Education Resources
What is the Saturation Model?
'Inclusion Using the Low Arousal Approach'
In this interview, Dr Pooky Knightsmith (@PookyH) interviews Gareth about the use of the low arousal approach and emotional regulation as part of a whole-school approach to behaviour support. This interview explores some of the ideas developed as part of the one-day training course that draws upon the acclaimed Saturation Model (Morewood et al, 2011), fused with the emotional regulation and low arousal approaches developed by Studio III (McDonnell & Deveau, 2018).
'Inclusion Working in 2015'
In this film from 2015 Priestnall School (https://www.priestnall.stockport.sch.uk/) explores how inclusion can still work within mainstream schools. Supported by the World of Inclusion (http://worldofinclusion.com/) it features real stories from young people, their families and the professionals with whom they work.
'Notions of Self'
The ‘Notions of Self’ film was part of a one-day event at Priestnall School (https://www.priestnall.stockport.sch.uk/) with the CanDoCo dance company (http://www.candoco.co.uk/), supported by the University of Northampton. This film showcased events during the day, over a decade ago, exploring how we become who we are.
'The Shoeness of a Shoe'
When her daughter Ella was seven years old, she lost her eyes, and it meant Elly had to look again at everything. Ella taught her to #flipthenarrative around how we 'see' people like Ella. That every human is diverse, and that although we are all different, we are the same. We are one. It's vital that we change the whole conversation from a deficit to a positive and in doing so, change the world – to become again a place of shared difference, diversity and understanding - that our strength lies within this not in our fears or misunderstandings.
Visual Supports
Using research and visual supports to ease transitions and reduce stress within school settings.
Planned Escape
Co-Director of Studio 3's LASER programme, Gareth Morewood, explains some of the benefits of 'planned escape' from stressful situations. Central to this strategy is a mindset change in how we view distressed behaviour.
Student Passports
Gareth Morewood discusses the concept of student passports to encourage partnership between pupils and teachers, and to support student with additional needs within the classroom.
Restraint in Schools
We do not believe in physical restraint of any kind, and our aim is to implement a pro-active (rather than reactive) framework of support that reduces stress ahead of time. Things can however still go wrong, and when they do it is important to have de-escalation techniques in place to defuse situations and relieve stress. Strategies such as creating an ‘escape route’ for individuals who are experiencing distress can be extremely effective in supporting without compromising an individual’s safety and well-being. The following article demonstrates why we will never teach physical interventions skills to be used in schools.
Background and Theory
'Understanding Emotional Regulation in the Context of Whole School Inclusive Systems'
Morewood, G. D. (2019) 'Understanding Emotional Regulation in the Context of Whole School Inclusive Systems', INCLUVISION Magazine. Published by JSS Private School, Dubai.
'Educational Interventions for Children with ASD: A Systematic Literature Review 2008-2013'
Bond, C., Symes, W., Hebron, J., Humphrey, N., Morewood, G. & Woods, K. (2016) 'Educational Interventions for children with autistic spectrum disorder – a systematic literature review 2008-2013', School Psychology International, SAGE.
'Championing Your Autistic Teen at Secondary School: Getting the Best from Mainstream Settings'
Elly, D. & Morewood, G. (2022). Championing Your Autistic Teen at Secondary School: Getting the Best from Mainstream Settings. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
'Mainstreaming Autism: Making It Work'
Morewood, G. D., Humphrey, N. & Symes, W. (2011) 'Mainstreaming autism: making it work', Good Autism Practice Journal, 62-68
'Meeting the Needs of Autistic Girls at Secondary School'
Morewood, G., Tomlinson, C. & Bond, C. (2019). 'Meeting the Needs of Autistic Girls at Secondary School', In Hebron, J. & Bond, C (Eds), Education and Girls on the Autism Spectrum: Developing an Integrated Approach, London: Jessica Kingsley.
'The LASER Approach'
Morewood, G.D., McDonnell, A.A. & McDermott, R.A. (2021). ‘The LASER Approach.’ In New Trends and Promising Directions in Modern Education New Perspectives 2021, Ed. By M. Aydogmus. Meram: Palet Publications.
Podcasts
Understanding Stress and Coping
Inclusive Practice with Gareth Morewood
Using Low Arousal Approaches in Learning Environments
SENCology Blog
These blogs are published by Optimus Education and are regularly updated. You can link directly to the latest SENCology blogs here.
