Communication Support
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Many people with Down’s syndrome will experience some level of language and speech difficulties. We know that communication is a vital skill for life which is why we offer a programme of communication support which is geared towards the specific learning profile of people with Down’s syndrome.
You can find out more these programmes and activities below.
Achieving Better Communication (ABC) Programme
What is ABC?
Our Achieving Better Communication (ABC) programme is a Down’s Syndrome Scotland member-only subscription programme, delivering communication support to babies, children and adults with Down’s syndrome. ABC sessions run weekly during term time, online, comprising tutor-led, peer communication activities to help participants develop communication skills that can be continued in the home, community, and nursery/school environment. Depending on age and stage, sessions should be supported by an adult communication partner at home/ school who will also be upskilled in Down’s syndrome specific communication techniques.
The ABC programme uses research findings on the specific learning style and language development profile of children with Down’s syndrome to develop targeted communication support. Our sessions are very focused on using visual communication tools to teach children and their adult helper strategies which support sequencing, recall and peer communication skills such as turn-taking, waiting and active listening. All of our sessions are tailored to the age/stage of the particular attendees, and ABC groups are made up of those with similar communication preferences and styles. All our tutors use Makaton to support communication in sessions.
The cost of ABC is currently subsidised and costs £7.50 per month, reduced from the original fee of £15 while the cost-of-living crisis is ongoing. We offer a FREE month’s trial where space allows. You can withdraw from the programme at any time. We also offer a School’s membership package for Down’s Syndrome Scotland member schools and nurseries for details of this please email abc@dsscotland.org.uk.
Overview of the Programme
Groups will normally consist of 2 – 4 children, young people or adults and the sessions vary in length depending on the size of the group from 30 minutes up to 1 hour. A parent/carer or education support attends with each child and joins the group activities; this ensures that the techniques and approach can be transferred to home and nursery/school so that the child/young person/adult’s communication development can be consistently supported in all settings.
You can watch a clip of one of our ABC First Steps sessions below.
You can find out more about all the aspects of our ABC programme in our ABC Leaflet below.
ABC Programme
9 April 2024
A booklet about our Achieving Better Communication Programme.
Register Your Interest & Contact Us
If you are intrested in joining our ABC programme please fill out this form and our team will be in touch.
If you would prefer to speak to someone directly you can contact us on 0300 030 2121 or email abc@dsscotland.org.uk.
Face to Face ABC Sessions
In addition to our weekly online sessions, we run monthly face-to-face sessions in either Glasgow or Seafield, West Lothian. We are currently running;
- ABC First Steps sessions for 0-3yrs
- Songs, Stories and Sign sessions for 3-6yrs
- ABC Next Steps sessions for 18+
These sessions are free to those who subscribe to our ABC Programme. If you do not currently subscribe to our ABC Programme theses sessions cost £5 per session. You can view upcoming sessions and book these sessions here
Makaton Sessions & Activities
In addition to our ABC programme, we have developed interactive Makaton sessions and groups to support families and individuals with Down’s syndrome in their use of Makaton.
We also provide Makaton training to education professionals and volunteers working with individuals with Down’s syndrome. You can find out more about the Makaton training we offer here.
What is Makaton?
Makaton is a unique language programme that uses symbols, signs and speech to enable people to communicate. It supports the development of essential communication skills such as attention and listening, comprehension, memory, recall and organisation of language and expression.
With Makaton, signs are used, with speech, in spoken word order. This helps provide extra clues about what someone is saying. Using signs can help people who have no speech or whose speech is unclear. Using symbols can help people who have limited speech and those who cannot, or prefer not to sign.
Makaton For Babies
Our Makaton Signing for Babies is a free 6-week block of sessions for parents and babies. Sessions incorporate communication exercises and songs with the teaching of Makaton signs.
On signing up, each family is gifted a bag of hand-made nursery rhyme finger puppets and the Makaton for Babies pocketbook to use with their child on this first step of their communication journey.
You can find out more about upcoming sessions and book your place here.
Choir 21 & Choir 21 +
Choir 21 is a free weekly Makaton sing and sign session for children aged 12+, teens and adults.
We also run Choir 21 + for adults with Down’s syndrome aged 18+.
Both groups sing along to their choice of songs, a mixture of pop and songs from musicals and stage shows. This is a great way of promoting literacy, communication and social interaction while having fun with friends.
You can find out more about these groups here.
