The topics for Spring 2010 are as follows:

Mike Turner, SEN Strategic Manager in the Local Authority will be co-ordinating responses to the forum posts from parents and carers.
“There are four key objectives, which the Local Authority expect to achieve through this project. It will enable parents to:

* celebrate effective SEN practice in schools/early years settings provision;
* ensure that this effective practice is more widely shared;
* identify areas where we need to work together to improve practice; and
* provide an opportunity to contribute to policy development by the Local Authority.”
Mike Turner, SEN Strategic Manager.

Topic 1 - Support for literacy difficulties (including dyslexia)

Tell us what your school is doing to identify and support children with literacy difficulties (including dyslexia).
What has been suggested as a way of working with your child at home to support what is happening in school?

Topic 2 - Transition (the process of moving from one school to another)
Responses on 14+ transition to adulthood (up to 25) would be encouraged.

Tell us what makes the transition process successful for children with SEN?
What would help to make it even better for transferring pupils and for you, as their parents or carers?

The forum can be found at www.somersetparentpartnership.org.uk/channel/index/id/1270

ANNUAL MEETING - ALL WELCOME

7.00 for 8 pm
Wednesday 10 March 2010

Highbridge Community Centre
Market Street, HIGHBRIDGE

RICHARD MILLS

Hon. Sec and Research Director of Research Autism will be speaking on the evidence base for autism treatments and care.

Research Autism, uniquely, targets research into interventions - www.researchautism.net

Richard Mills, sometime Director of NAS children’s and adult services, is an internationally respected authority around these sometimes contentious areas .

The meeting will be preceded at 7.30pm by the Branch AGM , agenda to be circulated separately to NAS members.

Light refreshment available

Call Campbell Main 01278 788776 for further information

January and February meetings will be in the Upstairs Coffee Shop in County Stores. We usually sit on the comfy chairs on the left or on the opposite side by the entrance.

Diary dates and plans are as follows:-

Wednesday, January 27th, 10am to 12 noon - Upstairs Coffee Shop, County Hall
Wednesday, February 24th, 10am to 12 noon - Upstairs Coffee Shop, County Hall
Wednesday, March 31st, 10am to 12 noon - Parmin Hall, Parmin Way,off Normandy Drive. Speaker Amy Phipps, Regional Officer National Autistic Society.
Wednesday, April 28th, Spring Lunch, Venue TBA
Wednesday, May 26th, Speaker and Venue TBA
Wednesday, June 30th, Summer Lunch

All Welcome. Any questions contact Angela via this website or on 01823 352488.

Aiming High for Disabled Children, is the Government Funding Initiative, intended to improve services and involvement for families with children with disabilities. http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/healthandwellbeing/ahdc/AHDC/

Trisha has a commitment to do the following

v Set up area forums for parents
v Rewrite the participation strategy (parents to rewrite this in consultation with officers)
v To develop publicity strategy to include a website and data base of interested parents who may or may not wish to participate but all of whom would receive information from the forum which may be of interest to them.

She has booked Exchange House, opposite B block entrance at County Hall, Taunton. 10 to 12, Wednesday 10th February for a meeting to explain what this is all about. There will be a brief presentation and opportunity to discuss what is intended and ask questions. There is also a short questionnaire for parents to complete.

Travel and child care costs will be reimbursed to any parent/carer who attends and there is coffee etc on arrival.

The last slide on Trisha’s presentation is as follows:-

‘There is nothing that cannot be done if we all raise our voices as one’

We are also very proud that Lazarus Holidays has been appointed as a Premier Agent of the UK’s leading operator specialising in holidays for people with disabilities and this recognition is all the more pleasing as this status is not ordinarily granted to new agents. We are able to provide a complete holiday package: flights, accommodation, which has been rated by qualified assessors in respect of facilities to ease disability, and assisted private transfers. We will also be able to provide any mobility aids you may require to assist making your holiday that much more comfortable.

In addition we will also be providing cruise packages sailing out of the UK, mainland Europe, the Caribbean and Worldwide. Further, through a specialist Indian Ocean operator, not only will we provide truly unforgettable paradise style holidays but also tailor made Wedding and Honeymoon packages on the beautiful island of Mauritius, which for people with disabilities, we believe is unique to Lazarus Holidays in the UK!

We are very excited about this new venture and believe we are providing a unique and invaluable service to disabled people. One of the cornerstones of the success of Lazarus Group Companies is the unrivalled level of personal and individual service. As you are aware our ethos is to treat everyone as an individual and treat all with equal respect. You have my personal guarantee that when you book your overseas holiday with Lazarus Holidays you are guaranteed to enjoy the same high level of service upon which we have built the business.

We have a team of specially trained travel consultants eagerly awaiting to unlock your dream holiday. It’s only a phone call away and easier than you may think to arrange for you so pick up the phone today and ring on 01484 421440 or complete the form below and mail us with your requirements.

Visit our web site at www.lazarusholidays.co.uk

I’m writing to tell you about a significant victory in the campaign to save Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance.

Secretary of State for Health, Andy Burnham MP, announced yesterday that Disability Living Allowance will not be scrapped and the money used to fund the proposed national care service.

Many thanks to all those who showed their support for this campaign by signing the online petition that we told you about in our last campaign newsletter. You should be very proud of your involvement as you have made a real difference to the lives of disabled people who depend on Disability Living Allowance to live their lives in the way they want.

But we cannot hang out the victory bunting just yet as the future of Attendance Allowance still hangs in the balance. Please continue to show your support of this campaign and help us to ensure that Attendance Allowance stays.

If you haven’t already, please sign the petition!

And write to your local MP asking them to convey your concerns to the secretary of State for Health. Read the Disability Charities Consortium (DCC) statement.

Don’t let the campaign stop here - please pass this on to any of your friends or contacts that may wish to know.

Thanks again for making a difference.

Yours sincerely,

Jamie Robertson
Local Campaigns Officer
Scope
6 Market Road
London
N7 9PW

Telephone: 020 7619 7370
Email: jamie.robertson@scope.org.uk

Matthew Downie
Campaigns Manager

The National Autistic Society, registered office: 393 City Road, London, EC1V 1NG, UK
Tel: +44(0)20 7833 2299, Fax: +44 (0)20 7833 9666, Email: nas@nas.org.uk
VAT registration number: 653370050; a charity registered in England and Wales (269425) and in Scotland (SC039427)
Copyright The National Autistic Society 2009

See link below if you are interested.

http://shop.lego.com/product/?p=2853505&LangId=2057&ShipTo=UK

The following is a list of activities currently offered.

REGULAR ACTIVITIES

Hillside Children’s Centre - Children’s Activities

1st and 3rd Saturdays of the Month
10.30 to 4pm for under 9s with parent/carer

Sydenham Children’s Centre Bridgwater

Various Activities
2nd Saturday of the month.
10 to 3pm for under 9s with parent/carer.

The Levels, Children’s Centre, Langport

Last Saturday of the month
Activities for under 6s with parent/carer

Jungle Jungle - Soft Play, Yeovil

1st Tuesday of the month
Under 13s and siblings
£6.50
5pm to 6.30pm

Willow Village - Soft Play- Bridwater (Blue slide Club)

3rd Tuesday and 4th Monday of the month.
Under 13s and siblings
£4.50
5pm to 7pm

Over 9s Club

1st and 3rd Sunday of the month.
Activities out and about such as a picnic on the beach, walks, cinema, bowling etc.

If you would like to know more about The Children’s Autism Outreach Team or to enquire about or book any of the activities mentioned then telephone Pauline or Barbara on 01458 252232.

Specialisterne was started by a Danish man whose own son has autism.

Thorkil Sonne now employs more than 40 people with autism.

He is finalising plans to set up a branch in Glasgow in the coming months.

He hopes to hire 50 workers in the first three years of operating in Scotland.

Autism affects about 1% of the population across Europe.

According to the National Autistic Society (NAS), people with the condition say a job is the one thing that would really improve their lives.

And yet a survey by Autism Europe shows 62% of adults with autism do not have any work at all.

Difficulties

I visited Specialisterne and met Soeren Ljunghan, 42.

He has a form of autism called Asperger’s Syndrome.

It gives him focus and persistence - traits which have helped him become a champion weight-lifter.

But autistic people find social interaction and unpredictability difficult. Soeren endured a spell of unemployment.

He said: “It was a living hell.

“I kept going to job interviews but coming second and wondering why I wasn’t chosen.

“It was very stressful. I began to question whether I would work again.”

Thorkil Sonne
People come to me who’ve had difficulties in the labour market and got depressed. They’re like computers that need re-booting
Thorkil Sonne

At Specialisterne, Soeren works 25 hours a week testing software.

He said: “I like the work because I know what to expect from each day.”

The company’s founder, Thorkil Sonne, recognises his staff with autism need a quiet environment and fixed routines.

Given the right conditions, they excel at technical tasks.

Robots and Lego models are used to test their skills.

Thorkil Sonne said: “People come to me who’ve had difficulties in the labour market and got depressed.

“They’re like computers that need re-booting.

“I see them grow in self-esteem.

“It’s the most motivating part of my work and a magical moment for me, as the father of a boy with autism.”

Thorkil’s son Lars was diagnosed at the age of three. He is now 12.

Fulfilling lives

Thorkil told me: “I read up about the condition - but there were too many books describing what people can’t do.

“And yet my staff are able to go and work at the premises of our customers.

“I’m so proud. I didn’t think that would be possible when I started the company five years ago.”

The experience in Denmark shows autistic workers are an untapped resource.

Politicians in the UK are developing plans to help adults with autism lead more fulfilling lives.

Special strategies have been published in Wales and Northern Ireland.

A bill that will provide the first specific legislation on autism for England is making its way through Parliament at the moment, with good cross-party support.

It will lead to formal guidance for local authorities and the NHS about how to help adults with autism.

Charities say this cannot come soon enough.