Experiencing Special Educational Needs and Disability: Lessons for Practice

Covering a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities this book examines the perspectives of teachers, teaching assistants, children and parents with a focus on specific educational aspects, such as curriculum and pedagogy.

Referencing recent policy changes in the special needs and inclusive education context, the book offers an introduction to the special needs and inclusive education field for teachers, SEN Coordinators and other allied professionals (e.g. speech and communication therapists, educational psychologists) as well as parents and policy makers, by:

• Examining the lived experience of parents, teachers and children/young people with special educational needs/ disability in education

• Illustrating some of their experienced tensions and how they deal with them

• Exploring the significance of these experiences for policy and practice

The book features 12 engaging case studies that are based on in-depth interviews with parents, teachers or teaching assistants and children or young people, exploring their experiences as regards their education.  These accounts emphatically highlight positive models of practice as well as negative practices to avoid.  In this way the book contributes to the professional learning of teachers and allied professionals.

"In this thoughtful book, real people's stories told are direct and share the tensions, dilemmas, balances and dynamics of life. It is a very thought provoking book and an excellent addition to the field."

Dr. Graeme Douglas, Professor of Disability and Special Educational Needs, University of Birmingham, UK

“An invaluable book about the importance of getting to know each and every child, comprising up to date case studies that contextualise the experiences of 12 learners identified with special educational needs.”

Professor Lani Florian, Bell Chair of Education, University of Edinburgh, UK

“In the era of person-centred planning, this book is a timely and essential key text for both general and specialist practitioners working for children and young people with special educational needs and/ or disability. Professor Norwich is to be highly commended for providing this original, scholarly and useful research to the international field of special education.”

Professor Kevin Woods, Professor of Educational and Child Psychology, University of Manchester, UK

“Norwich skilfully presents the perspectives of the young people themselves, their parents, and the teachers and teaching assistants who support them. These careful, illuminating accounts bring to life the realities, complexities, challenges - and also the positive aspects - of the young people themselves and those that care and support them. Required reading for all who work with children with SEND.”

Professor Geoff Lindsay, Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal and Research (CEDAR), University of Warwick, UK