A PROJECT has been launched to change the way professionals talk to children with special educational needs and disabilities. Reshaping Conversations is being run by Swindon SEND Families Voice forum and highlights the experiences of parents and carers as a way of promoting positive change. The organisation has worked with Swindon Down’s Syndrome Group, Mums on a Mission, Swindon Autism and ADHD Group and Swindon Children Without A Diagnosis to create a website, booklet, and video as part of the project. Reshaping Conversations project manager Rebecca Harrison said: “We were lucky enough to be awarded a grant from the DfE which allowed us to focus on something that had been coming up in conversation with parent carers in Swindon and nationally for many years.
A YEAR of lockdown and Covid restrictions has damaged the speech and language development of young people with Down s Syndrome say their parents. And a lack of face-to-face social interaction and support sessions means some have gone back into their shells. Swindon Down’s Syndrome Group trustee Mike Billinge-Jones said his son Myles, 26 has suffered - and he isn t the only one. As a result the organisation has been offering online speech and language therapy sessions to members at home. He explained: “We have been unable to continue with the class environment with speech therapy in school. Nearly all of them said their children hadn’t progressed because of the lack of communication with people, that’s why we started our speech and language sessions so they’re doing better.”
Swindon group recognising World Down's Syndrome Day with odd socks thisiswiltshire.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thisiswiltshire.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.