Navigating the special education journey with Richard Woods

In the second episode of Raising Confident Kids with SEN I had the pleasure of chatting with an incredibly inspiring guest, Richard Woods, who not only has personal experience with dyslexia but is also a father following the path of special needs education with his daughter, Poppy.

Embracing the special school route

Our discussion started with Richard candidly recounting how initially he had reservations about special schools. But his perspective shifted when he saw the wonderful progress his daughter made. Her leap in confidence and joy in her new educational environment gives hope for parents on a similar journey. If there's something Richard's story has taught us, it’s to be open-minded and consider all options that could benefit our children.

The right fit matters

Throughout our conversation, we talked about the importance of finding the right fit for our children in special education. Every child is unique, and the school environment plays a significant role in their growth. I also shared my personal experience of working at a school and the complexities of the admissions process. Remember, visiting schools personally can often give you a much clearer picture of what they’re really like.

Building community and understanding dyslexia

Richard then opened up about the positive experiences he’s had with other families at the special school and highlighted the strong sense of community and understanding that exists there. Did you know that dyslexia is associated with entrepreneurship? We delved into how the need to think differently can become an advantage and how Richard himself turned his challenges into a successful career, providing hope for our neurodiverse children.

The unique path for each child

The conversation also reminded us of the importance of finding educational settings that amplify our children's strengths while providing the necessary support for their challenges. Richard's journey resonates with so many of us, especially dads who sometimes feel their voices are less heard in the SEN community.

The struggles and wins of parenting SEN children

We touched on a topic that's familiar to many of us: feeling defensive when our children's struggles are brought to our attention by educators. Richard shared Poppy's challenges, from communication delays to difficulty making friends. But it’s not all about the hurdles; Richard’s story is also about victories, like finding a nurturing environment for her to grow.

Taking control

One crucial piece of advice Richard offered is to take an active role in the legal and educational processes concerning our children. Critical analysis and a proactive stance can make all the difference in finding the best fit for our little ones, as was the case with Richard successfully securing a wonderful new school environment for Poppy.

The power of community for parents with children with SEN

Richard and I also talked about our real-life connection through a Facebook group for parents like us. Community support is invaluable, and I'm so proud that this podcast has become a part of the larger support system for parents raising confident kids with SEN. This episode reflects the reality of the challenges and the successes we can have as parents on this SEN journey.

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