3rd December 2014, 9:30 - 16:00
Communication for Life Workshop
Serennu Children's Centre, Newport, NP10 9LY
Meeting the communications challenges of teenage years and young adulthood.
For professionals and families supporting children and young people with Down’s Syndrome from age 9 to young adulthood.
Led by: Leela Baksi, specialist speecah and language therapist, Symbol UK Ltd.
Cost: £50 per professional (30 places available) and £20 per family member (16 places available).
If your child is moving towards puberty or is grappling with issues of adolescence and adulthood, and meeting communication challenges along the way, then this course is for you.
This course looks at the communication issues in the context of adolescence, a time of transition from childhood to adulthood. We will explore ideas and strategies that can support communication around key themes for teenagers and young adults, focusing on the strengths and challenges associated with Down syndrome.
We discuss developing skills for the teenage years and young adulthood, focusing on the nuts and bolts of speech, language and communication to build success in real life situations.
This course is designed for a mixed audience of parents and family members, Personal Assistants and befrienders, school and college staff including teaching assistants and teachers, and other practitioners including speech and language therapists. There will be opportunities to discuss issues and plans for individuals during workshop-style sessions.
COURSE OUTLINE:
Adolescence, young people who have Down syndrome, and communication skills: challenges and opportunities – What does research tell us about the communication skills of young people who have DS?
Living with communication impairment: common issues and what we can do about them
■ Key areas to address and strategies: learning words and achieving clearer speech; vocabulary, language scripts, grammar and narrative skills; personal presentation skills;
■ Too much/not enough talking! Self-talk, and selective mutism – why might it happen and what we can do about it.
Visual scaffolding to support thinking skills, and organisational skills and communication
Communication strategies for exploring issues of adolescence with young people who have Down syndrome
■ Who am I? Developing identity as a young person
■ What’s happening to me? Changing bodies and changing relationships
■ Taking a place in the adult world – Citizenship
To book a place, please email: victoria.21plus@gmail.com. Alternatively, contact Victoria on 07813877957 to discuss your booking.
When booking places, please provide:
• Your name and contact details
• Names and roles of people applying for places
• Age(s) of young people who have Down Syndrome that you support
• Name and address for invoicing. An invoice will be sent as confirmation of booking.
Symbol UK Ltd provides a range of services to people with learning disabilities including specialist speech and language therapy for people with Down syndrome, and have worked with the Down’s Syndrome Association as speech and language therapy advisors, Down Syndrome Education Trust, parent lead groups and schools, colleges and NHS services. See their website http://www.symboluk.co.uk for further details about what they offer.
ADDRESS:
Serennu Children’s Centre
Cwrt Camlas
High Cross
Rogerstone
Newport
NP10 9LY
Tel: 01633 748000
There is a free car park at the venue.