May 2011 SPECIALIST INCLUSION SERVICE CHILD HEALTH PROMOTION

The Specialist Inclusion Service is made up of five areas. VISUAL IMPAIRMENT HEARING IMPAIRMENT AUTISTIC SPECTRUM DISORDER PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT AUGMENTATIVE & ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION

MISSION STATEMENT To raise awareness of, and promote a positive attitude towards children & young people with a sensory impairment within schools and the community. Early intervention to enable children & young people with a sensory impairment to achieve full potential in all areas of their development with the support of families, carers and educators.

Facts Hearing impairment and visual impairment are classed as low incidence disability.

5 Newborn Hearing Screen It is widely accepted that 1 in 1000 babies are born deaf and 3 in 1000 are deaf at 5 years.. It is not easy to identify that a young baby has a hearing loss. Most babies born with a hearing loss are born into families with no history of hearing loss. This hearing screening test will allow those babies who do have a hearing loss to be identified early. Early identification is known to be important for the development of the child. Support and information can be provided to parents at an early stage.

6 Newborn Hearing Screen CHILDREN 63 CHILDREN Hearing Loss 15 - Profound 8 - Severe 36 - Mod/Mild 4 - Undefined Hearing Loss 15 - Profound 8 - Severe 36 - Mod/Mild 4 - Undefined Settings 52 – Mainstream/Pre 4 – Resourced 6 – Special 1 – Deceased Settings 52 – Mainstream/Pre 4 – Resourced 6 – Special 1 – Deceased Cochlear Implants Completed 10 Under assessment 5 Cochlear Implants Completed 10 Under assessment 5

2 per 1000 of school population have a visual impairment. (V.I.) Of 10,000 pupils with a V.I. – 5000 have additional needs are educated within mainstream classes. Facts

Links Eye clinic, Audiology and ENT/Medical Personnel Paediatricians Health visitors Portage Paediatric Therapy Mainstream Schools/Nurseries Parents & Carers Special Schools Social Care Early Years Settings Child Development unit (CDU) Early years support team Playgroups/Early Years Settings Sure Start

Visual Impairment support 9 Visual Impairment can be diagnosed when a child is a few weeks old but may be identified much later if the child has a degenerative eye condition. Parents may need emotional and practical support after diagnosis. Continued support to children and families is offered throughout school years.

What we do? Visual stimulation programmes Early sensory skills Alternative communication strategies Information on hearing and eye conditions, prognosis, terminology Tactile skill development Direct Teaching Listening skills Development of play skills Advice on educational placement Mobility Assessment Transition Liaison with settings Family support In Service Training

Additional Activities (sample) 6 Week BSL Signing Class (Parents) CACDP Signing class tuition CACDP Deaf Awareness Family Support Group Pre-School music awareness with Music & the Deaf Multi-Sensory Group Child Development Unit (CDU) Groups Use of Sensory Rooms across the Authority

12 Referrals The service operates an open referral system If you are concerned that a child or young person’s hearing or vision is a cause for concern or is affecting progress or development a referral for assessment can be made. Early referral is important. If some eye conditions e.g. tumours, cataracts, squints are not detected/treated early pupils may lose vision in the eye. Some conditions i.e. tumours may be life threatening. A referral and Parental consent form should be completed and returned. Before the assessment is carried out. Following the assessment a written report is circulated to all appropriate persons. Joint assessments of pupils with both hearing and vision loss can also be provided.

Linda Parrish Head of Specialist Inclusion Service Ann Wilson Teacher of the Visually/Hearing Impaired Heath Training & Development Centre Tel: