Classroom Chatter September 2019

25 Sep 2019

movement perspective on autism, Senor Chef competition winner, shopping outing to Broadacres Spar, spelling to communicate, Work Experience

by Michelle Kirk

On Thursday, 12 September, Vicky Oettle addressed the teachers and therapists on Spelling to Communicate (S2C) – a method to help the non-speaking, minimally speaking and unreliably speaking autistic community, as well as other non-speaking individuals who have motor and sensory difficulties, communicate. It focuses on purposeful motor and the communication partner coaches the individual through the process, which begins with the individual pointing to the letters and prompts are faded as the individual becomes more fluent. This method has been founded on the research that is behind the movement perspective on autism, where it has been seen that autism is a movement problem and not a cognitive problem.

For more information, parents are welcome to contact Nicola Sowah (who is the director of S2C South Africa) or visit their website.

As part of practical and functional life skills development, Senior LO went on a shopping trip to Broadacres Spar on Monday, 16 October 2019.

This was in conjunction with the Therapy Department and therefore Occupational and Speech Therapy targets were incorporated. Nicole (OT) and Nolene (ST) are both excellent and caring therapists and we genuinely appreciate their effort and input in the Senior Department.

Learners had to create a shopping list at home, make sure they have enough cash to take along, present a bus ticket to the driver to catch a ride, shop for the specific items on their lists and pay.

They also had to interact with the Spar staff to ask for assistance to find specific items. A special shout out to the Broadacres Spar staff, who were helpful, patient and caring.

All learners managed very well and made us super proud.

By Debbie Röhrs