Our recent Additional Learning Needs (ALN) sessions in Wales were both hugely rewarding and a valuable learning experience. These sessions made a meaningful impact on children and families, providing targeted support in key areas such as confidence-building, emotional regulation, and resilience. At the same time, they highlighted the challenges and complexities of delivering group-based support for children with diverse needs.
Through February halfterm, 44 children attended activities at Axis Court.
What Did This Look Like?
Self-Esteem & Confidence Building Sessions
Tailored for children with additional learning needs, these sessions focused on empowerment. Using character strength exploration, creative arts, and self-reflection, children engaged in positive identity and self-worth exploration. Activities included arts and crafts projects centred on personal strengths, interactive exercises to boost confidence, and guided reflection time to help children recognise their value and potential.
Self-Regulation Sessions
These sessions provided structured, engaging activities to help children develop self-awareness, manage stress, and strengthen their regulation skills. Using interactive techniques tailored to different learning styles, we created a safe space for emotional growth and practical skill-building.
The Challenges We Faced
Nothing could have prepared us for the organised chaos of children with different needs running around the building! Each session brought a mix of personalities, sensory needs, and emotional reactions, making every moment dynamic. Some children found it difficult to transition or leave, leading to strong emotional responses that had to be managed in real-time.
While group work had many benefits, such as peer learning and social connection, it also came with challenges. Balancing different needs and personalities required adaptability, patience, and creative problem-solving from our team. Despite these hurdles, the sessions remained a valuable, enriching experience, highlighting the need for highly experienced practitioners.
Feedback
What benefits did your child gain attending the session?
“Some new friends and the confidence to communicate with them”
“Regulation techniques, being able to relate to other children, relief that someone understood them and didn’t judge them”
“Connecting with like minded children, raised confidence and discovered tools to help them build self esteem”
“My child enjoyed her time in the session. She loved the little sensory gift set at the end.”
“Awareness of strategies that she can use when feeling overwhelmed. A lovely bank of resources given to help.”
Future Plans
Funded by the Swansea Winter Grant in collaboration with the UK Government, these sessions filled a crucial gap in ALN support, ensuring that children had access to high-quality, evidence-based interventions to boost their well-being.
The feedback from children, parents, and practitioners has been overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing the need for ongoing, specialised support for children with ALN and underscoring the importance of the newly established Neurodiversity Centre in providing a dedicated space for tailored interventions and resources for children and families.
Would you like to learn more about our upcoming programs? Stay connected for future sessions and opportunities!
