Assessments
Following referral, children attend Assessment sessions to enable a fuller assessment of their development needs to take place. The outcome of the assessment will determine which sessions if any and what level of support are most appropriate. Stepping Stones also provides outreach support to a child's existing childcare provision.
Children’s needs are ongoingly reviewed to ensure that planned support remains relevant and appropriate. Any planned changes to children’s support/sessional requirements will be discussed with parents/carers.
Teaching Strategies
Visual Strategies
Objects of reference/visual prompt cards/timetables, helps the child to understand expectations ie. what will happen next, and following adult direction.
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TEACCH Trays
A visual approach to support the child to engage with a range of adult chosen activities, using green and red trays and a visual strip. The use of TEACCH strategies supports the child in following adult direction, engaging with and completing a range of activities and developing independent learning skills.
PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System)
Where children have delay in their expressive communications skills, the Speech and Language Therapist may recommend the introduction of PECS. PECS supports children to initiate communication using picture cards. The child is supported to learn to exchange a card and eventually a sentence strip to request a motivating item/toy. PECS is used alongside language to prompt and support a child's communication skills.
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Attention Bucket Activity
This strategy supports children to give attention to motivating items/toys and the child leading the activity. The process is extended to support sustained attention and the ability to shift attention to take a turn and refocus on the activity. These are skills which support children’s ability to focus to learn. It supports awareness of the adult and other children through shared experiences.
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Makaton
Makaton is a simplified sign language used alongside spoken words. It is most often used and/or recommended by the speech and language therapist for children who have delay in their speech and language skills who are able to give focus and engagement to the adult.
Through modelling, hand over hand support and repetition the child is encouraged to use early signs to communicate what they want.
The team may use Makaton within the playroom to reinforce direction given to a child alongside visual support.
ALL COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES WORK TOWARDS THE CHILD DEVELOPING SPEECH AS ALL INTERACTION IS SUPPORTED BY THE ADULT USING SIMPLE LANGUAGE.
You can see some examples of these strategies on our YouTube Channel which you can view here