Laura S
Primary Tutor
Bath, South West
I’m trained to support mental health and wellbeing, and have a breadth of knowledge in aiding those experiencing Grief, Loss & Bereavement, Stress, Anxiety & Trauma, Eating Disorders and supporting those partaking in Deliberate Self Harm. Incorporating emotional language into the daily routine enables the whole family to support self regulation and decrease emotional outbursts.
"Laura's stand-out characteristics are her commitment to the families she supports, desire to help and friendly nature."
Becca
Availability
£110 per hour
How I support families
Supporting families is an extremely important part of my work. I help families in setting up practical, calm, structured environments around the home and learning environments. Working together we can identify your child’s areas of need. I then equip you with practical tools which allow the individual to be successful, and help you to observe and assess the important steps of progress that they are and can make, against a meaningful personalised framework. Using a tailored curriculum, real life examples and a structured multi-sensory approach using: sounds, smells, tastes, visual representations, and physical objects that can be seen, touched, manipulated and handled, each individual can safely explore their community, their own values and beliefs, build resilience, embrace culture, broaden their experiences and question the world around them. I’ll help each young person build independence skills, practise transitions repetitively, use transport, find an area of interest, access the world around them in a more confident manner and improve overall well-being for the whole family.
How I support children and young people’s behaviour
Communication is a meaningful interaction between two or more individuals to request, resist, choose, comment and develop social relationships. I adopt a ‘Total Communication Approach’, meaning all methods of communication are recognised and valued equally as forms of interaction. All behaviours are a form of communication. A proactive, whole person approach, that is informed by each individual’s needs, can help to unpick each behaviour. I consistently encourage appropriate behaviour, outline clear expectations and enable each individual to feel secure and respected. A positive behaviour approach, using both informal (verbal praise, gestures, signing and symbols) and formal (written visual feedback and awards) boosts self-esteem. When behaviour appears challenging, or defiant, I use relevant behaviour support plans to identify which needs need to be met: sensory, escape, attention or tangible. This approach ensures that early and preventative intervention is the norm, to reduce the incidence of extreme behaviours, encourage the young person to make positive choices and develop self-control, support them in difficult situations and safely manage crises.
How I support children and young people’s wellbeing
I’m trained to support mental health and wellbeing, and have a breadth of knowledge in aiding those experiencing Grief, Loss & Bereavement, Stress, Anxiety & Trauma, Eating Disorders and supporting those partaking in Deliberate Self Harm. Incorporating emotional language into the daily routine enables the whole family to support self regulation and decrease emotional outbursts. Strategies like the “Zones of Regulation” tool, validate experiences, establish boundaries, and consistently model appropriate emotional responses. Writing personalised social stories explains new experiences and environments, using simple language and imagery. Keeping safe in relationships is vital. Using evidence based Relationship and Sex Education frameworks, supported by So SAFE and the NSPCC, social safety is promoted with standardised symbols, visual tools and concepts. Teaching strategies for moving into different relationships in a safe, measured manner, these tools help individuals to stay safe when meeting a stranger, forming friendships, building relationships with family members, and forming a safe, intimate relationship with a partner. Teaching appropriate behaviours, sexual health, hygiene and social skills in a safe, direct way, vulnerability to abuse is reduced. Repeatedly using these resources can give a young person a voice and ability to report.
How I use music as a sensory intervention
Sensory Music is a goal-oriented, therapeutic approach that uses the naturally mood-lifting properties of music to help people improve their mental health and well-being. Music is essential to building confidence and self-expression and teaches us to be self-motivated, hardworking and disciplined. Music has great therapeutic value, able to calm or stimulate those with limited awareness, offering a way to communicate with others where words are not needed. Through a carefully planned series of themed, multi-sensory music interventions, I create a calm environment for each individual to make music in a therapeutic way. By making music, writing and creating songs, singing, listening, moving to music, and exploring various musical genres, this form of treatment can help improve their quality of life. I am privileged to support them in this journey, and observe as they totally immerse themselves in the music, build confidence, overcome stress and anxieties, have fun and express their emotions in a safe space. I value and celebrate each individual, their work and achievements.
How I work with children and young people who present with autism and other SEND needs
Creating a carefully structured, calm and positive environment, enables individuals to focus. By reducing the stress of what is next, structured routines, clear schedules, visual timetables, Now & Next boards, choosing time, motivators, and token reward systems become a manageable way of maintaining control over each day. Making time to practise transitions, process new information and repeat learning is vital. I’ve adopted a variety of teaching methods and techniques when working with non-verbal and sensory learners: structured teaching (TEACCH), Picture Exchange Communication Systems PECS, Makaton signing, intensive interaction and positive behaviour strategies. This play-based approach includes: messy play, attention & engagement, TEACCH Tasks, dough gym, movement breaks, expressive mark making, and self regulation strategies. Sensory tools promote regulation, improve focus, and increase participation. Technological aids, imaginative drama/role-play are used to explore equality of opportunity, as well as the concept of access to achievement. Fun learning activities, accessible, meaningful and appropriately challenging tasks boost self-confidence and help individuals to be successful.