SERVICE DETAILS
COVID-19 UPDATE...
Coronavirus and the associated social distancing and shielding measures have meant we’ve had to stop our face to face ABC group sessions. In the meantime, we have re-designed things to enable our sessions to be delivered online.
This means we can continue to provide consistent and timely support for communication development during lockdown.
Our new ABC at Home online programme has supported more families to access sessions easier as it has reduced the need for travel or session time limitations.
We are receiving encouraging feedback from families accessing ABC at Home, telling us how easily their child is adapting to the sessions and sharing their appreciation and thanks for how we have been able to continue supporting them at this time.
We also run weekly Wee Song & Sign Circle sessions for children aged 0-3, these sessions are particularly aimed at those at an early stage of communication. You can read more about these here.
If you are a member of DSS you can access additional ABC at Home support and resources on our new online community platform (Hub 21). You can read more about this exciting new member offering here. If you would like to find out more about joining our ABC programme, please email abc@dsscotland.org.uk.
All of our online sessions comply with our Online Safeguarding policy, this can be accessed here, please take the time to read this policy prior to your session if you have any questions we are more than happy to answer them.
Normal service details...
What is an ABC group?
The groups run weekly during term time and provides information and support to parents and activities for children to develop speech, language and communication skills that can be continued in the home and school environment. The activities and approach take into account research findings on the learning style and specific profile of language development in children with Down’s syndrome. The groups will normally consist of 2, 3 or 4 children and the sessions vary in length depending on size of group from 30 minutes up to 1 hour long. A parent or carer attends with each child and joins the group activities.
Each child will have a set of communication targets set by the Speech and Language Therapist that are re-assessed twice a year.
What time will the group be?
The groups occur during term time between 10:00am - 4:30pm. The groups tend to have the younger children in the morning and the older children in the afternoon. This is usually because younger children may become more tired.
The groups run during the school day and you may be worried about your child missing school/nursery however, there are many benefits for your child attending the groups and school or nursery staff are invited to join sessions to share targets and activities. If you are worried about this please give us a call.
Cost of the group...
The funding we secure goes some way to funding the staff, training, venue and materials provided in the groups. However we ask parents to pay £6.00 a session or £3.00 for those on lower income/benefits, towards the cost of the group’s payable each term on receipt of an invoice. If you would like to take part and the payment is causing you concern, then please get in touch.
If you are interested in attending an ABC group in your area please download information and a referral form at https://www.dsscotland.org.uk/our-services/abc-groups. Please email your completed referral form to Natasha@dsscotland.org.uk.
