PECS Intensive Programme 2008 - Families
We are now able to offer two types of PECS Intensive Programmes. On working directly with parents and their children in the Brighton clinic and the other at any site working with professionals and their students in classroom settings.
PECS Intensive Programme for Families
We hope that this page gives you an outline of what we are expecting from you as parents/carers and what you can expect from us at Pyramid Educational Consultants.
The PECS Intensive Programme is planned for this year to take place during most school holidays.
We are offering an intensive programme to a small number of children, with a high staff ratio in order to advance the children to the highest level they are able to achieve. For each child we develop PECS skill and consider critical communication skills at an individual level. PECS is used throughout each session at every activity.
This intensive programme is ideal for families seeking intensive communication programming using the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). The programme includes an initial assessment, approximately 2 months before the classroom based sessions, where each student’s current communicative repertoire will be assessed so that specific needs can be addressed. This will be either as attendance at the PECS Centre in Brighton or by provision of requested video of your child. This will be followed by five days intensive work in the classroom. Each day your child will work intensively for 3 hours, either in the morning or in the afternoon. The programme is designed for students needing comprehensive and intensive functional communication intervention. The emphasis will be on teaching children to communicate within functional routines. After baseline data is collected specific goals for the school will be developed for each student. There is an expectation for full involvement from parents, both by attending PECS 2 day training prior to the start of the programme plus 1 parent being present throughout the daily school based programme, for all 5 sessions.
Royal Pavilion, Brighton
IInitial assessment
A full completed application form, video of your child, and other requested information must be received by Pyramid Educational Consultants as part of the initial assessment. This will be followed by contact with the family as required. In a small number of cases it may be necessary to have more detailed information. Should this be the case either a home visit or attendance at the PECS centre may be required. Should this be needed an additional charge will be made.
Classroom based programme
A Pyramid Consultant will manage the PECS Intensive Programme within the classroom. Class size will not exceed 3 students.
We want all children who participate to get the most out of their experience with us. The main aim of the PECS Intensive programme will be to develop functional communication rather than teach to the National Curriculum. A further goal will be to empower parents by increasing their skills to implement PECS with their child accurately and at a high level and across the day. Also to increase the likelihood that PECS skills gained by the children will be maintained over time by their parents. The school day will be from 9.00 am until 12.00 noon or 1.30pm. until 4.30pm (Monday to Friday).
During the daily sessions one Parent will be expected to be involved and included, with limited input from the first day with the full support of a Consultant from Pyramid , parents will then to take on an increasing role over the course of the week. At the end of each session, the child will be allowed to play freely for 10-15 minutes to enable staff and parents to discuss the session and set tasks to be carried out at home. The focus of the brief meetings will be on the specific goals chosen for each student.
Staff
Consultants from Pyramid will be organising and operating the programme.
Location
This PECS Intensive Programme is to be held at The PECS Centre, Pavilion House, 6 Old Steine, Brighton, Sussex, which is within Brighton City Centre.
As it is based in Brighton it is expected those attending must be able to show that they would be able to make their own arrangements to bring their child to the PECS Intensive programme.
Criteria for Attendance
Age
Children that attend the PECS Intensive programme will be aged between 3 and 7 years of age. That is over 3 and under 8 at the time of the programme. Priority will be given to those students that are new to PECS and under 6 years of age.
If your child does not fit the criteria, it may be possible to provide an individualised programme for them in the home. If you would like further information please contact us.
Diagnosis
The PECS Intensive programme is open to children with Autism and/or significant communication difficulties. We regret that we may not be able to include any children with significant behaviour difficulties in view of the short time frame of this intensive programme. If this is the case we will contact you to discuss this further.
Dates/Times
The PECS Intensive programme will operate during school holidays during 2007. (Total 5 days) from 9.00 a.m. to 12 noon or 1.30 pm to 4.30 p.m. each day (Monday – Friday). All successful applicants will be offered a place during the next available holiday unless a specific request is made at the time of booking a place.
Commitment
There must be a commitment from parents that their child will attend the PECS Intensive programme on each day and continue to work to develop their child’s communication following attendance at the programme.
Equipment
If your child has a communication book that they are currently using we would like to have a list of the items they are using so that we can make symbols of those items (a photocopy of the existing communication book will suffice). We are planning to use pictures mainly from PICS for PECS, although we also have access to boardmaker and writing with symbols programmes. Communication Tools including Communication Books will be provided for each child as required and will be given to the child at the end of the PECS Intensive programme.
Health Issues
If your child is taking medication during the day, the family should arrange to administer the medication at the appropriate time(s). We will not have a nurse available to deliver medication. Medical emergencies during the PECS Intensive programme will be handled by parents or through the local accident and emergency department. We will need emergency contact information for each family during the days of this PECS Intensive Programme.
Your child’s toilet training status will not affect his/her acceptance. However, we will not toilet-train students during the programme. Please be prepared to bring in a
supply of nappies/pull-ups and baby wipes (if appropriate) plus at least one full change of clothing. Please also let us know whether your child is able to use the toilet and if they use any particular method of letting you know they wish to go to the toilet. Parents will be expected to carry out toileting whenever possible.
Benefits
- Provides a greater understanding of the Pyramid Approach to Education
- Children and parents work together under expert guidance
- Children develop functional communication skills
- Practical parental training to learn how to implement PECS with their child
- Parents gain confidence and competence
- Enables parents to continue to develop functional communication skills with their child
Deadline
Applications will be dealt with on a first come first served basis.
We will contact you with final acceptance and waiting list decisions within 4 weeks of receipt of application.
This deadline will allow enough time for families attending PECS Intensive programme to organise travel and make all other necessary arrangements. Pyramid Educational Consultants, UK Ltd. will not be responsible for travel/accommodation/or other arrangements necessary for the PECS Intensive programme.
Application form
If you are interested in sending your child, please complete application form along with other items listed on the materials checklist (see appliaction form).
Short Video
The 15-20 minute video should show your child working with either you or teachers from school and working with PECS if they are currently using PECS. A separate information sheet is provided giving details of what will be required.
PECS Training
Parental attendance at the PECS 2-day training workshop is a compulsory part of the condition of your child being accepted into the programme. We have made this stipulation in order to ensure that the progress made by the child can be sustained after the PECS Intensive programme. Places can be reserved on the workshop in your area Should you have attended PECS training within the last 12 months, this part of the criteria can be waived otherwise it is expected that you will still attend as a refresher,
An additional payment will be required to attend the PECS 2-day training .
Attendance at 2 Day Workshop by Supportive Professional
Following the PECS Intensive programme you will need support to continue with the PECS programme, it is therefore essential that you are supported. To enable you to do this we would like you to find someone who is willing and able to take on this role. Suggestions include, Portage worker, Speech and Language therapist, teacher.
The person you nominate needs to attend the PECS 2 day workshop and pay the appropriate fee, if they have not already done so. Details of the training is enclosed
Further details
Zena Barton the PECS Consultant and Supervisor responsible for this programme, will be delighted to discuss any questions you may have: 01273 609555 or zbarton@pecs.org.uk
Fees & Terms
The cost for each child attending will be £1125.00 inc. VAT
The fee includes:-
- An initial assessment to set a baseline for the child.
- A place for one child on the PECS Intensive 5 day programme.
- PECS Intensive programme, as outlined, from 9.00am – 12.00 noon or 1.30 pm – 4.30 pm every day Monday to Friday.
- Practical Parent training during the school based sessions to build on their current skills and develop functional communication for their child.
- A brief PECS development report for each child at the end of the PECS Intensive Programme for you to share with your child’s school and supportive professional. The report will summarise progress made and list appropriate future goals to be worked on.
Payment
Once your child’s place on the PECS Intensive programme has been confirmed, you will be sent an invoice. The Fee will be payable before the start of the PECS Intensive programme.
We accept:
Credit cards, cheques, cash and are able to invoice a third party where an Official Purchase order is supplied.
Cancellations
Should a cancellation be made within 14 days of the expected attendance, full payment will be required unless another child can fill the place.
Funding
At this point Pyramid Educational Trust (PET) has agreed to support the attendance of children to the PECS Intensive programme. The Trust has limited funds so there will be an expectation for every family to provide part of the payment. PET is a registered charity and can provide small grants to families. They are currently attracting funding for this purpose. Should you wish to have help with the finances, it will be necessary for you to make an independent application for this. To contact PET please enclose a letter requesting support with your application, this will then be passed to the Trustees or see their website www.pyramideducationaltrust.org Decisions as to funding can only be made at the Trust meetings held 3 or 4 times per year.
It may be possible for you to apply independently to organisations for part or full funding for your own child/children. It may be beneficial for you to set up a trust fund for your child as it is far easier to attract funds to a trust fund, each parent should take some legal advice about this, as there are many implications to consider.
Accommodation
Special Families Homeswap register: 0044 (0) 1752 347577
www.visitbrighton.com
For Sussex listings:
http://www.visitbrighton.com/home/into_sussex/117.asp
Visitor Information Centre
Bartholomew Square
Brighton
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For those with hearing difficulties, communication via Minicom is possible: 0044 (0)1273 292595 (Please note you will not get through to this number with a normal phone.)
www.visitsussex.org 00 44 (0)1243 382244
For further details and an application form please contact the office.
Telephone: 044 (0) 1273 60955
Email: pyramid@pecs.org.uk
PECS Intensive Programme for Professionals and their students
The main aim of the PECS Intensive programme will be to develop functional communication skills with the students rather than teach to the National Curriculum. A further goal will be to improve staff skills to implement PECS with their students accurately and at a high level and across the day. Also to increase the likelihood that PECS skills gained by the children will be maintained over time by the staff members working with them regularly.
Initial assessments
An initial on site visit will be needed to assess suitability and clarify roles.
These will be carried out in full liaison with staff taking part in the programme. Application details for each child will be required to confirm their current ability and provide a baseline assessment.
Classroom based programme
A Pyramid Consultant will manage the PECS Intensive Programme within the classroom. Class size will be discussed with the Consultant but will not normally exceed 3 students per session i.e 6 children during the week one group in the mornings and another in the afternoons.
The school day will be from 9.00 am until 12.00 noon or 1.00pm. until 4.00pm (Monday to Friday).
Staff
A Consultant from Pyramid will be organising and operating the programme. It may be possible to provide other experienced staff on request.
Staff from an organisation booking a PECS Intensive Programme, who work directly with the students must have attended a PECS 2 ay training within the last 12months and demonstrate a minimum level of skills to the Consultant at the initial assessment visit or be current holders of the PECS Implementers Certification.
There is an expectation that there should be one staff member working with each child to achieve the best results.
Location
The programme can be based at any location with agreement from our Pyramid Consultants
Criteria for student attendance
To be discussed directly with organisation, although there is no strict age limit.
Further details
Zena Barton the PECS Consultant and Supervisor responsible for the PECS Intensive Programmes, will be delighted to discuss any questions you may have in the first instance: 01273 609555 or zbarton@pecs.org.uk
Benefits
- Provides a greater understanding of the Pyramid Approach to Education
- Students and professionals work together under expert guidance
- Students develop functional communication skills
- Practical Professionals training to learn how to implement PECS with their students
- Professionals gain confidence and competence with teaching communication
- Enables professionals to continue to develop skills with future students
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