Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Mum ready to be hands-on and help other parents
A DUNDEE mum is to launch specialist sign language training classes to help disabled children like her own communicate better.
Leanne Howie, 37, was inspired to become a tutor by her five-year-old daughter, Robyn. She was born with a complex genetic condition and found communication challenging.
After years of frustration in her search to find affordable training courses, Leanne launched a fundraising bid to allow her to become a licensed tutor.
She will teach the Makaton communication method, a slight variation of standard British Sign Language.
It is more suited to children with learning and communication difficulties and features in the CBeebies show Something Special, starring Mr Tumble.
Although the courses will be paid for, Leanne said she is not interested in making a profit and simply wants to help parents in a similar situation to herself.
She said: “No one can truly understand the joy of a child’s first sign the way another parent can. The whole idea is just to help other parents and their children. There is a real lack of affordable high-quality courses here.”
She added: “It has taken me 18 months to get through the course but it has been so worth it. I can’t wait to get started now. It’s really exciting.”
To find out more visit lehands.com.