Brainwave: Supporting children with disabilities for over forty years

2022 is a special year for children's charity Brainwave as they're celebrating their 40th anniversary and are sharing wonderful memories with families who have been or are currently on a Brainwave programme.

Brainwave has been helping children with disabilities achieve greater independence for over 40 years by aiming to improve their mobility, communication skills and learning potential through specialist therapies. The children that Brainwave work with have a range of conditions including: autism, cerebral palsy and genetic disorders such as Down syndrome. Their therapists, who are drawn from the mainstream fields of physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and learning and development, work with the family to devise a unique Therapy Programme, specifically designed to suit their child’s needs, which will help and encourage them to unlock their child’s potential.

Mum of two, Sarah from the Vale of Glamorgan, told us about her family’s journey with Brainwave:

Sarah has been a part of Brainwave’s family for over 11 years and still remembers the very first phone call she made to Ann at Brainwave when she asked for support for her two children who were diagnosed with autism.

Sarah said: “It felt like a 10 tonne weight had been lifted off my shoulders when I first spoke to Brainwave as I no longer felt alone. I know there’s no cure for autism but to know that Brainwave was there to offer me help and advice every step of the way was incredible. I’m forever grateful for all that they have done to support my son Owain, my daughter Erin and us all as a family.”

“Through the love, dedication, patience and genuine passion they have, my children have thrived and bloomed in school, as a family and in the outside world. We’ve got so many amazing memories, from Owain stealing the therapist Hannah’s jumper and walking round all day shouting “balloons” when he was virtually non verbal. Owain going from our little “limpet” in the pool to swimming freely, with confidence and Erin finding her independence and being able to regulate her emotions.”

Since 1982, Brainwave (who have their headquarters in Bridgwater, Somerset) has delivered over 13,000 assessments to children with have a range of conditions including autism, cerebal palsy, sensory processing and Downs syndrome nationwide. They have delivered over 95,000 hours of therapy and loaned out 26,000 pieces of equipment for children to use whilst carrying out their individualised programme at home including therapy wedges, peanut balls and communication development aids.

If you can’t be at the exhibition in July, but would like to find out more, please get in touch at www.brainwave.org.uk

WELCOME!

Kidz to Adultz is delighted to welcome childrens charity Brainwave to this year’s Wales and West exhibition and we encourage all visitors to head over to their stand J4 and have a chat with the team about their fantastic work.

They are particularly keen to meet families seeking support for their children to discuss how they might be able to help.