Today we're welcoming Richard Woods to the show. Richard's journey through dyslexia to entrepreneurial success provides an insightful backdrop about the potential within neurodiversity. Your host Sarah discusses with Richard how he and his wife navigated special educational needs with their daughter Poppy. From recognising developmental delays to embracing the positive change a special school has made in her life.

They also discuss the challenges and eventual successes of applying for an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP), the importance of community support, and how to find the right school fit for children with SEN.

This episode is a must-listen for any parent on a similar pathway, offering not just a father's perspective but inspiration and practical advice. Stay tuned as Sarah and Richard delve into these topics and equip you with resources to support your child's educational journey.

Here are the highlights:

06:55 Comparison of child's development and milestones awareness.

10:59 Quiet, clingy girl blossoms in a nurturing environment.

16:03 Struggled to find lasting friendships in school.

18:51 Insufficient support, we changed schools for a better environment.

23:30 Downloadable tool for choosing the right school. Helpful tips.

29:28 Initial resistance leads to the eventual acceptance of special schools.

31:36 Diverse community with common struggles.

34:04 Struggles with the education system despite creative potential.

About Richard Woods:

Richard Woods is a three-time bestselling author, award-winning entrepreneur, finalist of the top BBC series 'The Apprentice,' keynote speaker, radio presenter, and investor.

He runs the Million Dollar Sprint™, which collaborates with entrepreneurs to scale their service businesses to a million in revenue and beyond.

Awards won to date include Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Haines Watts), Key Person of Influence (Dent Global), and Marketing Campaign of the Year (Inspire Business Awards).

Richard also makes regular appearances on Eagle Radio, BBC Surrey, BBC Sussex, Marlow FM, and Brooklands Radio. He is a frequent speaker at large business events, trade shows, and seminars.

He studied Business with Entrepreneurship at Southampton Solent University, where he received First-Class Honours for his final dissertation, 'Is there a link between Dyslexia and Entrepreneurship?'. He was later awarded an honorary MBA for his contribution to business.

To learn more, visit www.milliondollarsprint.com

Follow Richard on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardwoodsofficial

Free downloads: 

Choosing a School for a Child with Additional Needs

https://www.subscribepage.com/z1k2j3_copy

Easing Your Child’s Communication Frustration

https://www.subscribepage.com/z1k2j3_copy_copy

How do I know if my Child’s Emotional Outbursts are ‘Normal’?

https://www.subscribepage.com/z1k2j3_copy_copy_copy

About Sarah Billingham:

Sarah Billingham is a specialist speech and language teacher with a focus on emotional regulation. Her service, Confident Kids, equips parents, carers and practitioners with expert knowledge and the practical tools they need through training, coaching and group programmes. 

Becoming a parent changed Sarah’s perspective on parenting and early childhood development and deepened her interest in understanding the regulation needs of both children and their families. 

Qualifying in 2004, she initially worked in mainstream primary education and went on to lead a specialist speech and language resource base. She worked as Assistant Headteacher at a specialist SLCN school for five years and went on to lead their independent multidisciplinary assessment service until December 2021. She currently supports a number of mainstream, independent and special schools on developing their SEN practice. 

Sarah was a committee member of NAPLIC (National Association of Professionals Supporting Language and Communication Development) for five years and is a Regional Makaton Tutor. 

Connect with Sarah:

Website -  https://www.confidentkids.co/

Facebook -  https://www.facebook.com/confidentkids.co

FB community -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/ConfidentTransitions

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/confidentkids.co/

Email: sarah@confidentkids.co

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk