Meet: Sim Sylvan - The Owl Centre

Autism Spectrum Bilingualism Down's Syndrome Bilingualism Autism Spectrum Attention-related Difficulties (ADD, ADHD)

Early Childhood BA Hons - (2020)
Health & Social Care Level 3 (2016)
BSL Level 2

SALT (NHS) Early years
Due to the current climate of Covid-19 majority of my Speech and language therapy role has consisted virtually. I have carried out parent workshops via zoom, supporting and helping families to understand the best ways to help their child to flourish at home as well as providing support and empathy for parents with children who have received a new diagnosis.
I have developed my knowledge and skills working intensively with special needs children such as Downs Syndrome, AAC, Dysphasia needs.
working closely with parents & understanding on a deeper level the hardships they may have encountered over this challenging time. Also focusing on ways to help families so that as a result the children flourish holistically.
Moreover, whilst working in speech and language therapy within mainstream my focus was to incorporate each student’s unique needs and creating effective lesson plans to accommodate them.
Carrying out joint therapy sessions with SLTs virtually and face to face
Classroom observations on children in early years
My experience within Early years speech therapy includes:
Carrying out face to face Early years screening for children in nursery and reception. Based on the findings I then contacted parents discussing my concerns and offering 1:1/ group therapy interventions.
carrying out parent/ EYP trainings (DLD, colourful semantics, post diagnostic workshops (ASD)
creating resources for children with special needs and behavioral management strategies using communicate in print.
Working to extend our service (more online based) I am currently working on creating content for parents surrounding speech therapy awareness. Helping parents to support their children using colourful posts/ interactive content. E.g., what is communication? How to support your child at home? Myths surrounding bilingualism. Etc.
Speech and Language Therapy Assistant (School based)
Special Education Assistant specialising in SALT versed in working with all learning styles. Regularly attend professional development seminars, faculty meetings, and parent-teacher conferences to remain connected to the needs of children and their parents. practiced at incorporating each student’s unique needs and creating effective lesson plans to accommodate them. Worked closely with SEN children implementing SALT strategies into each classroom to enable children to flourish within a mainstream setting. Held and attended regular parent meetings to offer family support for vulnerable families who may or may not have SEN children. Providing support, advice and guidance to families and signposting them to other agencies for support and services where appropriate. Always making sure that I go above and beyond to help children and their families.
Gather information from teachers, parents, and files to develop action plans.
Implement individualised classroom instruction to meet student needs.
Assist students in developing coping skills and meeting educational milestones.
Provide feedback to parents and students regarding progress
Supervised trips to local parks and surrounding areas.
Worked with an average of 7-8 students per class within our ‘Wonder room’ .
Encouraged students to be understanding of others.
Conducted group and individual activities with students based on differentiated learning needs.
Planning tailored specific work for children on 0 curriculum and P scales
Speech and Language Therapy Assistant
Dedicated Speech Therapy Assistant with a professional presence and an empathetic understanding of patients dealing with communication disorders. Experience less formal school setting dealing with students of all ages primarily early years and key stage. Working with families and children to help children strive to the best of their abilities, enabling self-confidence, speech production and overall support.
Supporting therapists with discharges via Systm1
Carrying out interventions tailored to each child individually mainly SEN/ ASD spectrum children
Discussing new strategies and next steps with therapists
Taking on some of the therapist’s caseload
Sending emails to schools, getting in touch with Sencos
Supporting families with children who have EHP plans
Sending out letters to parents and carers regarding workshops and discharges
Carrying out daily therapy in school settings based on child’s assessment targets
SEN Teaching Assistant
worked with a child on a 1:1 basis, taking part in numeracy and literacy (phonics) interventions ensuring the child is at the heart of the provision enabling them to flourish holistically.
Interventions with children who were on the spectrum of having autism (undiagnosed) early years and reception.
Assisting at lunch times, sitting closely making sure that the child attempts to eat and sits down. Also helping with feeding at lunch times.
Making visual time tables and putting behavioural strategies in place, including quiet time in the scenery room. Supporting the children at distressed times to calm and control situations in and out of the classroom.
Working closely with parents, discussing ways to help the children as well as supporting parents holistically.
Sitting on the floor with the children at input and phonics, allowing them to feel most comfortable and able to engage with other children and within the classroom. Or coming out the classroom to do a similar input but with less children so that the pupils don't become overwhelmed.
Worked on a 1:1 basis with activities that requires the children to hear, see and attempt to say something or repeat what is being said. For example, 'Bucket time' ‘5-minute box’ and attending ‘singing hands’
August 2017- April 2018: : studying at Open University full time
Job title: Nanny
Preparing all meals
Dressing and washing the children
Taking care of the children’s laundry
Local trips to soft play and the park
Reading
playing within the house and garden
setting up activities for the children, such as; painting, playdough and baking etc.
making sure the environment is safe
making sure the household is clean
taking the children to GP appointments
feeding back to parents on children’s wellbeing and daily activities.

I love to bake!

Sim Sylvan

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