Mrs Nicole Whitelaw

I started my teaching career as a secondary English teacher in the West Midlands and Surrey. During this time, I co-ordinated Key Stage Four provision and provided training for colleagues on GCSE English and English Literature. I then moved to work in Special Needs Education, working at Whitefield Special Needs School in Walthamstow. It was at Whitefield that I completed an MA in Education, and went on to lecture on the MA programme there. I also provided INSET training for Whitefield staff, as well as staff at other schools and adult services, focusing particularly on autism. I am currently Programme Leader for the MA in Special Educational Needs at UEL, which involves teaching students at UEL and also in local schools. I also run CPD for schools in a range of areas, including autism, dyslexia and reading difficulties, working memory, attachment theory, behaviour and child protection.

Nicole is interested in all aspects of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Her particular area of interest is Autism Spectrum Conditions and how to empower teachers and learning support assistants to support learners with ASC throughout their school life. This includes areas such as Sex and Relationship Education, work related skills, communication, life skills and an understanding of autonomy and choice. As part of this, Nicole is interested in finding ways to access the voice of pupils with ASC who have limited formal communication skills.