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Young boy pointing at PODD book pic that's held by female Indigo staff

In 2020 two of our Speech Pathologists travelled to O’Connor Education Support Centre in the West Australian Goldfields and presented our AAC in the Classroom workshop to Teachers and Education Assistants. O’Connor invited us back to deliver a version of our Schools service in Term 1 of 2021 which included both in person visits and regular online catch ups. 

While all this was happening, we were thrilled to be awarded a Telethon Trust Grant for our 'Country Kids Communicate' project. The aim of the project was to develop a model of school-based services to support and enhance student communication and participation in the classroom that would work within regional areas. In regional areas of Western Australia there is often a gap in what is needed, and what local allied health professionals are able to provide. 

Young boy pointing at PODD book pic that's held by female Indigo staff

Inspired by the passion and dedication of the education staff, we decided to continue our partnership with O’Connor Education Support Centre to implement the project, and throughout the last three terms have been continuing to implement a blended service model that has included site visits and telehealth delivery. Thanks to the generous Telethon Trust Grant, at least one of our experienced Speech Pathologists have been able to visit twice a term to provide in person in-class demonstrations, training, coaching, consultation, and regular goal setting to develop skills in supporting student communication and participation. 

Trish, an OESC Teacher said: “The check backs have been helpful to not feel like we've been dropped with something to figure out on our own. When you're sitting in a [Professional Development] session, you get inspired, and then you come to the next one and it is like, what happened to all those things we were inspired to do?"

We have seen so much positive change in both the education staff and the students at O’Connor. During this final term of the year, we will be working hard to consolidate data and what we have learned to not only share with others, but to make it easier to deliver this kind of service in the future. 

 

Female Indigo schools team member working with a student in the classroom
Female Indigo schools team member using AAC with a student in the playground
Education assistant and student using a PODD book in the classroom

 

Read all the latest news on the 'Country Kids Communicate' Project

Indigo runs regular projects in Perth metropolitan schools supporting children and young people with a disability and complex communication needs to use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).

For more information about how we may be able to work with your school or students, please contact our Schools Team on: (08) 9381 0600 or email: schools@indigosolutions.org.au

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