What’s new in the blog...
I'm thrilled to bring you a special video addressing a question from Ciara Olwill, a special education teacher at St. Mary's National School in Virginia, County Navan.
Ciara aims to create an inclusive environment in her school by introducing basic Lámh signs to all students, ensuring that children who communicate with Lámh can connect with everyone.
And Ciara ...
I've recently received a question from one of our readers, a mother of two young children, one autistic, and the other is currently awaiting assessments.
I'm sharing this with you because her question resonates with the experiences of many in our community: the feelings of being overwhelmed as we strive to support our children, often without a clear roadmap for navigating this journey.
I've...
(Photo 14997390 © Darko64 | Dreamstime.com)
As an early intervention specialist and a parent, I understand the importance of teaching delayed gratification to all children, including children with disabilities. It is a valuable life skill that helps them learn patience, perseverance, and the ability to work towards what they want.
In this blog, I share practical strategies to help...
(Photo 118478201 / Child © Katie Nesling | Dreamstime.com)
As an education consultant who has worked with many parents and teachers of children with additional needs, I have noticed that rewards are often used to manage children's behaviour.
In particular, some approaches geared towards autistic children heavily use rewards to encourage the child to perform certain tasks or behaviours....
(Photo 250682456 © Eleonoraos | Dreamstime.com)
In this blog post, I wanted to answer a question sent to me by a teacher.
The Question:
"I am supporting a Junior Infant girl with Down syndrome. She is bright and happy yet very stubborn regarding what she will do. She walks out of the classroom mid-lesson, although we have movement breaks, as she would rather play! I want to do the...
(Photo Rachel Tyrrel - The Colour Club)
I started working with some new families in early January. It has been exciting to get to know the little ones and find ways to bond with them before we start an early intervention programme.
Visual supports are among the first supports I encourage families and educators to use.
Although families and educators seem aware of visual supports, only some know...
(Photo 80645577 / Autistic Child © Olesia Bilkei | Dreamstime.com)
In this blog, I answer a question sent by a preschool teacher:
The Question:
"I would love to know more about how to deal with children with autism in the preschool room who don’t have language or social skills and don’t like other children coming close to them.
I would love to know how I can help and support...
(Photo 69724423 / Child © Syda Productions | Dreamstime.com)
In this blog, I respond to an early years educator's recent question.
The Question:
"How do you stop a child with Down Syndrome from throwing toys? We have tried a box and asked her to look in the box and show her, which she will do. But then, as soon as you don't say it, she will throw toys again. We are...
(Photo 102887981 / Child Blowing Bubbles © Eleonoraos | Dreamstime.com)
Learning to control one's breath flow is critical in developing speech.
From a young age, babies experiment with this as they make sounds and babble. When babies are "blowing raspberries," they discover they can inhale and exhale to produce a sound.
This is what we do when we talk. We inhale first, and then we exhale...
(Photo 104711102 © Igor Mojzes | Dreamstime.com)
Christmas is a time of celebration and fun.
But being off school, changes in routine and family gatherings can sometimes be difficult for children with additional needs.
Over the years, through my experience as a mum and working with other families with children with disabilities, I have learned a few things about planning...
(Illustration 30939548 © Tigatelu | Dreamstime.com)
It's the season for school Christmas concerts and plays, and there is lots of excitement in the classroom as children rehearse for the Christmas recital.
Today, I want to share some points to consider when planning Christmas concerts with children with special needs, whether they attend regular or special classes.
Seeing the kids dressed...
(Photo 133112104 © Melpomenem | Dreamstime.com)
In today's blog, I answer a question a mom sent me recently:
How can I teach pointing to my 2yrs 4months nonverbal child, so he can tell me what he wants?
So let's go straight to the point and learn all about pointing.
Pointing is an important milestone for young children.
Some children point using their index finger, although others...
