Great feedback on ‘Talkability’
Autism programme is a huge help
A special support programme for youngsters living with autism has been introduced by NHS Lanarkshire.
Talkability helps children who have challenges with social interaction and can help parents support the improvement of their young one’s ‘people skills’.
Mum and dads have praised the sessions, with Talkability giving parents the tools to help their children with social interaction or combat communication disorder, who may also have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.
Parents from across the region took part in the recent course at Airdrie Community Health Centre and expressed their delight at how helpful the programme had been.
Adrian O’ Reilly, from Chapelhall, said he had seen “rapid improvement” in his 10-year-old son, Cameron, who has ASD.
Adrian explained: “Talkability was something that appealed to me as soon as I heard about it.
“I hadn’t been to anything like this before.
“Cameron has made a lot of progress through Talkability.
“I have learned an infinite amount about how to deal with his social challenges, the ways to improve my interaction with him and how to develop his conversational skills.”
Rhona Williamson, NHS Lanarkshire speech and language therapy (SLT) clinic coordinator for children and young people, said: “Talkability is being used across NHS Lanarkshire by the SLT department.
“It enables children to develop their ‘people skills’ by providing the parents with strategies they can use in everyday situations.
“Topics covered include ‘get ready for conversations’, ‘help your child tune in to others’, ‘help your child become a story-teller’ and ‘be your child’s play coach’.
“Parents work with SLT staff to set individual goals for their child that they will feel comfortable with and able to use day to day.”
CAPTION - Happy faces Delighted parents with NHS Lanarkshire’s Rhona Williamson (centre)