If you are a parent of a child who is learning how to speak you will get the most out of this talk. Presented by CATTS Lead Speech and Language Therapist, Marijke, this one hour course covers the following areas:

What do children learn from play?
Tips to use in Play
Creating Communication Opportunities
Types of Play
Toys to help language development
What to Avoid
Choosing Toys

This short course is FREE.
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COURSE FEEDBACK
After you have completed this course, please remember to complete our COURSE FEEDBACK SURVEY which helps us plan future courses to meet your needs.

Stuttering, or stammering can profoundly affect an individual. There are ways you can practically help.

What is Attention, and how can we help kids ‘tune in’?

What viewers say about our Attention course   

"I have learned loads. I have to minimise distractions. Keep my language simple, not have long sentences. smaller sentences in chunks. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Try and encourage turn-taking. Use visual clues."

What viewers say about our Attention course   

"I learned to give a child time to process what you are telling them. Show picture support. Show good listening yourself"

What viewers say about our Attention course   

"I feel this course has covered so much and I have gained so much from it I can’t think of anything else that could be included."

What viewers say about our Communicating Pain to children course   

"I never realised something pretty obvious: the need of teaching the body parts in order for the children to communicate effectively where it hurts."

What viewers say about our Communicating Pain to children course   

"I liked the way the course was delivered easy to follow and understand. I also got a few ideas that I could use in my work going forward."

What viewers say about our Communicating Pain to children course   

"I got loads of ideas to work on expressive/receptive language in relation to expressing pain"

What viewers say about our Communicating Pain to children course   

"I have learned in order to teach pain you have to teach body parts and the concept of pain combined. I have been given lots of ideas to do this."

What viewers say about our Communicating Pain to children course   

"I never thought of it in the way it was presented in this talk."

What viewers say about our Communicating Pain to children course   

"I liked the delivery of the course. The provider was easy to listen to and conveyed her information clearly and concisely. The ideas to teach body parts and concept of pain were very helpful."

What viewers say about our Communicating Pain to children course   

"Loved this course, especially the importance of teaching and of talking about pain and how it is presented."

What viewers say about our Communicating Pain to children course   

"I liked the quick, simple and incidental learning methods. Concise and engaging course. The presenter was informative and her personal stories interesting."

Being able to successfully communicate the source of, and even cause of, pain is vitally important in a young child or a person with communication issues.

What viewers say about our Behaviour Overview course   

"The speaker is very articulate and explains things very well. the eight things to consider give a good overview of how best to manage behaviour so as not to negatively impact the child."

What viewers say about our Behaviour Overview course   

"The presenter gave very clear instructions on how to help a child with behaviours that challenge. The 8 points were very simply put and easy to follow."

What viewers say about our Behaviour Overview course   

"The eight area’s covered each had their own learning, from the use of the abc approach to grandma’s rule it is important to consider how our reaction to each situation can impact the child."

What viewers say about our Behaviour Overview course   

"I liked the ideas strategies and scenarios explained. I will try to incorporate these in the Early Years"

Short overview about behaviour. This topic comes up a lot in requests from parents, teachers and carers alike.

But… what is behaviour?

After this course, you may wish to take:

What viewers say about our Behaviour -Using Social Stories course   

"I learned about choosing something that interest them to base the social story on, also the importance of positivity & not setting the child up to fail"

What viewers say about our Behaviour -Using Social Stories course   

"Loved it!! Haven't used Social Stories before. Can't wait to check out websites recommended."

What viewers say about our Behaviour -Using Social Stories course   

"I loved the way it was presented and so clearly explained, also how she said to use phrases like sometimes/ I will try etc, it gives the child the understanding that they will not always get it right nor are they expected too."

What viewers say about our Behaviour -Using Social Stories course   

"I learned that it is very important to use the right phrases. That verbal children can help to write social stories with you as opposed to having it written for them."

A social story is a great tool to help manage expectations, which can often lead to a reduction in what is often termed ‘Problem behaviour’.

What viewers say about our Communication Passports course   

"Thoroughly enjoyed the session, lots of practical ideas and tips."

What viewers say about our Communication Passports course   

"Loved the style of the video and the fact you could see the pages of the passport as she was explaining them."

What viewers say about our Communication Passports course   

"I had never of heard of this before so it was all new!"

What viewers say about our Communication Passports course   

"Love the examples and template! Very useful."

What viewers say about our Communication Passports course   

"Great tips and ideas to help me with the children I work with."

What viewers say about our Communication Passports course   

"Engaging presenter !! Lots of useful information."

Speech and Language Therapist Marijke Morris outlines what Communication Passports are, how to create them, and why you always need them for children and adolescents with communication difficulties.

If there is ever a ‘Silver Bullet’ item, when done well, that can help family members, teachers, SNAs and carers to work together to ensure a child is given the best chance – this is it.

This short course is FREE. You do need to log in to view or access it however.

It is best to have your child’s teacher or SNA’s help with creating these.

What viewers say about our Practical Techniques to help a child’s communication course   

"The short videos were very helpful and gave great ideas to try"

What viewers say about our Practical Techniques to help a child’s communication course   

"I like the real life footage, putting the strategies in place"

What viewers say about our Practical Techniques to help a child’s communication course   

"All the different strategies for teaching communicaton. All techniques were clearly explained. The use of the child alongside the lecturer in the video made it a lot easier to understand."

What viewers say about our Practical Techniques to help a child’s communication course   

"I didn’t realize how many opportunities there were each day to work on communication, both formally and informally. Excellent"

What viewers say about our Practical Techniques to help a child’s communication course   

"I enjoyed this course especially as there were videos to demonstrate all the elements of trying to encourage communication."

What viewers say about our Practical Techniques to help a child’s communication course   

"I really liked that there were videos to demonstrate how to use the different strategies. I find these very useful as for myself, I find it easier to learn when I am able to see exactly how the techniques are used."

Children with communication difficulties need extra practice. Typical kids need hundreds of repetitions of a word to learn a word (except for swear words) and kids with communication difficulties often need more than that.

When you create communication opportunities, you make sure that your child practices their communication skills. And as we all know, practice makes perfect!

The techniques in this course are the foundation skills needed to ensure your child gets the best consistent opportunities to communicate and learn.

Think of it like watching a game of football. ‘All’ that the player really does is repeat the same core skills over and over again during the duration of the game, long kicks, dribbling, heading the ball, etc.  How well the player practices each individual skill and learns to combine them makes the difference.

It is the same with assisting a child to encourage communication – whether that child is pre-verbal or at any stage of language development.   Each video snippet of the techniques are designed to be viewed frequently by you, or those with whom your child regularly interacts with, grandparents, childminders, older siblings etc.

Here are 5 things you can do to help your child communicate.

There are some common things which every parent goes through when they suspect, or are informed that their child has a communication difficulty.

Parents:
This short talk does not seek to tell or suggest to avoid them, it does however outline what they are, so that you know that it isn’t just you, all parents have gone through some or all of these to a lesser or greater degree. Once you are aware, you are better able to deal with them and help your child.

SNAs / Teachers / Therapists:
Knowing and being aware of the concerns and issues a parent may have helps you to better help them.
Please take the 15 minutes to view this talk.

Remember: For you, it may be say, a Tuesday afternoon; for the parent you are speaking to, that day may go down in their family history as the time they were informed of a concern, or a diagnosis – or the day their child had a breakthrough in class!

(For anyone using the CATTS CPD points on this site to help them with their professions CPD hours, we have allocated this talk 1,000 CPD points – usual amount is 10-50.  Trying to understand the needs and concerns of the parents you work with is vital.)

All upcoming Lámh courses with CATTS.

Please click on the ‘Take This Course’ button below to see a list of upcoming dates.

• This presentation is aimed at parents of young children and will offer tips for early language development.

This is a general talk designed to provide information on language development in young children.

It is not focused on children with specific or additional needs, but information is provided on when to be concerned about your child’s speech and language development.

Your Instructor

Marijke is the Lead Clinician for CATTS. She has more than 19 years experience in Speech and Language Therapy.

She qualified and worked in South Africa before moving to Ireland in 2001. Her degree also includes qualification as an Audiologist. She founded CATTS in late 2009 after several years with the HSE.

Her experience includes working as part of multidisciplinary teams in general Private Practice, Intellectual Disability, Visual Impairment and Autistic Spectrum Disorder, with a wide variety of ages and disorders.

As well as extensive direct clinical experience in Early Intervention, management and supervision, she provides SLT supervision and mentoring to other therapists.

Marijke also has experience in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), including Lamh (signing), the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and high tech communication devices. Marijke is trained in the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), which assesses social and communicative behaviour associated with autism.

Marijke is certified to present the Hanen parent training programmes It Takes Two to Talk, More Than Words and TalkAbility. She is also a certified Lamh tutor.

She has a special interest in paediatric Speech & Language Therapy, food aversion and professional development. Marijke is registered with the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT) and the International Association of Logopedics and Phonetica (IALP).

She is chairperson of the Independent Speech-Language Therapists of Ireland (ISTI).

How to create, and use visuals PROPERLY to help the child in your class, person in your service, or loved one at home, communicate with others – AND reduce anxiety and frustration. (For everyone!)

This course which is created and delivered by a Senior Speech & Language Therapist (SLP in the USA) covers the steps required to create and support someone who cannot speak for themselves, by using Visual aids.

This course will be of benefit to:

Special Needs Assistants, Special Education Teachers, or Class Teachers who have people in their class who have communication difficulties.

Family members and carers of people with non-verbal communication needs

Nurses and Professional Care staff who wish to support patients in their care

What viewers say about our Emotional Regulation course   

"It is important to allow the child to express their emotions but that you should give them strategies to cope with these big emotions"

What viewers say about our Emotional Regulation course   

"I learned that it’s ok to let a child have these emotions, as long as we provide them with tools to help them come back down the scale again to help them feel ok"

What viewers say about our Emotional Regulation course   

"I liked the walkthrough of emotional support documents"

What viewers say about our Emotional Regulation course   

"I really liked the comparison between the t- Rex and the scale, I think a child would really enjoy this"

What viewers say about our Emotional Regulation course   

"I learned not to say calm down or don’t be angry/sad. I feel sometimes this can be a normal reaction but from now on I will be saying “What will make us feel a little less ………”"

What viewers say about our Emotional Regulation course   

"I really enjoyed it and I learned a lot from it. Thank you!"

What viewers say about our Emotional Regulation course   

"I liked the section which explained the visual aids required to make emotional regulation a success."

Lets talk about emotional regulation. We all need it. How do you encourage it with someone who has difficulties?

What viewers say about AAC Devices 101   

"I really enjoyed AAC Devices 101"

What viewers say about AAC Devices 101   

"I liked how each form of communication was covered and the pros and cons to each and everyone. I also liked how it was explained how you can prompt the person without going straight to tell the person."

What viewers say about AAC Devices 101   

"Good overview of AAC devices and allowed user to gain knowledge and make proper choice in what suits students best"

What viewers say about AAC Devices 101   

"I really liked every aspect of this course and feel that I can take a lot of information away from it."

What viewers say about AAC Devices 101   

"I learned that no one system, may be adequate and the technology may be used for different purposes"

What viewers say about AAC Devices 101   

"I liked the positive emphasis, the highlighting of the importance of the student’s autonomy and enjoyment and the practical approach she had!"

This overview of AAC devices will help you learn the differnt types of systems.

You will learn about the pros and cons to both the Light and High tech systems.
You will learn that no one system may suit, and to realise the importance of the student’s autonomy.
You will also cover the considerations that should be used for ACC.

It will also give pointers on how you can help and assist an individual who is learning to use their AAC device.

What viewers say about our Down Syndrome 101 course   

"It gave a clear insight into all ages of a child with Down syndrome and the difficulties they may face along the way, I found the course very interesting."

What viewers say about our Down Syndrome 101 course   

"Course was really well presented and full of practical strategies"

What viewers say about our Down Syndrome 101 course   

"The different ways that you can alter your teaching to cater for their difficulties. The fact that they are a child with down syndrome and not a down syndrome child -lovely! The verbal and memory difficulties and how to help them in class – found very interesting."

What viewers say about our Down Syndrome 101 course   

"The practical tips on helping a child with down syndrome, such as giving choice, being aware that their physical or health problems may be impacting on their ability to learn in the classroom."

What viewers say about our Down Syndrome 101 course   

"I have been working with some pupils with down syndrome and was never told a lot of this. I learned lots of practical tips that I can use. Thanks"

What viewers say about our Down Syndrome 101 course   

"Found it very interesting. As someone who already works in a special needs school there was plenty of content that would really help me when working with a child who has down syndrome."

This training course will cover:
• What is Down Syndrome
• The scope and range of Down Syndrome
• Co-morbidity and what it means
• Early intervention
• Typical accommodations to support a pupil with Down Syndrome school
• Techniques that help generally

The 101 courses are designed to give an overview of the topic, and will give pointers and links to follow on courses that can deep dive more into tips or techniques to assist and help.