Lámh-a-Song Nursery Rhyme DVD using Lámh signs is officially launched by Lámh and Down Syndrome Ireland

Lámh, the manual sign system used by children and adults with intellectual disability and communication needs, have joined with Down Syndrome Ireland in producing a new nursery rhyme DVD. The Lámh-a-Song DVD gives young users the chance to see Lámh signs on the TV screen for the first time, with each of the 15 popular songs on the DVD  presented through vivid animation and a rich soundtrack that appeals to younger viewers. Lámh which was developed in the early 1980s and has a vocabulary of 500 signs, is used in Ireland by children and adults with Down syndrome, as well as those with intellectual disability, physical disability and autism. The DVD costs €15 plus €1.50 post and packing. See www.lamh.org for more details.

 Gemma Clerkin, Lámh Board member, notes that ‘the Lámh-a Song DVD will be of most benefit when used as a shared activity with the child.  It is also a great reference source for the child’s communication partner to use the songs and signs in face-to-face interactions’. 

 Deputy Finian McGrath T.D (Ind) who is a parent of a daughter with Down syndrome and a former Chairperson of the Dublin branch of Down Syndrome Ireland, warmly welcomed the launch of the DVD as a major educational tool for children with a disability.  “It’s great for children, adults and families, and a major communication support”, said the North Central TD. 

 Speaking at the launch, Gráinne Murphy of the Down Syndrome Ireland National Resource Team, said that: “The Lamh-a-Song DVD is highly recommendable and an invaluable resource for both families and professionals. The use of signs in promoting and maintaining communication development in individuals with Down syndrome is firmly grounded in research”.

 The project was kindly supported by Bank of Scotland, Ireland.  Lámh is grant aided by the Health Service Executive. 

Tuesday 13th October 2009

For more information, please contact:

Mary Cullen, Lámh Development and Liaison Officer

Ph. 059-9139657

Email:  info@lamh.org 

www.lamh.org

 

 

10 ways to ….Develop your Child’s Concentration

Some tips from the parenting website rollercoaster: http://www.rollercoaster.ie/education/concentration_10tips_prim.asp

Alexander Technique Family Open Day at Unitarian Church, Princes St, Cork Sunday 11th October

Alexander Technique Awareness Week runs from the 9th to the 18th of October to raise awareness of the technique internationally. The Irish Society of Alexander Technique Teachers is organising events across Ireland to coincide with this week.

 Amongst the events happening around Ireland, Cork Alexander Technique (AT) Teachers will host a Family Open Day at the Unitarian Church, Princes Street, Cork on the Sunday 11th of October from 2pm to 5pm. AT Teachers will offer free treatments on the day and free family entertainment will be available. There is a special prize for the child in the best skeleton costume. A café market will be providing snacks and light refreshments and people will have the opportunity to avail of reduced price treatments when they attend on Sunday.

 Significant long-term benefit from Alexander Technique lessons for low back pain has been demonstrated by a major study published by the British Medical Journal on 20th August 2008.

 The Alexander Technique can also help you if:

• You suffer from repetitive strain injury or carpal tunnel syndrome.
• You have a backache or stiff neck and shoulders.
• You become uncomfortable when sitting at your computer for long periods of time.
• You are a singer, musician, actor, dancer or athlete and feel you are not performing at your full potential.

 

Actors, musicians, sportsmen use the technique to improve their performance, help them with stress and nerves and look after their posture.  “The Alexander Technique helped a long-standing back problem and to get a good night’s sleep after many years of tossing and turning,” said Paul Newman, actor.

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 Information forwarded from: Rosemary Moone

Teacher of the Alexander Technique

 t 021 4311411      e rosemary.moone@upcmail.ie

w www.isatt.ie

“When your child is lost for words”

An article on selective mutism in the Health Supplement, Irish Times, Tuesday  15th Sept. To access the full article, go to:  http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/health/2009/0915/1224254536893.html