Opening the floodgates!
When the Speak With a Picture programme began in autumn of 2018, we could not have predicted that it would become so successful in such a short space of time. From that very first intake, it was clear that SWAP was going to help a great many pre-school children and their families, and in it's first two years, the project has exceeded 200 referrals. In short, SWAP helps non-verbal children or children with limited communication skills by using an alternative communication system designed to provide individuals with the ability to share their own wants and needs. There can be few things more frustrating for both parents and children than being unable to communicate and the aim of the programme is for children and their families to develop communication skills that can be widely used every day.
One such family was Sean and Lynsey Counihan from Hornchurch, who brought their son Conor along to SWAP in the spring of 2019. Thanks to his enthusiasm for exchanging, combined with the support of his parents, Conor made rapid progress whilst under the wing of our SWAP team and his development has continued in the last 15 months. So much so, that Conor is now speaking, and he’s also started school. Mum Lynsey explained that he’s reacted very positively to the change of environment and is making huge strides at school. She said; “He started school a few weeks ago and it’s going really well. He’s really happy & enjoying himself. He’s got a teaching assistant thanks to his EHCP and he’s thriving there. It’s led to him coming home from school quite tired which wasn’t the case at nursery, even though the school day is shorter, so he is obviously being stimulated, which is all I have ever wanted. It’s early days, but four weeks in and first impressions are brilliant”
Conor in his school uniform
There’s no doubt that Conor has been helped by the love and support of his parents. Although that in itself is not uncommon, Conor’s progress had an unexpected boost when dad Sean was placed on furlough for three months and was able to spend even more time with his son. Despite that, there was a still a slight re-set required when the nursery re-opened, as, in common with other children, Conor had quite enjoyed being at home with plenty of attention from mum and dad at the beginning of the national lockdown. The combination of skills learned at SWAP and his parents’ support was a positive impact on his social skills and understanding. “Going back to nursery after three months was a challenge because he really didn’t want to go back”, explained Lynsey. “I had to explain to him what was happening because he hadn’t done it for three months. Once he went back, he was fine and that helped with the transition to school but we were quite lucky. I saw children at the school gates after the lockdown who were very upset at going back after six months but Conor just walked straight in!”
For all of us at Sycamore, it’s a great thrill to see Conor doing so well. There’s a real connection between our staff and the families they support, and Lynsey was in no doubt in relation to the value of the SWAP programme and the help it has provided for Conor. She said; “Even if he hadn’t started talking, we’d still be using the book, because it would still give us a way to communicate. Without any doubt, SWAP gave us tools to ensure that we were doing something. Instead of just sitting there repeating words, we felt that we were using a tried and tested strategy and for him, he got what he needed because it worked! I’m not saying that every child that does SWAP is going to have an explosion of words, but it is a way of communicating and of getting the ball rolling, and I am always telling people about it!”
When Conor did start to talk, it was almost as if a log jam had shifted and his speech improved rapidly. He’s not at the same level yet as other children his age but considering how he was when he first came to SWAP, his progress has been remarkable. His mum continued; “Conor was still non-verbal when he completed the course but a couple of months later in September, he was still using SWAP and the words started to come out. He began talking and instead of a gradual increase there was like a huge explosion of words. Don’t get me wrong, he is still behind other children of his age and he can still be a little baby-ish in his speech, but his language is maturing and having that time with SWAP to focus on his language was very important.” Lynsey felt that the family approach from her and Sean was paying dividends. She explained; “He got our time, he had our attention, and he had the tools available to not just talk, but to communicate and it spiralled from there. Every now and then, there are still a few words that he doesn’t know, so we refer back to the SWAP book and we try and find what he’s looking for. I’ve also added a few symbols of my own and this helps when we create his visual timetable. It’s a well-loved book!”
Conor pictured recently, summer 2020
Lynsey also felt that the continuing support from the Sycamore SWAP team was invaluable, and that support continued, even after Conor had finished the course. Lynsey said; “Cheryl & Ann Marie set up a Facebook SWAP Parents group, and it was good content, really useful. In addition to these resources, I was reassured that they were always there in the background.” It’s clear that Conor has benefited enormously from having both parents take a huge interest in his development and in the SWAP programme. Even though he is started school and has begun speaking, he still refers to the symbols book and Lynsey is in no doubt that Speak With A Picture has made a huge contribution to Conor’s progress. “As a parent, when you hear other children of a similar age chatting away and your child is non-verbal, you just want to help and SWAP gave us a strategy, with excellent support to put that into practice. Rather than just guessing, you know that PECS® is a tried and trusted system and you know that Sycamore Trust is a charity that helps people with autism and it just makes you feel that you’re doing something to help”, said Lynsey. She concluded; “ There will still be children who will be non-verbal, maybe even permanently, but with SWAP you feel as if you are doing your best to help them talk. However, if not, then you have a way of communicating, which is priceless for a non-verbal child”
Conor, with parents Sean and Lynsey, pictured at SWAP in July 2019
Ann-Marie Lyons-Mummery, who forms part of the SWAP team said; “We are so proud of Conor and all of our children and families who have participated in the SWAP programme. The dedication, support and commitment to the programme that the families show is amazing, which is why the children have all made progress. As a parent of a child who has social and communication difficulties myself, there is no better feeling than being able to communicate with your child effectively and positively - it brings the whole family together.” We are continuing to receive weekly referrals from parents, professionals and pre-schools for children who need our help, and we are doing our upmost to support these children. This evidence proves the need for programmes such as SWAP.
Speak With A Picture is a communication programme that uses the Picture Exchange Communication System ® and is funded by BBC Children in Need. For more information, or to find out how to refer a child to the programme, go to http://www.sycamoretrust.org.uk/our-services/swap
