Resources

*These resources and activity ideas will support special needs learners

Emotions and identity

Teach Me Emotions Clock

My Identity

What makes me who I am? Everyone is good at some thing and not so good at others.

My Flag

Create a flag to represent your family identity (using colours and symbols)

Technique 'Magic country of feelings' by Grabenko et.al will help you to:

*Familiarise children with different emotional states

*Develop children's ability to reflect on emotional behaviour

*Develop children's self-control skills

Communication

In order to communicate ideas, we learn to use all forms of language - listening, reading, speaking, writing and gesturing. Learning takes place through the development of communication. The ability to take part in active and collaborating communication with peers and adults is essential for a child to succeed in school.

*Facial expressions

*Body language

*Gesture

*Manual signs

*Vocalisations

*Verbalisations

*Paraphrasing back what the child has said

*Using active listening are tools that will help to support the development of communication skills in young children.

Alternative Communication

Augmentative or alternative communication (AAC) is an umbrella term that covers the communication approaches used to supplement or replace speech. Children with severe expressive communication disorders (that are characterised by impairments in speech, language, reading and/or writing) might benefit from alternative ways of communication. When selecting additional communication tools, the strengths of the child and the characteristics of his development should be taken into consideration.

Picture Exchange Communication System

The Picture Exchange Communication System, or PECS, allows people with little or no communication abilities to communicate using pictures. People using PECS are taught to approach another person and give them a picture of the desired item in exchange for that item. By doing so, the person is able to initiate communication. A child or adult with autism can use PECS to communicate a request, a thought, or anything that can reasonably be displayed or symbolized on a picture card. PECS works well in the home or in the classroom. For more information, click here

Speech Generated Device

Makaton

Key Word Sign Australia (was formerly known as Makaton Australia) is used to encourage and support language development in children and adults with communication difficulties. Key word signing uses a core vocabulary of specially selected words that comprise concepts and ideas considered to be the most appropriate for children and adults with communication and language difficulties. Each word (concept) is matched to a hand sign. Key word signing uses Auslan signs (Australian Sign Language). For more information, click here

Facilitated Communication

Facilitated Communication (FC) is a way of helping people who can’t talk to communicate. In FC, a helper called a ‘facilitator’ helps the person to touch or point to letters on a board or keyboard. The facilitator holds the person’s hand, wrist, arm or other body part while the person types. The facilitator’s job is to help the person slow down, to make them more stable or to help them pull back from the keyboard before they type the next letter. For more information, click here

Art Therapy

Art therapy has proven to be an effective form of treatment for children with special needs. Art therapy permits children to express themselves in non-verbal ways through the usage of art tools. It provides a way for the child to communicate things they just cannot say in words.