Saddleworth SEN advice and support

NEW POST: For children with SEND and their parents, a compassionate teacher is key. We have some tips for parental co-production that puts the child at the centre. https://www.specialneedsjungle.com/children-send-parents-compassionate-teacher-key/

These courses are really helpful for parents especially when SaLT waiting lists are so long. There’s still some places left!

Just a few places left….is your child waiting for a speech & language assessment? Are you concerned about your child’s language development? Would you like to develop your child’s communications skills?

Lets Talk’with Under 5’s speech and language course for parents/carers

This course is aimed at parents/carers of children below 6 years and will provide practical ideas and advice from an experienced speech and language therapist to help you develop and enhance your child’s ability to listen, understand and speak

You will also have the opportunity to meet and share experiences and ideas with other parents/carers

The course will run over 6 sessions at the Parish rooms –St.Joseph’s R.C Church,Oldham Road,Shaw,Oldham, OL2 8SZ on the following dates/times:

Thursday 2nd November 9-45 – 11.45a.m.
Thursday 9th November 9.45 -11.45 a.m.
Thursday 16th November 9.45 -11.45 a.m.
Thursday 23rd November 9.45 – 11.45 a.m.
Thursday 30th November 9.45 – 11.45 a.m.
Thursday 7th December 9.45 – 11.45 a.m.

To book a place please email [email protected]

Today is World Down Syndrome Day. The theme for 2023 is 'With Us Not For Us'.
This message is key to a human rights-based approach to disability. Down Syndrome International is committed to moving on from the outdated charity model of disability, where people with disability were treated as objects of charity, deserving of pity and relying on others for support. A human rights-based approach views people with disabilities as having the right to be treated fairly and have the same opportunities as everyone else, working WITH others to improve their lives.

Book Recommendations 📖📚
We would really recommend these books for anyone who has a child/ children who struggle at school, plus we would love it if every TA, Senco, Teacher, Senior Manager, Pastoral care worker etc who support children who are struggling in the education system would also read these. Ideally books like these should be part of teacher training.
“A one-size-fits-all education system is creating a growing number of ‘square pegs’- children and their families who don’t fit in and who are suffering in many ways as a result” (Morgan and Costello).

What did you think about the programme? It’s hard to fit everything into two hours. I felt it lacking in depth and it didn’t mention stimming or things like ARFID, sleep issues, proprioception, OCD - things that often go hand in hand with autism

But it’s fantastic that the programme was made and hope more are made in the future 👍🏻

Watched the second and final part of 'Inside Our Autistic Minds'...

OK, so for me the series was lacking:

Non speaking representation (non speakers make up approx 40% of people diagnosed autistic... but only 20% of autistic people featured on the show),

Female representation (20% of autistics featured),

Representation by people of colour (again, 20%),

LBGTQIA+ representation (*ABSOLUTELY NOTHING MENTIONED*).

It also could have done with:

Discussion of ADHD: 50-70% of people who are autistic also have ADHD (link in comments), this was not mentioned at all,

Discussion of family patterns: all of these autistic people seemed very isolated within their families. However, research shows autism is 80% hereditary (link in comments), and many of us in the autistic community such as myself believe that figure to be even higher. But it was portrayed as though nobody in these people's families could empathise with their experience...!

Continuing from the last point, I would have liked to have seen at least one neurodivergent family represented. Aware, neurodivergent-identified families are *everywhere* around me in my everyday life. They're not hard to find.

Having got that off my chest...

I was absolutely gripped to see autistic people talking about autism on my TV!!!!

What an emotional and mind-blowing moment this is for many autistic people in the UK ❤

Can always do better but I'm so glad this was made...!

😄 amazing

Jason Arday to become youngest ever black professor at Cambridge University Arday, 37, a sociologist, aims to inspire others from disadvantaged and under-represented backgrounds

Oldham library also has ear defenders available for children/adults who need them, just ask at reception 🙂

We have some exciting news, due to popular demand we have add extra opening days and times to our sensory room.
The room is available:

Monday: 2-2.30pm, 2.45-3.15pm, 3.30-4pm
Tuesday: 2-2.30pm, 2.45-3.15pm, 3.30-4pm

To book for these dates visit the following link
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sensory-room-bookings-at-oldham-library-30-mins-tickets-513407825627

You can also visit: https://www.oldham.gov.uk/sensoryroom to find out more information about our sensory room.

If your child has a speech delay/language disorder I highly recommend this book!

It is based on the Hanen approach which is based on the principles that parents should be involved in their child's intervention process and that communication should be facilitated in naturalistic contexts.

From what I remember it was difficult to find online and in book shops and is quite expensive but it’s a really big book with so much information to help your child communicate whether verbally or non verbally.

It may be worth speaking with the library as sometimes books can be ordered in or inter- library loans are available

I mentioned POINT in Oldham yesterday for supporting through the EHC process. Also check out the local SEND offer on the Oldham council website as well as IPSEA. There are also a lot of parent support groups on Facebook too. It’s always great to speak with other parents who have been through similar experiences.

Going through the EHC process while caring for your child can take it’s toll on your mental health, the charity contact offer an amazing service and provide a listening ear service

Listening Ear | Contact We offer 1-1 telephone appointments with a family support adviser for parent carers looking for reassurance and support.

Highly recommend Heidi’s new book, your child is not broken.

Truth!

You want to know how to fight the system, ask people who have fought the system. Not those who are paid by the system to maintain the status quo.*

*if you now have a mental image of denim-clad, long haired middle aged men clutching guitars, you are my kind of person 😘

Looking for help or support? Head over to www.heidimavir.com

Image description
A Peanuts comic. Charlie Brown is saying to a studios-looking Lucy "No one is going to give you the education you need to overthrow them."

As promised on a previous post I want to share all the and information and support available. If you live in Oldham there is the Oldham SENDIASS service POINT in Chadderton who offer free information and advice they also have monthly parent/carer meet ups which is fantastic!

I also find the special needs jungle website has wealth of information as well as the SEND code of practice which I previously mentioned will really help you with the legal side. I aim to post more information on free support and advice so look out for more posts.