It was a true honour to lead a parent talk at GEMS Winchester School Dubai, where I shared my expertise on special educational needs. As a leading voice in this field, I was invited to share my personal story and professional insights with the parents of the GEMS Winchester community. The talk centred on my own experiences navigating educational needs, both for my three children and for myself.
With three children who have special educational needs and as a former SENCo across three different schools in Dubai, I was able to reassure these parents that they are not alone. I work diligently to debunk common misconceptions about Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) departments in schools and to foster a sense of community support for parents.
During the talk, I shared my own educational background and the challenges my family and I faced. I spoke about my firstborn son’s journey with autism, my second son’s experiences with ADHD, and my third child’s challenges with choosing a degree pathway. All three of my children are now successful adults in their twenties. I also discussed my own later-in-life diagnosis and the professional hurdles I encountered while working in schools. We covered the role of a school’s SEND department and how parents can best communicate with SEND leaders.
Every child is unique and requires a personalised approach. However, the questions I receive at these talks are often similar. This event was no different, with parents asking for advice on a variety of common topics:
- “What advice do you have for me?”
- “What after-school learning opportunities are available?”
- “How can I encourage independence for my child of determination?”
These frequently asked questions highlight a universal need for information and support. To address this, I have added a dedicated FAQ section to my parents’ advice website page with answers to some of these common queries.