Dear Parents and Carers,Welcome to the first SEND newsletter of 2024. It’s hard to believe that we’re nearly half-way through the academic year – time has certainly flown by but like most of the children, I’m looking forward to less rain and more spring sunshine! If you have any concerns about your child’s progress, please speak firstly to their class teacher. If you want to contact the SENDCO directly, please email Ms Jones at ajones@lyndhurst.southwark.sch.uk
SEND meeting – Friday 9th February 2024 – everyone welcomeIt’s the first SEND meeting of 2024 so please do come along and have a chat to Ms Jones as well as other parents and carers of children with SEND. The meetings are open to all of our SEND families and serve as a supportive space as well as an opportunity to chat to other parents/swap advice and stories. I hope you see many of you at 9.05 in the school library.
Free Music to support SEMH needs Good Therapy is a National Lottery funded FREE music program, supporting children's mental health, starting on the 17th February 2024. They still have FREE spaces for children aged 3 to 16. Parents and carers can register via our website: Progress4Youth c.i.c. (progress4youthcic.com).The enrolment form can be found on the services page via the ‘Good Therapy’ link.
SENsational day out On Thursday 15th February the Southwark Autism Support Team will be supporting SENsational Stay and Play staff and co-delivering an Autism-specific session for autistic children aged 5-11 and their parents. There will be a range of activities on offer across the day, arts, craft, games and also Capoeira sessions. The session takes place at Dulwich Wood Children’s Centre, with the benefit of some great outdoor space to roam freely and explore what’s on offer. The fantastic AST will be there to lead some of the activities, to have fun with the children, as well as be available to talk with families directly and there will also be members of the Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Team on hand. Places are limited for this session so sign up asap.
Thursday 15thFebruary 2024 10-3pmDulwichWood Children’s CentreLyallAvenue , London SE21 8QSPlaces are limited, please registeryour interest via :https://forms.office.com/e/1uHcNtR8mhOr scan QR code
Sessions provided by Southwark C&F centres in collaboration with Cherry Garden School
Real-life stories from autistic parents and familiesThe National Autistic Society publishes its own magazine, The Spectrum, that can be downloaded for free. It’s one of the UK’s largest collections of autistic art, poetry and prose. On the NAS website there’s also some some fascinating insights in their ‘Stories from the Spectrum’ series, including life as a parent to children with Autism as well as https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/stories/stories-from-the-spectrum-daniel-watkins that are definitely worth a read.
Relaxed openings for families with SEND
For families with Special Educational Needs, including ASD, the London Transport Museum opens outside its regular hours on certain special days.Enjoy the Museum at a quieter time, free from the general public, and with many of the gallery sounds turned off. Explore the All Aboard family spaces in peace, have a go at our holiday activities or get hands-on with genuine parts of transport history. Additionally, they now offer a sensory space at these events. Children are free to come in and use any of the sensory objects including the bespoke stimming board, carefully crafted by the Learning Team to provide a calming sensory experience for our visitors. There’s also a visual story that you can print or download and share with your child on the website and here: London_Transport_Museum_Visual_Story.pdfKeep an eye out also for SEND-friendly programmes at the National Gallery and the Science Museum that are worth exploring – we don’t want our children with SEND to miss out the chance to visit our fantastic London museums and galleries: SEND programme | Learning | National Gallery, London and Early Birds | Science Museum
National Autism-Friendly Cinema Screenings At least once a month, ODEON, Cineworld, Vue, Showcase, Picturehouse, and Everyman cinemas show popular films in a relaxed/sensory-friendly environment. To find out about upcoming screenings, give your local cinema a call or check out Accessible Screenings UK's helpful online database.
Useful info and contacts (box)
We Are Family is an independent peer-to-peer support community by adopters, for adopters. Find out more at https://wearefamilyadoption.org.uk/Southwark Autism Support Team (AST) - contact Mr B for advice on 078 0286 0871 or blagoje.vucinic@southwark.gov.uk Southwark Information and Advice Service (SIAS) 0207 525 3104 or Literacy and dyslexia support: https://www.bellhouse.co.uk/ https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zf2f9j6/articles/z3c6tfrBBC Dance Mat Typing (free); Doorway Online Typing (free); Nessy Fingers. Parenting Support: https://www.southwark.gov.uk/childcare-and-parenting/children-sHome | Southwark Local Offer
ADDitude Mag ADDitude is an ADHD magazine, community & website dedicated to strategies and support for individuals and families living with ADHD and related conditions. Check them out to benefit from their incredible expertise and understanding of the complex and intersecting nature of neuro-differences. Understood is a non-profit devoted to shaping the world for difference. Their website and YouTube channel provide excellent resources and advice to help neurodivergent people thrive.Made by Dyslexia is a global charity led by dyslexics that aim to increase understanding, appreciation, and support for dyslexia.
