About Rossella Ricchiari
I’m Rossella Ricchiari, a SEN Specialist, Behaviour Specialist and Inclusion Consultant. I have nearly a decade of experience supporting complex needs and advancing inclusive practice. [confirm “nearly a decade”]
My background
I work where special education, behaviour, inclusion and educational leadership meet. What interests me most is turning evidence-based practice into support that works in real classrooms and real homes.
My background spans SEN leadership, autism and developmental disorders, Applied Behaviour Analysis, behaviour support, early intervention and educational consultancy. I have a Master’s degree in Autism and Developmental Disorders. [confirm: institution and year; ABA certification status, if any, and whether to mention ABA at all]
In my current work, I lead SEN provision in the early years. I support the development of individualised programmes, guide staff, and work with families and professionals from other disciplines. The aim is learning environments where differences are anticipated, not treated as an afterthought.
Designing for inclusion from the start
Over the years my focus has widened from supporting one child at a time to the bigger picture. How can we design schools, teaching and systems that are more accessible from the start?
That question led me to Universal Design for Learning, differentiation, neurodiversity and the mindful use of AI in education. I’m interested in how technology can support accessibility, remove unnecessary barriers and give educators more room to personalise learning. It should never replace professional judgement, relationships or the human side of education.
Alongside my school-based work, I’ve worked as a Special Education Consultant. I adapted educational and STEM initiatives for learners with diverse needs and advised on accessibility, engagement and inclusive design.
I value curiosity, practicality and collaboration. I like asking questions, challenging the occasional “we’ve always done it this way”, and finding solutions that are evidence-informed without forgetting that every family and classroom works differently.
What I don’t do
I don’t diagnose, and I don’t assess for autism, ADHD or anything else. I’m not a psychologist, speech and language therapist, occupational therapist or behaviour analyst.
If something needs a different professional, I’ll tell you early and help you think about where to go. Knowing where my work ends is part of doing it well.
I work in English and Italian. Sessions can be in person in Malta [confirm: areas of Malta; Gozo?] or online, wherever you are.