A rising number of youngsters across the country have some form of special educational needs (SEN), and a growing number of parents are turning to online tutoring to provide support. It’s often seen as a way of helping these children to maximise their potential, as it’s possible to create a virtual environment where they can thrive with curated one-to-one help and guidance.
According to the latest government data, 12.2% of pupils in England receive SEN support, which amounts to just shy of 1.1 million pupils. This results in a wide range of needs and support requirements, but there are also numerous ways of meeting those needs, be it in the classroom, through specialist provision or even via online learning from the comfort of home.
Online tutoring for pupils with SEN is one way of delivering the latter, and the approach can bring an array of benefits for your child, as we explore here…
For many pupils with SEN, including those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism, focusing well can be a particular issue when learning. However, online tutoring can provide a solution, especially for youngsters who find the classroom environment overwhelming or who may struggle with social anxiety. Unlike classroom settings, online sessions can be free of distractions, meaning your child can learn in a far calmer space. Furthermore, delivering content via a screen can boost participation, as pupils with SEN can feel more comfortable, as any face-to-face contact comes only via a screen.
Virtual tools can be used to provide multi-sensory sessions which are fun, engaging and which help to boost a youngster’s confidence. Using visual and audio options, online teaching can be purposefully tailored to appeal to a pupil’s interests and can be delivered to them in surroundings where they feel most comfortable. While feeling relaxed around other people may be taken for granted by some, for pupils with SEN it may be daunting and a cause of anxiety. Ultimately this can impact on their learning, as they may be less likely to take in information if they’re not fully focused. In instances where a youngster with SEN struggles with concentration, being alone with just a computer can therefore make a big difference to their mind-set.
All children learn in different ways, and online tutors have the advantage of being able to change sessions to meet an individual’s needs. One-to-one virtual sessions can be as interactive as required, while the tutor can also evaluate a pupil’s performance as they go, amending the lesson plan should a particular topic or question need more time.
Should your child have SEN, the approach can be tailored to their preferences and needs, helping them to develop key soft skills alongside the ability to problem solve. An online tutor can be on hand to run through every stage of the learning process, guiding a pupil towards the solution and ensuring that the key theory is understood.
What benefits does using technology have?
By delivering lessons online, tutors can take advantage of a range of software, most of which is designed with learning in mind. This technology is often extensively tested and refined, meaning your child can benefit from using some of the best platforms available. This includes interactive whiteboards and games, as well as the ability to share and edit documents easily. The simplicity of these approaches can be particularly beneficial for pupils with SEN, as it enables them to focus more on the task at hand and less on understanding how something works. Sessions can also be recorded, and made available to pupils so they can revisit elements of what they have been taught. This can be especially useful when trying to develop an understanding of certain topics, as the essential information is immediately, and easily, available.
In addition, the vast majority of tutors will use programmes and software which incorporates a range of security measures, limiting any possible cyber threats and the potential of your child accessing inappropriate digital materials. This is often a concern for many parents, and rightly so, but tutors can easily limit what resources and websites are accessible. Furthermore, given the flexible nature of accessing online tutoring services from home, you can also be in the room while your child learns to help quell any fears you may have.
As you can see, turning to online tutoring services can provide a multitude of benefits should your child have a variety of care and learning needs. It’s always worth exploring your options, as the classroom environment may not always be the best place for allowing students with SEN to thrive and reach their potential.