Mid West hosts international experts in special needs care for children
A voluntary run children’s charity in the Mid West has been selected to host a week of workshops by the renowned California based Speech and Language Development Centre (SLDC). Clare Crusaders Children’s Clinic in Ennis will welcome 11 therapists who will present practical and innovative programmes to parents and teachers of children with special needs in the Auburn Lodge Hotel Ennis between April 6-9
and will feature topics such as vocabulary development and communication, teaching social communication skills and managing behaviour at home and in the classroom.
Explaining the origins of the event, Jean Maguire of the event committee outlined her family spent several months at SLDC in California with her son for speech and language therapy. She said ‘We were the tenth Irish family to travel to SLDC. During our time there we found the advanced techniques and positive attitude of the SLDC staff both amazing and inspirational. They introduced us to a variety of new programmes and techniques which gave us great encouragement and direction in helping our son.’
She added ‘Before leaving California I approached SLDC with the idea of hosting an event in Ireland to help other Irish families. The lack of services and support in this country means that parents are often left feeling isolated and frustrated. I thought this would be an ideal opportunity for parents help their kids. I then spoke to the Clare Crusaders charity, where my son receives speech therapy, to consider hosting the event with SLDC.”
Dawn O Connor CEO of SLDC outlined how they welcomed their first Irish family nine years ago. She said ‘Since then we always had a plan to mobilise our team and bring our experience to an international location and when Jean first proposed the idea we were delighted to select Ireland as the host for our first overseas workshop series. Our programmes have developed through our involvement with over 340 children with special needs working with our staff of 220.’ The Ennis programme will also feature practical sessions on topics such as living with a child with special needs, sensory processing, reading and homework skills among others.
Ann Norton Manager of the Clare Crusaders Children’s Clinic welcomed the opportunity to host the event “When Howard Flannery founded the charity in 2005 his goals were to provide supports for children with special needs and give parents the skills to help their own kids to succeed to the best of their ability. Since Howard’s tragic death in 2007 we have vowed to continue his work and opened our clinic shortly after.” She added “The decision by SLDC to work with the Clare Crusaders can now help us have an impact on children across the country and we would encourage as many parents and teachers to avail of this unique opportunity.”
A total of 30 workshops will take place begiing on Tuesday 6th April with weekly, daily and half day tickets available. Event information is available on www.clarecrusaders.ie or by contacting the Clare Crusaders Children’s Clinic on 065 6896015. Admission is by pre booked ticket only and limited numbers apply for each session.
