Leo Palmer is a pupil at the Royal Blind School and has a split placement with West Linton Primary School in the Scottish Borders. Leo has made wonderful progress with his communication over the last year. The Speech and Language therapy team at The Royal Blind School has developed a communication profile with a clear focus on strategies that will support his communication development. These strategies are transferable and consistent between his two schools.
When Leo began his split placement, he communicated using vocalisations and some single words, along with Canaan Barrie on-body Sign Language. Leo also used photo cards for choice making, and a communication app on his iPad. Leo was using his iPad app to say ‘more’ and ‘stop’ during activities, and to request ‘up’ and ‘down’ while on his changing table.
A joint online diary between the Royal Blind School and West Linton enabled communication between settings and this sharing of information was invaluable for Leo’s development. The connection between the schools allowed staff in both places to share information about Leo’s day, note any new words he was using, and what songs/stories he was enjoying. The joint diary meant that everyone was aware of how Leo was progressing and what strategies were being used to support him in either context. The knowledge and insight gained from how Leo was engaging and communicating when he was with West Linton enabled The Royal Blind School to tailor and lead his individualised learning plan. The collaborative working between the schools has extended to shared planning documentation which enables teams at both schools to share progress, learning evaluations and plan his next steps.
"Watching Leo’s development over the past year has been amazing. His confidence has soared, and it’s heart-warming to see him finding new ways to communicate with everyone around him. The teamwork between The Royal Blind School and West Linton Primary has been key to his progress – their consistent approach and commitment to his learning have made such a huge difference. Knowing that everyone involved truly understands Leo’s needs and works together so closely gives us such peace of mind. We’re so proud of how far he’s come, and we couldn’t be happier with the support he’s receiving."
Leo loves to help tell his favourite stories and has fun joining in with his class during morning circle and other activities. Leo has grown in confidence and now communicates in many ways: using the app on his iPad, Canaan Barrie on body signs, single words (e.g., no, help, bye), gestures and vocalisations. He is learning more and more new words. Leo loves music and singing and will hum the tune of the “finished song” song signifier while using a mix of Canaan Barrie signs and vocabulary on his iPad app to let you know that he is done with this activity!
Leo is supported to develop his communication skills in every aspect of his school day. The education team at The Royal Blind School have been focusing on two key outcomes as being the key to inclusion for Leo: supporting his access to learning (like providing access to his communication device and considering Leo’s visual impairment and specific needs) and supporting Leo’s learning to access (learning to apply these skills and giving him opportunities to develop his own independence with communication).
The members of Leo’s class team use consistent communication strategies and ensure that Leo’s iPad is always within reach to provide him with opportunities to communicate throughout his day.
Leo has grown in confidence over the first year of his split placement. He is always ready to learn and shows a desire and a willingness to communicate with those around him. Leo’s progress is due to the daily collaborative input he gets from the staff within the schools who know him so well.
Written by Sarah McCauley, Speech and Language Therapist, at the Royal Blind School.
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