Training

SEP proposes training aiming at improving the living conditions for children with disabilities and their social environment.

An Open Platform for Siblings of Children with Disabilities (Age 8-14)

Karolien Remmerie, occupational therapist Trixie Pujol, clinical counsellor

Download full programme (2 Mb) Date: Saturday 3rd November 2018, 9 a. m. – 4:30 p. m. Venue: Rainbow School, Kitisuru Fee: 5000/= KSh. incl. lunch and tea breaks (4000/= KSh./sibling when 2 or more from the same family) (Payment via M-Pesa, Paybill 919974, A/C 0455325994) Reserve in advance: Before 26th October 2018 by phone 0733 267 869 or email sep_professionals@yahoo.com Contact person: Louisa Wangalwa (Upon subscription a short questionnaire will be sent out to the parents.) Abstract Siblings of children with disabilities are often forgotten when thinking about social inclusion. While care and attention focus on their brother or sister, they are left alone with their questions and anxieties. In school and with other children, they may face stigma and exclusion. Psychosocial support for siblings helps them strengthen their personality. It also fosters them in their ability to support their brother or sister and to love him/her. The workshop is an opportunity for siblings of children with disabilities to meet other children going through similar experiences. Hearings allow talking about the good and less good parts of having a sibling with a disability while providing peer support. It is a daylong workshop with dynamic activities, and also a time to have fun and laugh. We will celebrate the contributions made by siblings of children with disabilities. As many siblings in Kenya come from a variety of different nationalities and ethnicities, we will be receptive to different cultural views and beliefs. We are also aware that many children frequently move and this may affect friendships and family dynamics around having a sibling with a disabilities. Session Plan
  • Warm up and get to know each other
  • What disabilities are — define and describe
  • How it feels to have a disability
  • Living together with a child with a disability: strengths and challenges
  • Why a child with a disability behaves like this: perception, interpretation and behaviour, emotions
  • How the sibling feels
  • What about me?
  • What I can do to interact well: acceptance
  • What I learned: presentations
  • Wrap up and celebration
About the facilitators Karolien Remmerie is an occupational therapist with over 30 years of experience working with children with special needs. She runs her own therapy centre. Beside this, she is the director of SEP. Trixie Pujol holds a masters degree in clinical counselling. She has 27 years of experience working with children with disabilities, 23 of them focusing on autism. Her practice covers young children with autism, speech delays, sensory processing disorder, and with children with social and behavioural challenges.

Past training workshops

Handwriting

Esther Muriuki, occupational therapist Victor Juma, occupational therapist

Download full programme Date: Saturday 21st July 2018, 9 a. m. – 4:30 p. m. Venue: Desmond Tutu Conference Centre, Westlands (along Wayaki Way, opposite Safaricom building) Fee: 5000/= KSh. incl. lunch and tea breaks Reserve in advance: Before 13th July 2018 by phone 0733 267 869 or email sep_professionals@yahoo.com Contact person: Louisa Wangalwa Abstract Writing is a necessary form of communication by visual symbols to convey thoughts, ideas and emotions utilized secondly to verbal expression. Many children begin to scribble on paper or any surface shortly after they are able to grasp a writing tool, and their scribbling evolves into the handwriting skills specific to demands within their environment. In early learning, handwriting is a major tool of academic gains. It is therefore crucial to understand the development, skill foundations, and factors that influence this skill so that we can help those who struggle with it and mitigate the gaps that may have occurred during development. This workshop will give an in-depth look into this subject. Session Plan In this interactive training session, the facilitators take the participants through:
  • Prewriting period (requisites for handwriting development)
  • Pencil grasp development and norms of strokes development
  • Exploring hand writing styles
  • Assessing and analyzing handwriting gaps
  • Interventions/assistive aids and adaptations to aid handwriting development
About the facilitators Esther Muriuki is an occupational therapist with 19 years experience, both national and international. Graduated from Kenya Medical Technical College (KMTC), she is a partner at Gail occupational therapy where she currently specializes in school based therapy intervention and standardized testing. Victor Juma has obtained his diploma in occupational therapy at KMTC. He works as a school-based occupational therapist at Rainbow Therapies. Victor has a broad experience with assisting special needs children develop learning components for handwriting abilities. He is currently continuing his education to become a counselling psychologist at Mount Kenya University.

Exploring Teaching and Learning Strategies in the 21st Century

Dr John Onala, special needs consultant Lilian Agesa, special needs teacher

Download flyer Date: Saturday 24th February 2018, 9 a. m. – 4:30 p. m. Venue: Desmond Tutu Conference Centre, Westlands (along Wayaki Way, opposite Safaricom building) Fee: 5000.- KSh. (Payment via M-Pesa, Paybill 919974, A/C 0455325994) Reserve in advance: Before 16th February 2018 by phone 0733 267 869 or email sep_professionals@yahoo.com Contact person: Louisa Wangalwa Abstract Teaching and learning has evolved a lot with continuous research and education. As teaching and learning becomes more complex with changing times, teachers, parents and caregivers are seeking new ways of addressing individual and group learning needs. They use different strategies including technology which is penetrating most aspects of learning and culture. Teachers appreciate the fact that learners are experiencing more challenges than before necessitating the need to rethink teaching and learning strategies. This workshop focuses on identification of learning needs, styles and designating teaching strategies that addresses learners’ needs. The strategies also focuses on understanding and meeting the teachers’ needs which making teaching/learning interactive, engaging and recognises both the learner and educator as equal partners in education. Come learn with us to unleash your teaching and learning potential and you help learners exploit their potentials. BE A NO LIMIT, HAPPY AND MOTIVATED TEACHER. About the facilitators Dr John Ouma Onala (PhD early intervention for children with autistic spectrum disorder), is a leading consultant in education, developmental disabilities and biocelulla analysis at First Steps Interventions, and the chairperson of SEP. Lilian Agesa is a trained special needs teacher (B.ED) with a minor in English and literature. She has taught early years and children with learning difficulties in the area of literacy since 2012. Believing in inclusive approaches to teaching, her passion in teaching literacy and numeracy to learners has seen her gain more interest in training other teachers and collaborating to make learning a worth experience to both teachers and students.

Ergonomics: Workplace Health and Safety

Tom Nthiani, physiotherapist George Onoka, occupational therapist

Download full programme Date: Friday 23rd March 2018, 9 a. m. – 4:30 p. m. Venue: Desmond Tutu Conference Centre, Westlands (along Wayaki Way, opposite Safaricom building) Fee: 5000.- KSh. incl. lunch and tea breaks (Payment via M-Pesa, Paybill 919974, A/C 0455325994) Reserve in advance: Before 16th March 2018 by phone 0733 267 869 or email sep_professionals@yahoo.com Contact person: Louisa Wangalwa Abstract Human beings spend a third of their time at work and the health of one’s workforce directly impacts the productivity and well-being. So ergonomics is one of the most important aspects of our day to day activities. Whether you work at a desk or you have a job that requires manual handling, ergonomics are important steps to prevent injuries and make you efficient. Special Education Professionals (SEP) has developed a training to take your safety and ergonomic awareness to the next level. It will provide you with useful and practical tools to prevent work related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and other work related illnesses. The training will focus on identification of common signs of work related injuries and illnesses, their causes (e. g. poor posture) and techniques at workplace. It will also include demonstrations of good ergonomic principles and preventive adaptations. Session Plan
  • Basic concepts of ergonomics
  • What are musculoskeletal disorders (MSD)
  • Recognize and understand the factors contributing to work related MSD
  • Common musculoskeletal injury risks
  • Early signs and symptoms
  • Strategies to reduce work related MSD
  • Use of ergonomic principles to improve the design of work stations
  • Understand worker capability and limitations
  • Applying ergonomic programs to increase productivity and profitability
  • Back safety
  • Fatigue management
  • Sedentary behaviour
About the facilitators Tom Nthiani, BA. in physiotherapy from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), is a senior physiotherapist with 10 years experience. Currently he is a trainer at SEP and a critical care physiotherapist at Machakos level 5 Hospital. He is also a part-time lecturer at Kenya Medical Training College, Machakos Campus. Tom is registered with and licensed by the Physiotherapy Council of Kenya. George Onoka, BSc. in occupational therapy from JKUAT, has 10 years experience working with people who have MSD. Currently he is a rehabilitation officer with Amref Health Africa and a trainer with SEP. He is registered with Kenya Occupational Therapists Association (KOTA) and has occupational therapy validation by Health Service Executive, Ireland. Both trainers have significant knowledge and expertise in body mechanics and are experts at translating complex medical concepts into operational principles that can be applied in any work place.