Just watched DVD of educational changes announced by Ed Balls. Look at the black guy at the end. Whatever he is achieving could be improved upon. Obvious developmental delay. Poor lad cannot hold a pen correctly - note pressure applied , see knuckles. Too close to paper- developmental problems. If we addressed such issues across population we would see improvements in individual performance, less adverse behaviours, more contented children. Such programmes exist and research has been paid for by education bodies. Why do we not use what is known? We can put in individual reading programmes but it reaches only a very few and is expensive. We could get the same improvement for a much larger number by early developmental intervention.

Just back from seeing brother . He and his wife are back from Thailand for a couple of months. He is going on Mongolia Charity rally July 11th with long time friend Meurig Jones. Hope to see them off from London. Good luck to them both.

Good to hear from past EASIE trainees and to know that the programme is helping them help children. Especially glad that children who have had a poor start in life can be helped. All children deserve the best chance to succeed.

Been to Listening update and it was great to hear how well the Listening Program has been received in some areas and the excellent results they are getting over a whole range of labels. They are now starting to get it in for whole classes. This work started in Nottinghamshire nearly ten years ago and similarly they are seeing improvements.
There were reports on effects with autism and connecting it with the work of Stephen Porges and studies of the vagus nerve. As a result of some findings there is now a study ongoing on continence.
It is not one programme to cure all but has been combined with movement for best effect in many cases.
The need of the children is ever growing so I hope the news will be spread for their benefit, at the September conference in Newark.

Off to the update meeting for the listening Training programme from ABT. There are more studies being presented which show the improvements that can be made with the input. The programme is expensive for individuals to purchase but it makes a worthwhile difference. It would be even better if it could be brought into schools for all, and that is being done in some places. Input of developmental programmes is complementary to teaching and allows the children to benefit far more from the teaching they receive because, they are more effective learners.

Just received update from www.whataboutthechildren.org.uk . There is some interesting information on their website. Deals with children under 3 years. Looks at emotions in particular. All things help to complete the puzzle of child development. Worth a look.

Been to Newark Business meeting today. Trying to expand publicity for conference September 12th 'Children Matter'. Details on website under events www.toolsforlife.co.uk
It seems an uphill struggle sometimes but just retested 2 children on autistic spectrum today , after input of Listening Training Programme. To use a standardised test and see such improvement in results for auditory skills makes it worthwhile. It may not solve all their problems but it will make a real difference by reducing their difficulties in this area.
It raises a smile from the boys when they look at the results charts and see the difference.
Parent reports: child stringing more words together into sentences more often, mixing with other children more easily and more willing to accept changes to routine.
It all helps make life easier overall.

Seem to be more and more children struggling with developmental difficulties. Schools can train them up well for reading and spelling but the effort the children have to make in school is too much and it leaves them fatigued. Some children can let it all wash over them but others become sad or angry. Some children get help with a label, dyslexia, dyspraxia, autistic spectrum etc but there are lots who do not fit in to a specific label and get nothing. If we put in a structured developmental programme in early years for all children, then these children would be helped too. It would also benefit those from disadvantaged situations and those where english is not the first language. A lot of the more severe problems of the secondary sector would be removed by early intervention. Makes sense to do that and financially beneficial too.

Quite an interesting week. Good to know one of the children I helped with developmental programmes is now top of his year at the Grammar school. Seeing the children succeed makes the job worthwhile.