LEGO THERAPY

"Lego-based therapy is an evidence based approach that aims to devlop social communicationskills, such as sharing, turn-taking, following rules, usingnames and problem-solving.

In practice, children work in groups of three with each particioant having a distinct role to build a Lego model collaboratively:

Engineers-use the Lego instructions and ask the Supplier for the specific pieces of Lego needed.

Suppliers-give the Builder the pieces.

Builders-follow the building instructions from the Engineer in order to construct the model"

DRAWING & TALKING

Is a safe and easy drawing technique that is used with children that are withdrawn/teary, or those who have suffered trauma or have underlying emotional difficulties. It supports those who are not realising their potential, either academically or socially.

The children drawing will have an allocated slot with a trained adult once a week where they can talk and draw about anything on their mind.  The trained adult will ask a number of no-intrusive questions about their drawings and over time a symbolic resolution is found to old conflicts, and trauma is healed.

The work is carried out safely and non-intrusivley, with respect for their own pace and state of being. The adult is trained in how to stay in the world of the child's drawing.  The child sets the pace and decides what to bring to the session.

After completion of Drawing & Talking Therapy, children are more able to control their behaviour, better able to access the curriculum and most importantly have higher self-esteem.

For younger children that are unable to draw, Sand Play is used instead.

SENSORY CIRCUITS & CORRIDOR

The Sensory corridor was introduced to enable some of our children to access learning breaks when needed.

We are very lucky to be able to deliver Sensory Circuits to many of our children at the beginning of the school day.  The aim of the Sensory Circuits programme is to facilitate sensory processing and sensory integration, and to allow children to be in the optimum state of alertness, ready for leaning.

There are many benefits for children that participate in sensory circuits including:

*  Improving and developing physical skills such as skipping, balancing, jumping......
*  Waking up' and be more readily engaging in group activities
*  Increased focus and attention and an improved ability to settle down to work
*  Improved communications skills
*  Improved fine motor skills and handwriting