Family and carers

If you’re the parent, grandparent or carer of a child with special educational needs (SEN), what worked for me and my granddaughter could work for you too.

That’s why I created these books. They’re a simple, easy-to-use way to quickly increase your child’s communication skills in a comfortable home environment.

Backed by the professionals

When you want to do the best for a special child, it’s good to know the professionals are behind you. That’s why we’ve worked closely with NHS Speech and Language Therapists and incorporated their recommendations into a learning aid they love – and that you can buy with confidence today.

Effective, different and stimulating

You’ll find these books effective, different and stimulating. From working with Siena, I’ve developed a new design for a standalone one-to-one teaching aid. It features a tent-like back cover that’s extendable to act as a stand for the pages of the book as you turn them over on a spiral binding. It couldn’t be easier, which leaves you free to enjoy interacting with your child.

Four proven communication aids

Each book combines four proven teaching and communication aids:

• The word
• A full-colour photograph
• A symbol
• A sign and a description of how to do the sign

Add your voice and actions as you say the word and demonstrate the sign and your child will simultaneously experience each animal or object in five different ways. From cuddly sheep to delicious ice creams, it’s a fun way to improve communication skills and sign language confidence.

Perfect during functional activities too

Of course, at some point, most children find it difficult to sit for long. Fortunately, it’s easy to use our books during functional activities or when choosing snacks or drinks – at home or on days out. Your child can hear the animal or object’s name and see the word alongside a photograph, symbol and sign. It’s a great way to give your child extra support alongside the spoken word – and priceless for facilitating learning and understanding of new vocabulary.

Bring your child closer to family and friends

Based on helping Siena, I’ve designed these word books to give you, your family members and your child’s carers a new communication aid for use at home or outside. Learning’s part of the school curriculum, but you can successfully support it with extra short learning-periods at home using fully-approved aids such as our books.

Follow these simple steps for maximum benefit:

1. Find a quiet spot.
2. Sit the child being taught on one side of a table with YOU facing them across the table.
3. Put the book in the middle of the table with the photo pages facing the child.
4. Work through the book, at a rate of maybe five pages per session, by turning the pages over.
   As you reveal each page, the child sees a photo, symbol and word for the animal or object being shown. Facing them across the table, YOU can see the corresponding sign and word. As YOU slowly, clearly, speak the word and simultaneously act out the sign, the child hears the spoken word and sees the sign, symbol, photograph and written word for the animal or object. This extra support helps the child develop a better understanding of, and means of expressing, each word.
5. For best results, repeat regularly.