Communication Groups
Research has shown us that people with Down’s syndrome have a specific learning profile where certain strengths and weaknesses are common. Little is known about this in education settings, where it is still treated as a ‘global’ delay: this simply isn’t true. Our children often have real strengths in areas such as visual and kinaesthetic learning, where they are comparatively much stronger than in skills such as auditory learning. This is particularly clear, for example, in reading where there is now strong evidence that if a Down's syndrome-specific approach is taken, many children can enter school with a reading age very similar to their peers. In fact, many of our children can actually read long before they have developed speech. The difficulties with expressive language mean they are so often underestimated and not given the tools to show what they can do in ways that are appropriate to them.
This is why we also work in partnership with education settings: our young people can thrive with the correct support, and we provide this wherever it is needed.
Becoming an included member of the community as young people start to head toward adulthood requires a certain level of social understanding, appropriate behaviour, and communication. These skills need to be taught and supported from the early years and repeated and reinforced as children head through their teen years.
Our sessions provide young people with the skills to build long-lasting relationships, find friendships, and learn the skills they need to keep themselves safe. Currently, society is struggling with the epidemic of young people not forming real connections and relationships: imagine the challenges young people with Down’s syndrome face, and how difficult it is to find the connection they crave.
Our Communication Groups
All of our Star Groups are held in both our Maidstone and Margate Centres.
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Little Stars
For babies aged 0-2 years olds. These groups aim to teach key skills such as; Makaton signing, interaction techniques, early physical skills and emotional support, as well as a chance to socialise with other parents/carers.
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Rising Stars
For pre-schoolers aged 2 – 4 years running weekly during term-time these 1-hour sessions utilise syndrome-specific approaches to learning; covering literacy, numeracy, self-help, and social-emotional skills. Resources are also provided to parents to continue learning opportunities at home.
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Shooting Stars
Targeting children in their first years of school (aged 4 - 7 years old), this group supports language development, social communication, and behaviour. Promoting expectations of our children and supporting schools with inclusion.
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Super Stars
For children aged 7 – 11 years old these small groups focus on speech and language and social communication, yet we also provide additional support for children and young people to build self-awareness, awareness of others and socially appropriate behaviour. Each term is topic-based and allows our children to explore areas such as relationships, community, time, and language for identity and transitions in a fun and inclusive environment.
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S-Club
Following the Star Groups for younger children, the S-Club is aimed at 11 - 18 year olds and is split into three sessions; smiLE, skills and social. The young people will follow a block programme of smiLE therapy, a social time to connect with others and skills sessions focusing on communication, relationships, community and identity.
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S-Club+
For our young adults aged 19 - 25, S-Club+ is designed to better meet their needs to create a more engaging and age-appropriate experience, involving monthly evening social sessions supported by our staff and three-days of intensive smILE therapy sessions during school half-term breaks. These will focus on independent living skills, supporting our young adults to make appropriate and safe choices in adulthood and to advocate for themselves.
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Speech Club
These are intensive three-day sessions during the Easter and Summer holidays. They support children and young people with Down’s syndrome aged from 4-11 years old, led by Symbol Connect UK therapists with 21 Together staff and volunteers. These sessions provide the children with a more intensive environment to work on speech, social skills, friendships, appropriate behaviour, and social interaction.
