Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD)
Wilson Stuart PMLD department prides itself on delivering a developmental curriculum which is flexible and adaptive to suit the individual needs of the children. The curriculum is an informal approach to learning which is driven by the pupils PLGS throughout all subjects, ensuring that the pupils have focused learning opportunities in all areas of school life.
Driving the curriculum is communication and cognition (all pupils learning to think and learn). Curriculum areas support the context of the learning while being driven by basic skills and PLGS Currently, the curriculum is structured under four headings which are:
Communication:
Offering our students an opportunity to be able to express themselves in their own unique way. Ensuring students’ needs are met to develop positive relationships with peers alike. Many techniques and strategies are used which are appropriate to the stage of communication the student is working at.
Physical
The physical curriculum ensures that we provide opportunities for our students to explore their world around them and gain different perspectives. To increase independence to whatever level that is. Working closely with the physiotherapy department to ensure individualised programmes are delivered which includes postural management, stretches and increased range of movement. Within the curriculum both fine and gross motor skills are focused on. Also enjoying therapy sessions such as Rebound Therapy, hydrotherapy and Sherborne body movement.
Cognition
Throughout the curriculum we offer opportunities to develop and enhance early problem solving skills. Maximising the developments of students to recall, retain and build on prior learning. We encourage students to consolidate existing skills and develop new skills, broadening their use of technology.
Self help and Independence skills
Self Help and Independence allows pupils to develop the everyday skills that can be transferred between the home and school environment. Students are given a range of opportunities to practice routines which are individual to them.
Assessment within PMLD
Assessment of student’s progress is measured using Routes 4 Learning and the seven indicators of Engagement.
For pupils working at the very earliest levels of development including learners with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), the focus is on skills and capabilities rather than ‘working towards’ subject related targets which may not be priorities for the individuals concerned.
The pupils focus on early communication, social interaction and the cognitive and self-help skills that are crucial for all future learning.
This flexibility ensures for pupil-centred planning and assessment which puts the needs of the pupil first. Planning, teaching, learning and assessment is built around these needs. It also ensures a
holistic view of the pupil, focusing on how they learn and by acknowledging their different abilities and achievements.
We assess pupils not engaged in subject-specific learning against the following 7 indicators of engagement:
Responsiveness: change in a pupil’s behaviour that demonstrates he or she is being attentive to a new stimulus or reacting in a meaningful way.
Curiosity: demonstrates how a pupil is building on an initial reaction to a new stimulus.
Discovery: the changing ways in which a pupil interacts with, or responds to, a new stimulus, sometimes accompanied by expressions such as enjoyment and excitement.
Anticipation: demonstrates whether a pupil can predict, expect or associate a particular stimulus with an event.
Persistence: the extent to which a pupil is sustaining attention towards a particular item or action and is therefore beginning to develop conceptual understanding.
Initiation: demonstrates the different ways, and extent to which, a pupil investigates an activity or stimulus in order to bring about a desired outcome.
Investigation: measures the extent to which a pupil is actively trying to find out more about an object or activity via prolonged, independent experimentation.
Routes For Learning show a range of learning “routes” that can be used to assess the learning of pupils with complex needs and provides an appropriate context for the development of these early skills
Click here to view our routes for learning routemap
Home learning
There is an offer from TACPAC for a free TACPAC 5 set when purchased using the Code: 8Q7A3TXS
The website link is: https://tacpac.co.uk/product/set-5
What is TACPAC
Tacpac draws together touch and music to create a structured half hour of sensory communication between two people
What are the benefits?
Tacpac music is composed specifically to reflect the texture of each object so that the receiver experiences total sensory alignment.
Tacpac can be used by anyone.
Tacpac builds communication skills.
Tacpac enables progress to be measured and recorded.
Tacpac can be used in any setting – at home, in school, in hospital, in residential care or even outside.
|
Info |
Link |
|
This link is relevant for all parents/carers of PMLD learners. It is an online support network in which parents/carers, teachers and other professionals share ideas, and discuss any ideas |
|
|
This link is relevant for all parents/carers of PMLD learners. This website shows videos of intensive interaction in action, which is vital to develop communication for our learners |
|
|
These activities are mainly for EYFS and primary age PMLD learners, however could be adapted if needed. They are all linked to Easter |
Easter Activities – |
|
These links are for Sensory Stories and are relevant for all parents/carers of PMLD learners |
http://www.greenside.herts.sch.uk/Creative/SensoryStories/SensoryStories.html |
|
These links are more relevant for Secondary/College aged learners, however could be adapted if needed. These activities are based around how to inform your learner about the Coronavirus via social stories |
Social Story around Coronavirus – http://www.southendlearningnetwork.co.uk/educationalpsychology |
|
These links are relevant for all parents/carers of PMLD learners, and are based around mental health and wellbeing activities. |
Breathing Exercises – https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2hrO425XjCp6Zhu145VEgh5VizIDq2xJJMvLPNhNhIexf4CJEVkw4rj-4&v=mEZn_DxfMEs&app=desktop#menu Chair Yoga – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DYH5ud3zHo Chair Zumba – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4XW74W9t4o Gong Therapy – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRRhi9CcLps Laughing Yoga – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVkG3L79sL4 Guided Meditation for kids – |
|
This link is relevant to all parents/carers of PMLD learners. Soundabout are offering free online music sessions for you to join in at home. Please note: you have to have a Facebook account to join in |
Online Music Session – |
|
This link is relevant for secondary/college aged PMLD learners. This links gives you talking point cards about important job roles within society, and will support learners to consider employability in the future |
Job Role Talking Cards – |
|
This link is relevant for all parents/carers of PMLD learners that utilise symbols or PECS at home/school. |
Visual Cue Cards – |
|
This link is relevant for all parents/carers of PMLD learners, and provides a range of different activities to try at home, which can be adapted to fit your specific learner |
Range of Activities – |
|
This link is relevant for all parents/carers of PMLD learners and provides a ‘sensory shopping list’ to support your sensory play at home |
Sensory Shopping List – |