Special Needs Education Programme (SNEP) was started by giving small grants to small projects, which were mainly about basic facilities such as computers, bookshelves, hot water machine, etc., of organisations that worked with children with disabilities. Over the years, we have intentionally shifted our support towards enhancing professional knowledge and know-how of teachers/caregivers of children with disabilities through in-depth training projects. We believe that this developmental approach will allow both teachers and children with disabilities access to appropriate education methods and that it will bring sustainably positive impact on children’s life in the long run.
Saigonchildren would not have been able to bring high-standard quality training without tremendous technical support of professionals in the field of disabilities, particularly in the field of early intervention for children with autism. Since 2016, we have been delightful to receive pro-bono technical support from Ms. Marianne Simpson – an English retired special education teacher and Ms. Nicola Lathey – a top Speech and Language Therapist and Head of The OWL Therapy Centre – a UK-based group of private multi-disciplinary clinics for children aged 0 – 18 years old. As our highly committed consultants, they have played an extremely important role in ensuring the success of our highlighted three-year project on Early Intervention for Children with Autism – an Advanced Training Course for core teachers, which has been conducted from 2017 to 2019.
Nicola and Marianne are discussing with the trainers
During the implementation of this three-year project, our consultants have provided professional consultation and advice to ensure that the training content meets the expected objectives; have seeked qualified experts with appropriate knowledge and skills to volunteer and deliver the training; have shared their experience of living and working in Vietnam related to cultural differences, food, dress and attitudes towards disability to prepare the trainers for the training; have followed closely during the training course; have responded to trainees and trainers’ feedback, etc. All these have contributed to the remarkable success of our training project for Vietnamese practitioners.
They share experience and joyful moments together
In addition to their wonderful work, the OWL Therapy Centre is willing to award OWL’s Champion Certificates to trainees who fully meet the OWL’s Centre requirements of ten golden rules when the project is finished. Their names will be on the OWL’s website as certified trainers on early intervention for children with autism.
Indeed, their commitment is crucial and invaluable to our SNEP work in particular and to Vietnamese practitioners and children with autism in Vietnam in general. We are very happy to continue our cooperation for the best development of SNEP and also for the best development of children with autism in Vietnam.
The trainers received certificates of recognition from Saigonchildren
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About OWL Therapy Centre
The Owl Centre is a group of private multi-disciplinary clinics for children aged 0 – 18 years old. It is headed by top Speech and Language Therapist Nicola Lathey, author of the prize-winning and bestselling book, Small Talk. The Owl Centre is not an agency. It is a team of multidisciplinary therapists who work closely together and pool their expertise, thereby providing clients with the best possible therapy (a case of many brains being better than one). See more information about OWL Therapy Centre here www.theowltherapycentre.co.uk