Download resource

Please enter your details to download this resource
Login
 

Enter your details to access this video

Or if you already have an account login to watch the video (if you don't you can register here).
Login
SEND pupil listening
Author: Karen Wilson, SEND Specialist
Email share link LinkedIn share link Twitter share link Facebook share link
Approximate reading time: 1 minute

Listening is an essential skill for learning and understanding, building relationships, communicating effectively, and developing independence. However, for some learners - including those with additional needs such as ADHD, autism, hearing impairments, or language processing difficulties - listening can be challenging. We can support learners in a range of ways, including using simplified instructions, visual supports, repetition, and reducing distractions in our learning environments. We can also teach explicit listening skills by explaining what listening looks like, modelling good listening, and practising with short activities.

Tip or Idea: Don’t forget to include movement breaks so listening isn’t too exhausting!

Use a recording device such as an iPad to involve your learners in creating their own listening material to share with their peers. Our 10 ideas for co-constructing listening activities resource is full of great ideas.

Email share link LinkedIn share link Twitter share link Facebook share link

More articles by this author

scaffolded learning

SEND support: Scaffolding from word to sentence level

Created: Mon 9th Mar 2026

Progressing from single words to full sentences is essential for learners’ confidence and access to the curriculum. The first goal is to build vocabulary and meaning. Start with key vocabulary using visuals, repetition, and word banks. Next, support learners with sentence stems and substitution tables to build phrases and gradually progress to expanding sentences with adjectives and conjunctions.

Kinaesthetic Learning with beans

SEND Support: Kinaesthetic Learning

Created: Thu 27th Nov 2025

Kinaesthetic learning - or ‘learning by doing’ - involves physical and hands-on activities. Learners may prefer to touch, feel, and experience things first hand, and thrive on movement, exploration, and interaction with the world around them. For many learners, including those with certain SEND needs such as autism and ADHD, this approach is engaging, motivating, and effective in supporting learning retention and understanding.

washing hands

SEND support: Hygiene

Created: Wed 22nd Apr 2026

Hygiene is not only an essential topic for all learners, but one that can be made practical, visual, and repetitive, too - which is great for learners with additional needs. Teaching hygiene isn’t just a health topic; it builds essential life skills. When young people learn routines like washing hands and brushing teeth, they are developing independence, self-care, and personal responsibility as they move towards independent adulthood.

Back to Blog