SEND: Self Directed Play and Neurodiversity

SEND: Self Directed Play and Neurodiversity

There is a common misconception that play does not come naturally to children who are neurodivergent and/or disabled and that they need to be taught how to play functionally, appropriately and purposefully. This course debunks this myth by reimagining our understanding of play through a neurodiversity-affirming lens and embracing that play has infinite potential. Our role as educators is to explore the diverse patterns of play and to facilitate their intrinsic meaning to children.

The learning outcomes during this session are:

• To (un)define neurotypical and non-disabled measures of play.
• To explore the importance of self-directed play in the play continuum.
• To consider play patterns of neurodivergent and disabled children
• To unpick how play has been appropriated for learning and development, and to consider how to liberate play.

Suitable For: All Early Years Practitioners

Delivered by:  Kerry Murphy who is an Early Years SEND Specialist and has worked with a local authority. Kerry has had strategic responsibility for the quality of SEND provision including developing the SENCO and SEND-Based training programmes. She lectures at a London University and is currently undertaking a PHD in early childhood early intervention. 

Date: Tuesday 28th January

Time:  6:00pm - 7:30pm

Venue: on-line 

Cost:  For bookings made -

•     up to and including 5th January 2025 * Members £35  / Non Members £65
•     from 6th January 2025 onwards: Members £38 / Non Members £71

* Places must be booked and invoices must be settled by 5th January. After this date all unsettled invoices will be amended to the 2025 rate. No refunds or credits are available to any bookings made under 2024 prices, however, changes to the name of the attendee will be free. 

Important additional Information:

• Before booking a place, please read our information sheet which can be found here
• Please ensure you complete the 'attendee name' and 'attendee email address' (of the person attending) to ensure we send the Zoom Invitation to the correct email address. A contact telephone number for the attendee is also required in case we need to contact them.
• Please note zoom/teams invitations will be sent out 24 hours before the course/meeting starts. We are unable to send out zoom/teams invitations until your invoice has been settled. 
• Payment is required within 7 days of the invoice date or 24 hours before a course/meeting starts (whichever is sooner). If payment cannot be made within this timeframe then please email training@pataglos.org.uk to agree an extension to your payment deadline, otherwise, your place on the course may be cancelled.