For students with Special Educational Needs, the classroom can often be an overwhelming environment. We know that when a student is emotionally dysregulated, they are unable to access learning, regardless of the quality of teaching.

Why this session is vital for your SEN department

We often find that staff feel hesitant to use psychological interventions with neurodivergent students, fearing they may be too abstract or complex. However, we believe it is essential to empower your students to manage their anxiety and emotional responses through structured, predictable frameworks.

The reality is that students with ADHD, Autism, or SpLDs won’t simply wake up one day without anxiety or sensory overwhelm. We have to teach them to manage their anxiety by providing concrete tools that bridge the gap between their internal experience and the external demands of school life.

In this session, we will cover:

• Adapting CBT for Neurodiversity: How to make cognitive techniques accessible, visual, and concrete for students with different learning profiles.

• The Amygdala Hijack in SEN: Explaining the biology of “meltdowns” or “shutdowns” to students to reduce shame and increase self-awareness.

• Practical Regulation Tools: Sharing worksheets and activities from the Balanced Schools SEN Handbook that help students identify their early warning signs.

• Building Long-term Agency: Shifting from adult-led behaviour management to student-led emotional regulation.

By providing these evidence-based techniques, you can help your SEN students move from a state of survival into a state of thriving.

Duration: Approx. 1 hour, plus Q&A

Date & Time: Thu 12th February 2026

Cost: Free