Christmas is often described as the most wonderful time of the year, but for many children and young people with special educational needs and neurodivergence, it can also be one of the most challenging.

In this Christmas Special episode of SEN Talks, Salise Dourmoush and Adam Friel sit down to reflect on what the festive season really looks like for SEN families. From sensory overload and disrupted routines to school nativities, performances, and festive outings, they explore why Christmas can feel like too much and what can make it more manageable.

Adam shares honest reflections from his lived experience as a parent, comparing last Christmas with this one and discussing how preparation, understanding triggers, and working closely with schools have made a difference. Together, Salise and Adam talk about learning from previous years, adjusting expectations, and recognising that progress does not always mean perfection.

This episode is a gentle reminder that there is no right way to do Christmas and that a calm, regulated child matters far more than traditions, costumes, or appearances.

Whether you are a parent, carer, educator, or professional, this conversation offers reassurance, empathy, and practical insight as we head into the festive season.

🎄 A Christmas episode rooted in realism, compassion, and understanding.

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Credits:

This podcast has been produced by Geldards LLP.

Edited by ⁠Dreamlancers⁠.

Music is 'Sunshine' by lemonmusicstudio.

Want more from Geldards SEN? Be sure to follow our social media channels!

All links here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/geldardssen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.geldards.com/children-and-their-education/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow us on social media: @GeldardsSEN on Instagram, Facebook & YouTube.

This episode features Ali Durban, co-founder of Gesher School, who shares the remarkable story of establishing and growing a unique multitherapeutic, faith-based special school that now supports children from primary through to age 16. Ali discusses the early challenges, the move to a larger site, and how Gesher’s innovative project-based curriculum was shaped by global research and community insight .

She also talks about her current work, building employer-ready environments for neurodiverse young people, digitising Gesher’s life-skills curriculum, and leading programmes that help schools embed meaningful inclusion and belonging.

A powerful episode for anyone passionate about SEND education, neurodiversity, or inclusive leadership.

-

Credits:

This podcast has been produced by Geldards LLP.

Edited by Dreamlancers.

Music is 'Sunshine' by lemonmusicstudio.

Want more from Geldards SEN? Be sure to follow our social media channels!

All links here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/geldardssen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.geldards.com/children-and-their-education/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow us on social media: @GeldardsSEN on Instagram & Facebook.

In this episode of SEN Talks, Salise and Adam are joined by Ali Durban, SEND parent, co-founder of Gesher Special School in Pinner, and a SEND consultant.

Ali shares the personal experience that led her to help create a specialist school for children who were not thriving in mainstream but did not fit existing special school pathways.

They discuss the barriers to setting up provision, why attachment, safety and trust had to be at the centre of the school’s culture, and how integrated therapeutic support helps children feel they belong. The conversation also explores what inclusion really means in practice, why forced inclusion can be harmful, and how wellbeing and friendships can be a foundation for learning.

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This podcast has been produced by Geldards LLP, music is 'Sunshine' by lemonmusicstudio.

Want more from Geldards SEN? Be sure to follow our social media channels!

All links here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/geldardssen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.geldards.com/children-and-their-education/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow us on social media: @GeldardsSEN on Instagram & Facebook.