Milton Keynes Children and Young People's Occupational Therapy

Paralympic Flag Making with Buckinghamshire Archives

Saturday 31 August, between 11:30am and12:30pm at the Central Library, 555 Silbury Boulevard, MK9 3HL

FREE creative workshop to design your own version of the Paralympic flag

For ages 3-12

Book online: www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/library-events

If your child has any additional needs you’d like organisers to know about, please email [email protected] as we hope to make the experience fun for everyone.

Note: Parents and carers must remain in the library throughout the sessions.


Milton Keynes Libraries

There are many factors that can contribute to a slouched posture during desk work, which can also impact attention and focus during learning:

🪑 Core weakness
🪑 Desk or chair size
🪑 Visual motor skills
🪑 Sensory needs
🪑 Retained primitive reflexes
🪑 And more!

When posture is off, it can be harder for kids to stay focused and attentive, which directly affects their learning experience. Understanding the root causes can help us support better posture...and better focus!
📚Here, we're talking all about these areas...and what it means for writing and learning: https://www.theottoolbox.com/chair-posture-while-writing-slouched-handwriting/

✨And, for specific exercises and activities to target sitting posture, check out: https://www.theottoolbox.com/posture-exercises-for-kids/

A reminder over the summer holidays if you need any help or support with your child’s EHCP / SEND difficulties etc Milton Keynes SEND IAS team wishes you a wonderful summer break, filled with moments of joy, relaxation, and cherished memories spent with loved ones.

Enjoy well deserved rest and sunshine (hopefully).

Milton Keynes SEND IAS service is operating as usual. You can reach us by
🟡 Email at [email protected] or
🟡 Leave a message on our advice line 01908 254518 or
🟡 By completing online referral form https://mksendias.org.uk/referral

On our website you can find SEND related information, advice and support including factsheets and template letters. https://mksendias.org.uk/

Willen Lake Splash n Play Sessions

SEN Sessions
Dedicated SEN sessions are suited to the needs of children who would benefit from a less crowded environment. Please note these sessions offer no extra support from staff, and parents/carers are required to accompany children at all times.

For more information and booking https://bookings.willenlake.org.uk/book/splash-n-play/sen-sessions/66?_ga=2.10728759.2055371473.1718716765-1433531996.1709806388

𝐵𝑦 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑤𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑟 𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑠. 𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠/ 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦. 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑐𝑡 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑙𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛.

Calling all young people aged 13 - 17! We have scheduled a new Headstart Art 12 week programme starting in September at an arts venue in Newport Pagnell.
The sessions are free of any cost and all materials are provided. During the workshop there will be refreshments provided.
The professional artist running the programme is Susan Erskine-Jones; she will be assisted by a volunteer. Some of the techniques we will be exploring are: glass painting, wire art, concertina books, acrylic painting, collage mini-cards, mono-printing; and pen and ink.
The course will begin on Tuesday 10th September. There will be a break on 29th October for Half Term. The course will finish on 3rd December. It will be held from 5pm – 6.30pm in Newport Pagnell.
To book please send an email to [email protected]. A completed referral form is required to enrol onto the course. Places will be offered on a first come, first served basis. There are twelve places available.

From September 2024, 15 hours of childcare support will be extended to eligible working parents with a child from age 9-months-old.

Applications are now open.

More information https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2024/07/26/how-to-claim-15-hours-free-childcare-code/

Parental responsibility & mental capacity beyond 16 | Contact On this page, we talk about parental responsibility, mental capacity and making decisions with your child as they get older.

👉🌤We are sharing this again for you as there are a few spaces left on this trip !!!!
GO GO GO !!! A fab opportunity and the weather looks like it's going to be great too ! go check this out !!!!! 👇

🟠Our friends over at little miracles have asked us to share this upcoming trip to Thomley with you.

Do click the booking link below for all the details and get in touch with Little miracles Milton Keynes directly if you have any questions.

Little Miracles have lots of things happening over the summer. join their Facebook group (which a rep will link in the comments for you) and go to the events tab and search through to see all the events happening this summer.

Welcome to Thomley!
Date: Wed Aug 14 2024
Time: 09:00 AM
Location: Menmarsh Road
Come join us for a day of fun and excitement at Thomley! Get ready for a day filled with activities, games, and laughter. Whether you're a kid or a kid at heart, there's something for everyone at this event. Don't miss out on the chance to make new friends and create lasting memories. See you there!

Activities include soft play, outdoor sandcastle building, bikes, music room, construction room, teenage den & imagination room.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/thomley-tickets-939404864237

iPad Apps for Learners with Complex Additional Support Needs

The 'Wheel of Apps' poster is not comprehensive, but it attempts to identify relevant, useful apps and categorise them into the areas where an iPad can be a useful learning tool.

The wheel features a mix of apps, some of which will be useful for Primary aged learners, some for Secondary aged learners and some with both.

CALL Scotland and The University of Edinburgh have researched and produced this useful resource.

For more information: https://ow.ly/7IIF50SvlcZ

Relaxed Screening: Despicable Me 4 (U) - MK Gallery Relaxed Screenings have sensory-friendly adjustments which aim to reduce over-stimulation and create a relaxed and welcoming environment for those who might need it.

Zone Inn - Drop in session for Young People

Saturdays, 10am - 12pm at the Greenleys Family Time Centre, Ardwell Lane, Greenleys, MK12 6AU

Relate MK are offering a drop-in wellbeing service for Young People aged 8 - 18 yrs.

See attached poster for details.

For more details call 01908 310010 or email [email protected]

Did you know that proprioception can significantly enhance attention, focus, and other executive functioning skills? Proprioceptive activities, like the options in the image, provide deep pressure input that helps regulate the nervous system. https://www.theottoolbox.com/proprioception-sensory-activities/

Heavy work input through the proprioceptive system can be calming and organizing, making it easier for individuals to concentrate and stay on task. Engaging in these exercises can improve body awareness, which is crucial for planning and executing movements effectively. https://www.theottoolbox.com/proprioception-activities-improves-body-awareness/

By integrating proprioceptive activities into daily routines, individuals can experience better self-regulation, reduced stress, and enhanced cognitive functions, leading to improved performance in academic and everyday tasks.

💚Image lists proprioception ideas: Wall push ups, hand squeezes, jumping jacks, animal walks, chair push ups, obstacle courses, deep breathing, weighted blankets, resistance tunnel, weighted ball use, therapy band exercises, burrito roll in in a blanket, stomping, planks, joint compression, therapy ball activities, massage, crab walks, bear walks, wheelbarrow walking with hands on tape lines to keep it slow and controlled, body sock, yoga, push ups, chair dips, squish between couch cushions...

Add humming to your list of coping tools! https://www.theottoolbox.com/sensory-coping-strategies-for-kids/

Bridgit Care, funded by Milton Keynes City Council, have partnered with Carers MK to provide a new, online support tool for unpaid carers in Milton Keynes. It provides carers with information to help in your caring role, health and wellbeing advice, signposting to other local services, round-the-clock access to WhatsApp coaching, a Virtual Carers Card and a comprehensive platform for emergency planning. To access the online support tool, visit: bridgit.care/support/mk?t=ca

Ambitious about Autism have created a series of short films as a valuable resource for anyone who needs advice on behaviours of distress within the family.

Watch animated films to help you manage conflict in family situations. These short films will help you to identify emotional or behavioural challenges and equip you with tools and techniques to manage them.

While they are designed to primarily offer support and reassurance to parents and carers of autistic children and young people, they’re a valuable resource for any parent or carer https://bit.ly/3uNsXaF

💗💗

Image:: A Homemade Education

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻'𝘀 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆

Now open 7 days a week, 4pm - 10pm

Address: CAMHS Eaglestone Health Centre, Standing Way, Milton Keynes, MK6 5AZ
Sanctuaries are safe, non-judgemental drop-in’s for 14-17 year olds. You don't need an appointment or a referral, simply turn up and you will be met by a Trained Youth Mental Health worker who will listen and help you identify ways to address the problems you are facing.
Young people can still attend even if they are currently receiving support from CAMHs, or are on their waiting list
For more information https://www.mind-blmk.org.uk/.../young-persons-sanctuary...
Or email the team at [email protected]

Broughton Fire Station are holding an OPEN DAY On the 10th August between 10am to 4pm with a specific SEND only supported hour from 10am to 11am for those of our families who may need a quieter enviroment. The fire station will be quieter and a more peaceful environment for this hour.

For the SEND HOUR 10am-11am (families are welcome to stay then for the whole day if they wish. )
We will have the following activities available:

Police car (no sirens or lights)

Various fire appliances (no sirens or lights)

Coconut shy

Football dartboard

Bouncy castle

Foam safe axe throwing

Various stalls

Cakes

Refreshments

Photo booth......and a raffle.

Link to full event here;
https://www.facebook.com/share/rsG5riv725NEFjdX/?mibextid=9l3rBW

https://www.familyfund.org.uk/?utm_source=digital&utm_medium=magazine&utm_campaign=kidz_to_adultz =X8asQkiEtVHuKVECF1NvLgrsM-uJHry88X-BalJbhGY

Family Fund Family Fund deliver grants for families raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young people on a low income across the UK

Vestibular input can calm or excite. Vestibular sensory input can be alerting or calming to our nervous systems, allowing us to learn, interact with others, and go through our day. Here, we’re unpacking everything you need to know about vestibular processing and the vestibular system. Let’s move! https://www.theottoolbox.com/vestibular-activities/

This type of movement is a powerful tool in therapy and at home.

💞💞💞

Contact - For families with disabled children shared this useful post about :

Planning for your disabled child’s transition to adulthood is always a good idea, even if they don’t use social services or have an Education, Health and Care plan.

A transition plan can help them to think about what a happy adult life would look like. And it will help in discussions with others involved in making decisions about their support.

Below are some questions to consider when making a plan — but you’ll find more advice, plan templates and toolkits on our website here 👉 contact.org.uk/transition-planning

Remember that your child’s views and wishes should be the starting point, even if you disagree or they seem unrealistic.

If your child has severe needs, they may not be able to say what they want in the future — but you’ll know about their likes and dislikes and how they communicate with those around them.

And make sure to be flexible! Ideas change, new opportunities arise, and sometimes things just don’t work out. You can revise your plan as often as needed to ensure it’s up to date.

For more adulthood advice, visit 👉 contact.org.uk/adulthood

Please join our Webinar for Young People with Stephen Ortega and Sophie Scanlan

Follow these links to Register

Aged 11-15
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Aged 16-24
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🌟 Did You Know? 🌟

At Helen & Douglas House, we offer Sibling Support Groups to help brothers and sisters of children with terminal or life-shortening illnesses. Many siblings feel alone and are unable to talk to their friends about how they are feeling.

Our Sibling Support Groups provide a safe and understanding space where siblings can talk about what they’re going through with people who understand. This support helps to reduce feelings of isolation and makes them feel less alone.

In 2023/2024, our Sibling Support Team:
🧡 Received 55 new referrals for Sibling Support
🧡 Supported over 50 children and young people in group support
🧡 Provided 1:1 support to over 40 young people

Your donations allow us to continue supporting the siblings of children who come to Helen & Douglas House and make a positive difference where it matters most. 🧡

Hand strengthening activities: https://www.theottoolbox.com/hand-strengthening-activities/

Places to eat free or with great discounts over the Summer holidays . Do add into the chat any more suggestions for deals to help other families .

IKEA Harvester YO! Sushi Prezzo Dunelm Premier Inn Travelodge Brewers Fayre Bella Italia Bill's TGI Fridays Asda Sainsbury'sTesco Morrisons

Tomorrow is the family team's last daytime in-person drop-in session for the summer holidays. However, you are still welcome to attend our evening in-person drop-in session on Monday 19th August 7pm-9pm. We also have our online drop-in on Monday mornings and Wednesday evenings; please check dates and log in through our website: https://adhdandautism.org/services/parent-carer-young-people/. Drop-in will be returning on Friday 6th September.

Pencil grip begins long before picking up a pencil! Here is what you should know about the development of grasp: https://www.theottoolbox.com/pencil-grasp-development/