PARENTS
Useful Info
TALKABOUT
Alex Kelly a Speech and Language Therapist who has specialised in working with people with Learning Disabilities for nearly 25 years, with 15 years experience in social skills training has published a number of resources for Speech and Language Therapy and Social Skills training which include the bestselling Talkabout social skills series and Working with Adults with a Learning Disability. Alex has delivered training across Wales and has recently advised that the original Talkabout manual is now available in welsh and can be ordered directly from www.alexkelly.biz.
This hugely popular photocopiable manual provides professionals with a framework for the development of social skills. Initially piloted on adolescents with mild learning difficulties, it can be used with a variety of client groups, both children and adults.
Beginning with a basic assessment procedure to evaluate the client's self-awareness, as well as the awareness of others, it is divided into six levels: improving the awareness of self and others, including physical appearance, likes, dislikes and problem solving; allowing clients to assess their own communication skills; taking the client through eight levels of body language; 'talkabout the way we talk' improving paralinguistic skills; taking the client through the processes needed to improve conversational and listening skills; awareness and use of assertiveness skills. Practical and user-friendly, this comprehensive workbook is an essential resource for therapists running social skills groups.
FREE cinema tickets for parents/carers
Are you in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance? if so,then you can apply for The Cinema Exhibitors' Association Card. This is a national card that can be used to verify that the holder is entitled to one free ticket for a person accompanying them to the cinema.
Details of how to apply for the cinema card.
Swimability Family Sessions
A swimming session for disabled young people or adults and their families.
Fridays 6-8pm, starting Friday 14th January 2011 in Wrexham.
A swimming session for the whole family, please see flyer below for more details.
Speech and Language Advice Line
The advice line is available Monday 9.00am to 10.00am and Thursday 3.30pm to 4.30pm. It's a chance to speak to a therapist about various issues. The Advice Line is open to residents of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board areas (North Wales).
Further details are available here in Welsh and English .
Family Fund
The Family Fund has changed its criteria and the way it looks at income. It now has one income limit for the whole of the UK. It looks at the money coming into a household to decide whether a family’s income meets the new income limit of £28000. To find out if the Family Fund can help you please visit their website.
Find out more from the Family Fund website
Texting service for emergency services
A texting service for people with Speech or Hearing difficulties to use in emergency situations is now on offer. To be able to use the service the individual must first register their mobile phone number by either going on-line to www.emergencysms.org.uk or by texting the word 'register' to 999 then following the instructions they receive.
The service must only be used by people who can't make voice calls. If an emergency occurs once they've registered they can then send a message to 999, stating what the problem is, and they will receive a reply within 2 minutes.
Transition from primary to secondary school – an important time in a child’s life
The move from primary to secondary school is an important change in most children’s lives when they leave the familiarity of the primary school, where the child has become the oldest and often the biggest in school to becoming the youngest.
To be successful at secondary school, the child must be able to successfully complete tasks such as packing a bag, navigating around a school environment and reading a timetable. Some children will leave primary school without some of these skills in place and may be at a disadvantage when they arrive at secondary school.
For this reason it is important to fully prepare children for transition as early as possible. Allowing the child time to learn and develop these skills means that he or she is able to grow in confidence and feel ready for the move to secondary school.
www.move627.org is an innovate website which aims to help support children, parents, teachers and health/education professionals during this important stage. The site includes:
- a diary system
- Adaptable tools such as colour coded timetable makers, to do lists, activity makers
- Fun and interactive games
Getting out and about
Getting out and about and doing the activities that all families enjoy is important for children with speech, language and communication needs. It is also important for their brothers and sisters. Many attractions offer concessions to visitors with special needs - you may be entitled to apply for passes/wrist bands to avoid excessive waiting times. For more information see The National Autistic Society website to view a list off attractions and concessions they offer.
New inquiry by Enterprise and Learning Committee
An inquiry is being set up to find out how the Welsh Government is helping young people not in education, employment or training (NEET).
The National Assembly for Wales’s Enterprise and Learning Committee will look at the effectiveness of strategies in place to ensure people aged 16–24 are either in learning, in jobs or are acquiring the necessary skills to forge a career.
Skills 4 u
The Dyscovery Centre, University of Wales, Newport is currently running skill building days for young people with Special Education Needs aged 14-17 years.
Skills 4 u teaches essential living and learning skills such as organisation, social skills and computing in a university environment. All skills are taught through fun, interactive activities in small groups.
Skills 4 u sessions are free of charge to families. For more information or to reserve a place for your child, please contact:
Lisa Edwards
Tel: 01633 432330
Email: dyscoverycentre@newport.ac.uk
Changes to state pension
From 6 April 2010, parents and carers are eligible for credits to build up State Pension entitlement. You may be eligible for credits if you care for a child under the age of 12, or for a sick or disabled person. Registered foster carers are also eligible.
Wrexham Maelor Hospital
If any of our members/supporters need to visit Wrexham Maelor Hospital for an appointment – they are eligible to claim back travelling expenses. You can download an expense form below or ask at the clinic you are attending.