Parents of neuro-divergent children on the Isle of Wight have launched a campaign to raise funds for resource packs designed to enhance understanding and support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Colleen Brannon is one of several on a mission to supply every school on the Island with materials including two or three key books aimed at offering insights into the world of SEND children.
A mother’s personal journey
Colleen’s children are neurodivergent, making this initiative particularly close to her heart. She poses a thought-provoking question:
“Do you believe kids do well when they can do well?”
Raising children who don’t always conform to expected behavioural norms can be challenging. Sending them to environments where they might feel misunderstood, unsafe, or penalised for being themselves can be emotionally taxing.
Even with well-intentioned, committed staff, a lack of knowledge, understanding, and specialised training means that SEND children often struggle.
Understanding for better outcomes
The journey of parenthood has led Colleen to unlearn preconceived notions about caring for her children, adopting a fresh perspective which has ultimately allowed them to thrive.
However, she highlights that the challenge is not hers alone. Many parents of SEND children have stories of judgement, hostility, and constant struggle to ensure professionals comprehend and accommodate the unique needs of their children.
Such understanding is unfortunately not widely taught in teacher training. Colleen’s own daughter, now eight-years-old, has already attended three different schools due to this deficit in awareness and accommodation.
Homeschooling and the struggle for support
The lack of adequate support has seen a high proportion of Isle of Wight parents resorting to homeschooling. Colleen herself had to battle the Isle of Wight council in court to secure her youngest son a place at a specialist school.
With the looming transition to secondary school, and the potential of another legal battle, homeschooling remains a likely option.
This struggle for understanding and support is particularly critical as health and social care systems, traditionally the backbone of assistance for SEND children, are in crisis.
The current crisis and its impact
For instance, Colleen’s oldest son, who waited seven years for an autism diagnosis, is still waiting for an ADHD assessment and can’t access necessary treatment due to indefinite suspension of assessment services.
For children like him, support at school may be the only help they receive. This highlights the immense significance of understanding and supporting SEND children within educational environments.
A pathway to better understanding
According to Colleen, better understanding and support for SEND children will not only enhance their lives and those of their families, but also positively impact school staff and classmates.
The future benefits of this approach could permeate entire societies – with well-supported, content children in more productive and inclusive classrooms likely to transition into more successful adults.
Sending support to every school
To facilitate this, the community at Isle of Wight SEN Support aim to send a parcel to every school on the Isle of Wight.
The pack will include an open letter, transformative books, easily understandable visual aids explaining complex behaviours, treats for teachers, and a list of additional recommended resources from the SEND community.
Sparking significant change
Colleen believes that this gesture could bring about significant change in an often disempowering and seemingly hopeless circumstance.
She holds hope that this initiative might spark conversations, opening doors for a more collaborative approach to education between professionals and the SEND community.
Crowdfunding for change
To make this project a reality, Colleen is appealing for financial assistance to purchase the necessary books. Any form of support, be it a donation or sharing the cause, would be greatly appreciated.
The campaign has already raised an impressive £455 of the £1,550 target.
Through this initiative, Colleen is working to ensure that every school on the Isle of Wight is equipped with resources to understand and support the unique needs of SEND children, bettering outcomes for these children, their families, and society at large.
Any local businesses able to donate items for a raffle should get in touch. Follow follow the Isle of Wight SEN Support page for updates and more information.
Image: tabor-roeder under CC BY 2.0
