Support to children with speech and other disabilities in Valmiera (Latvia)

Latvia

Valmiera city 3rd kindergarten “Sprīdītis” (Valmieras pilsētas 3.pirmsskolas izglītības iestāde “Sprīdītis”)

Rupniecibas street 29, Valmiera, LV- 4201, Latvia Phone: (371) 64231434 E-mail: spriditis@valmiera.lv http://www.valmiera.lv/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=110&Itemid=476

Governmental

There are 9 groups at Valmiera city 3.preschool educational institution, 2 of them are speech therapy groups. There are 2 departments: 1) Speech Therapy Center 2.) Child entertainment and development center.
Kindergarten is attended by 186 children, of which 30 children attending the special group for children with speech disorders. Of 156 children attending mainstream groups - 76 children have a variety of development disorders: 1) speech disorders – 33; 2) posture and movement disorders – 20; 3) somatic disorders -18; 4) visual impairments -3; 5) contact with the TBC – 1.
Kindergarten provides speech therapy classes, the remedial gymnastics and physiotherapy, and also medical care.

Valmiera district preschool and elementary-age school children have the opportunity to get qualified professional help for language development. Classes are organised in the centre as well as in other institutions attended by children with disabilities and not having appropriate specialist – speech therapist. For specialist needs institution has appropriate mobile equipment and 2 cars.

Since the opening of the Language Therapy Center counselling and therapy has been provided to 1602 children. Children having only minor pronunciation or language disorders are attending classes for 3 to 8 months, but children with severe disabilities attend classes for 1 to 2 years.
New development opportunities are planned for future by organising water and sand therapy. It is planned to build an extension to the building, with ball-pool and additional equipment to sensory room. It will provide children with much better development opportunities in an environment created for them.

The center provides practice opportunities for new professionals – teachers- speech therapists. The Center has been visited by various specialists from several countries including from Sweden, Denmark, Italy, England, Germany, Greece, etc. These meetings take place during the experience exchange among specialist. Closer cooperation has been built up with several Latvian preschool and primary institutions, which takes over the practice and have set up centers in their districts or advice points, such as at Cesis. Good cooperation continues with the district doctors and pediatricians. Currently in the center is working clinical psychologist who diagnoses and helps children and their parents to work through the psychological problems. Information about the preschool “Spriditis” and the Center activities are reflected in the Vidzeme TV, press, Valmiera City website. Also center designed booklets for language therapy, and entertainment and development centers, which are distributed through medical practices, events, etc

1) The groups for children with language disorders at the comprehensive establishment.
2) Children with various disabilities integration in comprehensive groups.
3) Language Therapy Center- can be attended by children from the Vidzeme region.
4) Pre-primary education institutions adopted “Spriditis” experience and another pre-school educational institutions in Latvia opened small aid centers.
5) The experts trained and acquired expertise and experience of integrated education opportunities in Denmark and Germany.

Children attending Valmiera city preschool “Spriditis” and also for children who don’t have this opportunity in their institutions can have additional free of charge lessons and consultations. Parental counseling. Pedagogically medical work of the commission. Teacher practice. Mirror room, which gives parents the opportunity to observe classes, indirectly participating - children are not prevented from carrying out activities. Provide advice of pediatrician, a clinical psychologist and classes at the speech and physical development teacher. At the Children entertainment and development center there is sense development room. The children visit the center if there is no space provided for pre-school educational institution and when parents have no opportunity to be together with their children up to 4 hours a day. In addition to the existing personnel who ensure the institution's activities in pre-education institution hires professionals: 3 speech therapists, 1 doctor, 1 teacher of physical development, a clinical psychologist on a part-week, 1 pre-school teacher.

pre-school education, Sprīdītis, Language therapy centre, primary education, language impairment