Category Archives: ASN pupils

ICT and Inclusion Day at CALL – June 14

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 Coming to  Edinburgh in June 2012 ICT and Inclusion is Scotland’s leading annual exhibition with a focus on the use of ICT to support learners with additional suppport needs. This year’s roadshows are being held at CALL Scotland, University of Edinburgh, 14th June CALL Scotland and BRITE, the organisers of the event, have arranged for up to 25 of the UK’s leading suppliers of software and technology to support students with additional support needs to take part in the exhibition and to give a short presentation on their latest products. 

There will also be short presentations by staff from BRITE, CALL and local schools, colleges and services, illustrating the use of technology to support learning. Equipment and software on display may be of interest to adults with disabilities and the people who support them. It’s Free! The days are free to attend and run from 8.45  until 4 pm. Lunch is provided for people who book in advance.

 There will be a prize draw at the end of each day, with prizes including software, iPad apps and other worthwhile items. Make sure you stay until the end of the day to have a chance to win a prize!

Book online at www.ictandinclusion.org.uk 

 

Summer fun for young people with additional support needs

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There is a variety of dedicated sports and leisure activities for children and young people aged 5 – 16 years with a range of disabilities.  These activities will feature higher levels of support from volunteers and provide personal care where required.  The support ratio will be 1 volunteer to 2 young people unless notification of 1:1 support is requested in advance. Siblings are also welcome to participate in these activities.  Have a look at the brochure ASN Summer Activities-1 for full list of activities and sign up details.

MOVE into action in East Lothian

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MOVE (Mobility Opportunities via Education) is an innovative programme which combines therapy and education, for individuals who have physical and complex needs, to teach functional activities based on the skills of sitting, standing and walking.  This helps them to develop independence, to be able to take greater control of their lives and  to be more included in society.

Read the June 2011 MOVE newsletter to see what has been going on in East Lothian. We were one of the first Scottish authorities to sign up to MOVE and our practice in this area is part of the ongoing  commitment to innovative practice and multi-agency working, to secure the best outcomes for children and young people and to get it right for every child in the authority.

Playing music on the iPad

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Francesca Borghi, a  Music Therapy student at Queen Margaret University gave an excellent presentation to staff at the Hub yesterday on her final year research project:  An investigation into the potential of the iPad in Music Therapy.  She had been motivated to research uses for the iPad after reading about Owen Cain, a young American boy with motor neurone disease whose limbs are all in slings but he can use a gentle touch and swipe action to access music, books and a variety of other apps.  Have a look at this amazing film clip.

Francesca has been working with Greta, a 6 year old girl with quadriplegic cerebal palsy.  Greta has severe visual, cognitive and communication impairment and associated seizure disorder.  She was able to effectively use a knuckle to engage with a variety of musical apps (iOrgel, Harmonizer, Holiday Bells,  Bongos, Magic Piano) on the iPad 2 while Francesca would sing or play the guitar.

We watched several film clips of Francesca playing music with Greta while her mother supported her head.  It had taken some time to build up a relationship of trust and from there real progress was apparent. Greta was able to choose which app she wanted to use by clicking on the icon with her knuckly.  She was clearly engaging with the music and enjoying herself.

The potential for use of the iPad for pupils with severe and complex learning needs is huge. These devices could be used by many pupils in a many different ways and supported easily by staff.  The management issues over accessing  the iTunes store on the school network to obtain apps needs to be overcome.