapy session
  10. Bimanual Activities for Older Children
  11. Bimanual Activities Younger Children
  12. Cutlery skills.pdf
  13. Dressing Programme.pdf
  14. Encouraging use of the affected hand.pdf
  15. Occupational Therapy Home Regulation Programme with Oral Motor
  16. Occupational Therapy Home Regulation Programme
  17. Occupational Therapy Home Regulation Programme - little ones
  18. ORAL MOTOR PROGRAMME.pdf
  19. OT regulating activities calendar.pdf
  20. Positioning advice.pdf
  21. Positioning chart.pdf
  22. Useful online resources.pdf
  23. Calming activities.pdf
  24. Creating sensory experiences.pdf
  25. Messy play ideas Restrictive eating programme.pdf
  26. Self care summer primary pack
  27. Self care summer secondary pack

Page last reviewed: 20/02/2024

Skip back to top of page