SENIA Denmark
- The International
- Apr 7
- 3 min read
Breaking barriers in the journey to inclusion.
Text: Anna Pawlowicz Pics: Unsplash
In Denmark, the journey to inclusion for international families often means forging your own path. Delia Browne, founder of SENIA Denmark, is advocating for a new approach - a testament to the resilience many internationals need when, at times, systems fall short or can be difficult to access when seeking diagnosis or support for a neurodivergent child.
The beginnings of SENIA Denmark
In her candid conversation with The International, Delia shared why she founded SENIA Denmark as a chapter of the global Special Education Network and Inclusion Association. Being part of a parents' group from an International School in Copenhagen, Delia realised that there are multiple families in Denmark with children with additional needs. Delia said, ‘Often, parents can feel very alone, particularly if you are newish to the country, not knowing where to go, having a very young child. It can really help to have a community of parents who share similar challenges.’
The size of this challenge prompted her to seek answers beyond conventional channels, and Delia became determined to create a community where others in similar circumstances could find support. SENIA Denmark today stands as a vibrant forum where parents, educators, and professionals gather to share experiences, learn from one another, and advocate for children with disabilities and neurodivergence.
The support SENIA Denmark can offer
SENIA Denmark engages in two key initiatives:
They maintain a comprehensive directory of over 250 service providers for families with neurodivergent children. This resource doesn’t just list medical experts - it includes leisure providers, language-specific services, and even unique community activities.
‘We helped a family with a specific assessment because they needed it in a different language,’ she recalls. Such initiatives turn daunting processes into manageable steps for families navigating a maze of services.
They organise community events designed to bridge gaps in understanding and support. Events cover a range of topics, including ways to access support for your child if you’re an international family living in Denmark, specific service areas like the benefits of home training, or discussions with guests with lived experience. An example of the latter is an upcoming event hosting a teacher sharing her experience of living with dyslexia.
Delia doesn’t just talk about change. She demonstrates it with tangible, everyday examples. ‘One of the things we’ve had some success with is helping parents at the beginning of their journey,’ she explains. These are families who, upon hearing that their child might need an assessment, find themselves overwhelmed by technical jargon and a deficit-focused approach, highlighting how SENIA Denmark bridges the gap between clinical language and real-life experience.
"They maintain a comprehensive directory of over 250 service providers for families with neurodivergent children."
A strengths-based approach
Delia is passionate about transforming the narrative around diagnosis. ‘It’s important to remember that the diagnosis is a snapshot of your child. It is not your whole child,’ she insists, urging parents to look beyond clinical deficits and recognise the inherent strengths children possess. Whether it’s the creative spark in a child or a deep interest in science, SENIA Denmark champions a strength-based approach that reassures parents and empowers them to become their child’s best advocate.
Her message resonates: reach out, connect, and learn from those who have walked the same path: ‘Reach out to other parents because they are the people who understand you the most.’ In a society where isolation often compounds the challenges of neurodivergence, her call for community is a lifeline and a reminder that together, families can transform trials into triumphs.
If SENIA’s community sounds like the community your family needs, you can reach them through multiple channels: on Instagram, by joining their dedicated Facebook group, or by emailing Delia and her team at seniadenmark@seniainternational.org