Fine Motor Skills:
- These skills use the smaller muscles in the hands, feet, fingers, wrists and toes.
- These skills may include grabbing and gripping, holding objects, picking things up and releasing, as well as rotating objects. These skills relate to both the hands and feet.
Joseph has been attending Dame Vera Lynn Children's Charity since February 2017. Over these few months we have seen a huge improvement in Joseph's ability to bring his hands together and to use both hands at the same time. He now sits better and enjoys feeding himself and turning the pages of his books, and is getting much better at picking up and handing us objects. With support he can now stand up really well and take a few steps. We have also noticed that lately he makes a bigger variety of noises and expressions! The service has definitely helped our family - seeing our son make progress has been the biggest reward, but it has also been really uplifting to meet people so willing to help us and also to be able to speak to other parents in similar situations." Magda Mallows
Communication Skills:
- Communication is not just about using your voice. For some of our children, they may never be able to speak. We help them to explore other methods of communication such as body language, facial expressions, signs, symbols, Makaton or body signing.
- Some children may use pictorial systems such as PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) or eye-gaze.
- We want all children to be able to communicate their thoughts, needs and wants and for those around them to be able to understand and respond to them.
"Carol, the Charities Outreach Worker, comes to visit us at home on a Monday or Thursday. Seren really enjoys these visits and has started to sign, use the drum and is grabbing Carol's hand to put onto toys which is her way of communicating. She is also playing with water and bubbles and her sensory skills have improved so much." Annabel Mason
Social Skills:
- The way children interact not only with their parents and carers, but those around them is very important.
- We support children to learn how to make friends and play and depending on their age and ability, we also support them to learn to take turns and understand other children's point of view.
Self-care Skills:
- One of the main aims for all of our children is to become as independent as possible.
- Children learn how to care for themselves and depending on their age, condition and ability, we support children to learn how to feed themselves, drink, brush their teeth and go to the toilet.
Emotional Wellbeing:
- We help all children to begin to learn how to manage and express their feelings appropriately, depending on their age and ability.
- For most children, this is about them being content and at ease, enjoying play or sensory experiences and taking pleasure in what they are doing.
- We also support children to learn how to recover from being upset.
"I just want to take this opportunity to thank you for everything you do for Liam. We have noticed a remarkable change in Liam since he began the sessions and that's all down to your hard work and perseverance. He is gradually coming out of his shell and participating more and more. We as a family are very proud of the progress he has made, so thank you!" Alison Paine
Resources:
- Children with complex multiple needs require a lot of resosurces.
- We support parents to ensure that they have access to the professional services they need as as well as supporting them to access grants, benefits and other forms of financial support.
Support at home
- We show parents how to support their child's development with a range of activities and exercises, which they are advised to carry out at home each day, to reinforce the work that we do in our weekly sessions at our Centre.
- We also help parents to support ther child with positive routines, boundaries and attention, using positive encouragement and praise.
Conductive Education Sessions Speech and Language Outreach Services Music Therapy Swimming Sessions Messy Play Sensory Sessions
