Born & Bred in WA
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Discover through play – with and without sound
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hildren in Telethon Speech & Hearing’s Chatterbox playgroup program have had a flying start to the year. Exploring the world of transport, they’ve been on car trips, bus rides and aeroplane adventures! To adults, it might look like these children are just playing around. However, for children, play is the best time for learning about themselves and the world around them. And for children at Chatterbox, discovering the world around them is extra special as they learn to live in a world with their newfound hearing. Following the Early Years Learning Framework, which centres around learning through play, each week Chatterbox runs through a range of engaging and purposeful activities to help children build skills in a number of areas. Activities include tactile experiences at the playdough table, for coordination, problem solving with blocks, pretending and roleplaying in the home corner, and sensory fun with water and messy play outdoors. Songs, rhymes and group-based activities also help teach children how to share and take turns, follow instructions and develop their
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month
PRICELESS
Supporting people with Down syndrome
confidence in a group setting. Telethon Speech & Hearing’s Chatterbox program is run by an early childhood teacher with the support of a speech pathologist, audiologist and occupational therapist. This ensures that the program addresses specific social, communication and listening skills, as well as fine and gross motor skills for children with permanent hearing loss. Children aren’t the only ones who get to play at Chatterbox. Telethon Speech & Hearing provides support to parents and caregivers through family nights and events throughout the year, helping them connect with other families who are on similar journeys. With small group sizes and rooms designed to combat the background noise that’s common in many community playgroups, Chatterbox is the perfect program for children with hearing loss. Telethon Speech & Hearing’s Chatterbox program supports children with hearing loss from birth to five years old. Call 9387 9888 or visit tsh.org.au for more information about mid-year enrolments, or how Telethon Speech & Hearing can help your family through the NDIS.
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own Syndrome WA (DSWA) was formed in 1986 by a small group of parents with a common goal – to support people with Down syndrome in living their best possible lives. Today DSWA serves a state-wide population of over 1300 people with Down syndrome, as well as their families and support networks. In the past year, DSWA have successfully registered as an NDIS service provider, and have significantly expanded their programs and services. DSWA staff can give expert advice to anyone in the process of creating an NDIS plan for someone with Down syndrome. DSWA’s programs and services include: • A telephone support line – offering free advice to families, individuals, organisations and professionals. • Face-to-face support for advice on all issues, including NDIS plan creation. • Private, moderated online support groups for families. • A selection of books and other print resources available for loan.
• Developmental playgroups for young children with Down syndrome run by qualified education and occupational therapy professionals. • Social clubs for high-school-aged children and adults, where members build friendships and learn valuable life and social skills. • Training workshops for education professionals, employers and families. • Individualised employment support for people with Down syndrome – from training to finding and keeping a meaningful, well paid job. Many of these services are available free of charge, or can be included in an NDIS funding plan. For more information, please contact DSWA. Email admin@downsyndromewa.org.au, call 9368 4002 or visit the office at Suite 3, 2 Canning Hwy, South Perth, between 9am and 2.30pm, Monday to Friday. For more information, visit dsawa.asn.au/information/ndis
EXPERIENCE VR AT OCEAN KEYS! Explore a world of fun at the Virtual Reality Zone these school holidays at Ocean Keys! Plus check out an exhibition of classic gaming consoles from Nostalgia Box. Visit oceankeys.net.au for details
11am – 2pm | Monday 8 – Saturday 20 July* Near Rockmans *excludes Sunday 14 July
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