Picture of Paul young demonstrating techniques Brain Gym - one of the most popular sessions at our Annual Conference in the past few years has been "The Brain Gym", hosted by the ever-inspiring Paul Young.

Brain Gym book Brain-gym is a series of quick, fun and effective exercises designed to enhance performance by assisting whole brain integration. Developed over 25 years ago by Paul Dennison, it was originally designed to help children and adults with reading difficulties, it is now a commonly used technique in education and commerce. Teachers who work with pupils with Special Educational Needs may well have come across the technique before, but recently its potential has been discovered by a wider range of users. Find out more by visiting the official Brain-Gym website or asking your school's SENCo. There are several books on the topic available via your local bookstore or online (e.g. Amazon).

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PECS - Picture Exchange Communication System - particularly suitable for younger children, PECS has been ably championed at the KSA by Sasha for a number of years, her workshop proving extremely popular with many parents. Cover of book: A Picture's Worth Where speech and language difficulties arise, PECS can, among its many benefits, bring effective communication forward and relieve the frustration felt by many affected children and parents. Further information is available on the PECS web-site and in a helpful book A Picture's Worth: PECS and Other Visual Communication Strategies in Autism (Topics in Autism) by Andrew Bondy & Lori Frost (also available from Amazon)

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The Hanen Program - One of our members in Wales introduced us to the Hanen System for children with language difficulties, pointing out that it made her realise how many more things she could do to help her son. The program runs in two forms (a) for teachers and (b) for parents. We printed (with permission) detailed information in our August 2002 Newsletter. Further information can be found in:

Benjamin, J., (1999) Nursery World (Jan 21)

Weitzman, E., Learning Language & Loving it, Publ. Hanen Centre

Manolson, A., It takes two to talk, Publ. Hanen Centre

Or contact:
Winslow Publishers, Telford Road, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX6 0TS
Tel.: 01869 244644 or email [email protected]

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Parrott Publishing offer an online (free) textbook Collaborative Teaching: Special Education for Inclusive Classrooms that offers a range of ideas for teachers. You may wish to explore Chapter 4 that examines the importance of the Teacher/Parent collaborative relationship. These links will open the document in a new window.

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Fine Motor Skills need developing early. Your occupational therapist should have a range of ideas. One book recommended to us has been Johnson-Levine, K. (1991) Fine Motor Dysfunction: Therapeutic Strategies in the Classroom Pub Harcourt, Oxford. The book (for teachers & OT professionals) is quite expensive (the alternative CD even more so) but has a wealth of activities for small groups & individuals. You will probably NOT be able to purchase the book unless you are a Special Needs/OT professional. Ask your school's SENCo or your OT to make enquiries. The publishers produce a range of other resources available to help at school and at home - visit their site for more information (http://www.harcourt-uk.com) and have a word with your SENCo to find out what they have for you to try at home.

All information on this site is correct to the best of our knowledge, however the KSA (UK) recommends that you verify all facts before acting upon them. Medical treatment and advice should always be confirmed by your GP, consultant or family doctor.

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