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General Resources
Here are a few resources that we have found helpful. If you have anything you would like to submit for this page, please contact us.
Carers Emergency Card
If you live in Surrey you can apply for one of these cards from Surrey County Council - 03456 009 009. They will send you the card to fill out and carry around with you, so that should anything happen when you are with your child, they will be able to contact someone on your behalf.
Education - Free Downloads
www.sparklebox.co.uk offer fantastic free downloads Key Stage 1 & 2 and special needs resources. It has emotion cards, visual timetable resources, word cards, etc. It is easy to navigate and there are lots of links to other sites.
See also do2learn, listed under Symbols below, for more free downloads.
Library
At the Epsom library in the Ebbisham Centre, there is a computer with the Widgit Symbol Writing Package. Ask to find out which computer it is on. If you are interested in printing off symbols, or are using PECS, you can go in and just type the words in and the symbols will pop up. You can then print these off to take home.
Libraries should have a copy of the Surrey Help File for Children with a Disability, which has a lot of useful information. If your child is Registered Disabled they should be sent a copy of this. You can also access this information online at: carersnet.org.uk
Don't forget you can access loads of helpful books at the library too, without having to purchase them. Check out our Members Recommendation for Books on the links below:
Books for Adults
Childrens Books
Portage is a home based teaching service provided by the LEA for very young children (0-3 1/2 years) with significant developmental delay or complex needs. You should be referred by your health professional as a matter of course, but you can actually refer yourself to:
County Co-ordinator: Sue Weston
Tel: 01737 737979
Fax: 01737 737911
email: s.weston@surreycc.gov.uk
Radar Key
The Radar key is a nationally used key that allows disbled persons to access the disabled toilets. Epsom & Ewell Borough Council will sell you a key for £3, all you have to do is pay the money at the cash desk in the Town Hall, stating what it is for and then go to the reception desk, who upon presentation of the receipt will issue a Radar Key. For Sutton Borough - buy at SCILL Disabilities Info, 3 Robinhood Lane, SM1 2SW 020-8770-4065. For Mole Valley buy at Help shop in Leatherhead High Street or Pippbrook Council Offices in Dorking. Some Boroughs request that you show proof of disability such as DLA award or Blue Badge.
Riding for the Disabled
Riding for the Disabled is available for children with a wide range of disabilities from the age of 4 through to adults. There is a long waiting list, and you will be required to get a health professional to provide details of your child's medical history. There is a local group based at the end of Hook Road in Epsom, telephone 01372 743 690 and online at epsomrda.org.uk, nationally their telephone is 0845 658 1082 and online at http://www.riding-for-disabled.org.uk/
Read our Members RDA Story on page 5 of our Feb 2009 News
Signing
Makaton provides signs for use with people who have learning disabilities. It focuses on using key-word signs alongside the spoken word to help communication. The website makaton.org offers a selection of resources to purchase.
Signalong is a signing system that has been designed to help children and adults with communication difficulties. They pride themselves on being user freindly and flexible. Signalong is very similar to Makaton sharing many signs, as well as using key-words alongside the spoken word. However, Signalong has devised a system which teaches standard hand shapes and movements, and once you've got to grips with that you can then access all of their 16,000+ signs should you need them. Great if you just need a few signs to help your communication, but Signalong can also be used more indepth too if required, for example with learning how to read. Please visit the Signalong website to find out more about the products they offer.
Signing Courses SCAMPPS subsidises Signalong courses for its members. Please contact Antonia for further information and details of the next course.
Social Services
You can contact the Children with Disabilities Team (North East) which is based at Bull Hill, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 7AH. Telephone 01372 833 533. You can refer your child and yourself for an assessment. You will need to specifically ask for a "Carers' Assessment" for yourself, if you want them to take your needs into consideration. If you are successful a social worker could help you fill our forms, help you find respite care, provide information on grants and charities, etc. One point to note is that in the past it has been particularly difficult to get a social worker in this area, however this is improving.
Surrey Disability Register
Surrey Disability Register is a voluntary register that helps the local authorities make more accurate plans for the number of people requiring future support. By consenting to your child being on the register you can receive relevant information such as what is included in the "Surrey Help File for Children with a Disability".
Surrey Help File
The Surrey Help File for Children with a Disability, has a lot of useful information. If your child is Registered Disabled they should be sent a copy of this. You can also access this information online at: carersnet.org.uk or at your local library.
do2learn.com is a great website offering free printable material for both parents and teachers. They have over 1,500 of the most requested symbols available to download for free in black & white, or you can subscribe annually to access their colour symbols that has software which is a bit more flexible. It's not as flexible as the widgit software, but it is cheaper and great if you just want to dabble in symbols. There are also a few free learning games about colours, numbers, words, and emotions as well as a Make-A-Schedule Program.
Google Images - Read our Member Recommendation on this topic discussing how to use photos from the search engine to support visual communication needs instead of symbols.
PECS is a "Picture Exchange Communication System" which uses symbols so your child can learn to express their needs without relying on spoken language or signing. Proper teaching of PECS involves the child handing over a symbol in exchange for the item. Sentences can be built up over time, therefore teaching the structure of language too. To find out more click here.
Widgit Software available at widgit.com offers the Communicate in Print 2 in Colour Software (currently priced at £89). This is for serious symbol users. The package offers 7,000 symbols. You can make books, newsletters or charts. It is very flexible software. You can even change the skin colour of people and the colour of items. It comes with a picture version of spell-checker, and you can even have the computer read the sentences you have written out loud. 20% discount is available on the Writing with Symbols 2000 package (usually £160 + VAT) if you are a parent whose child is Registered Disabled or has a Statement. Call 01223 425 558 ext. 773 for more information.
Talk Tools
Sara Rosenfeld-Johnson is a speech therapist from the USA and works with children to address feeding issues and speech therapy through developing their oral muscles. Many of the tips about feeding; encouraging good lip closure; retracting protruding toungues; and improving breath control can be found on the articles link at talktools.net. The company Talk Tools also sell merchandise to aid a structured programme that can be followed at home to tone and strengthen oral muscles and the muscles for breathing.
Television Programs
Something Special is the CBBC series with Justin from Tikabilla. In the program he uses Makaton signing in a very clear way, showing the symbols as well. There are great songs and video clips. The DVDs are available to purchase at £20, videos at £15, plus P&P from the Makaton website or the BBC shop.
Toy Libraries
Call their membership number to find out your local branch on 020 7255 4606 or visit them online at natll.org.uk