What’s missing in mental health support for SEND students?

What’s missing in mental health support for SEND students?

Think about George, a 9-year-old with autism who excels at math.

His teachers celebrate his academic achievements, but few notice the exhaustion that builds up from processing the fluorescent lights, maintaining "appropriate" eye contact, and managing social interactions throughout the day.

By afternoon, he's mentally drained – not from learning, but from navigating a world that wasn't designed for with his neurological needs in mind.?

This mental load isn't often measured in traditional wellness assessments, yet it's a daily reality for our students.

Mental health in special education has long held a presence in classrooms and therapy sessions, but the conversation is evolving. For SEND students, mental health isn’t simply about calming techniques??? or peer support; it’s about designing an ecosystem that respects and anticipates unique psychological needs.

The real question is: how do we move beyond typical interventions and make these insights actionable? Here are specific shifts redefining what effective mental health support looks like for SEND students today, backed by real-world examples and emerging research.?


The Impact of Sensory Overload on Mental Health

SEND students often face environments that can feel overstimulating and chaotic, from bright lights and loud noises??? to overwhelming social expectations. This sensory overload can intensify anxiety and lead to behavioural responses that might be misinterpreted as disruptive or disengaged.?

Recent studies show that implementing sensory-friendly spaces in classrooms can significantly reduce anxiety, even increasing focus and comfort. ?


Photo from Envanto

Try this: For a simple, cost-effective adaptation, try adding texture-rich, calming elements like a soft rug or a box of fidget toys??? in quieter classroom corners. Small sensory tweaks can give SEND students a mental refuge, supporting them to self-soothe and refocus.

Occupational therapists at the Brighton Center have found that traditional "calm down corners" often miss the mark. Instead, they've developed what they call "sensory-emotional zones" where:

- Students can engage in high-intensity activities while processing emotions

- Lighting and sound are controllable by the students themselves

- Movement is encouraged rather than suppressed during emotionally intense moments

Students learn about their own nervous systems??? while they regulate, connecting their bodies' responses to concrete scientific concepts they can understand and control.

Try this: Next time you're working with a student on emotional regulation, ask them to create their own calming strategy using their special interest. You might be surprised how a Pokémon-based emotional scale makes more sense than our traditional 1-10 system.


Incorporating Movement and Mindfulness – An Emerging Approach

The connection between physical movement and mental health is well-established, yet adapting it to suit SEND students’ varied abilities often requires a fresh approach. Incorporating movement breaks??? into the school day is not new, but research now shows that short, individualised movement breaks tailored to students’ sensory preferences can have a calming effect, reduce anxiety, and improve mood.


Photo from Freepik

How to Start: Simple rhythmic activities—like seated arm stretches or gentle head movements—can be implemented without specialised training. Try incorporating them in regular intervals and see how students respond.

Movement journaling?– Consider using dance??? and physical movement to express and process emotions.?


Small Changes, Big Impact

1. Tier III Interventions: For students requiring intensive support, consider "Micro-Interventions" – brief, frequently administered sessions focusing on emotional regulation, showing promising results in reducing dysregulation.

- Silent signals between students and teachers when feeling overwhelmed (replacing the often embarrassing "time-out card" system)

- Emotion-mapping using special interests (like tracking anxiety levels using Minecraft block heights)

2. Try implementing a "Strengths and Challenges" programme: Each student works with a mentor to identify their unique strengths??? and areas for improvement. This approach not only boosts self-esteem but also helps students develop a more balanced and realistic view of themselves.

3. Engaging Families in Mental Health Strategies: Supporting a student’s mental health is a team effort, and family involvement is crucial. A growing approach is hosting “Family Support Nights,” where schools offer workshops on creating sensory-friendly home environments, identifying mental health signals, and providing tools for emotional regulation.

4. Trauma-Informed Care: Trauma-informed care is an approach that acknowledges the impact of trauma on a student's life and learning. It involves creating a supportive environment that promotes healing and resilience.

5. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL):?SEL programs help students develop essential skills such as self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

Hamish & Milo offers structured SEL resources, including programs on resilience, anxiety, and sadness, with session plans, journals, and impact tools for schools and caregivers.?

Try Classcraft, which gamifies SEL to boost cooperation and emotional awareness, and The Social Express, which uses interactive characters to teach students to navigate social situations effectively.

6. Technology Integration:?Technology can be a powerful tool in supporting mental health. Apps and platforms that promote mindfulness, stress reduction, and emotional expression can be incredibly beneficial.

Try Microsoft Reflect: It allows students to log and express their emotions visually by selecting from a range of icons or emojis.


Looking Ahead

One of the most profound insights comes from the "Mental Health Today Show" podcast, where Arushi emphasises the importance of self-neutrality before focusing on self-love. Recognising our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats is a foundational step in mental health. This is particularly relevant for students who may struggle with self-doubt and anxiety.

The journey towards better mental health support for SEND students is ongoing. It requires collaboration??? between educators, therapists, parents, and the students themselves. By staying informed and embracing innovative practices, we can create nurturing environments that foster resilience and joy.

Let's continue to share our experiences, learn from one another, and champion the mental well-being of every student. After all, when we support their minds, we empower their futures.


Recommended Reads

1. "The Whole-Brain Child" by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson:?This book offers practical strategies to help children manage their emotions and behaviors.

2. "The Mindful Child" by Susan Kaiser Greenland:?A guide to teaching mindfulness to children, with activities and exercises.

3. "Overcoming Anxiety in Children and Teens" by Dr. Jed Baker:??A practical guide filled with strategies to help young people manage anxiety.?

References

Course Descriptions - CORE Professional Development ?

Taking teaching and learning seriously: Approaching wicked consciousness through collaboration and partnership?

Trauma-Informed, Resilience-Oriented Schools Toolkit


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