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Sannat
Special Unit forms part of Sannat Primary School. It presently caters for 21
students between the ages of 3 and 19 years with moderate to profound
intellectual, physical, sensory and emotional disabilities from all over Gozo.
The
aims at the Unit are:
That
the children with disabilities develop physically, intellectually and
socially to their full potential, primarily through socializing with
children from regular classes.
That
they achieve as high a level of autonomy as possible.
That
our students participate as much as possible in local community life.
That
children from regular classes develop the right attitudes towards
disability, inclusion, and full participation by our children.
That
society in general starts to look more at the abilities rather than at the
disabilities of our students.
Services offered
Every student follows an individual time-table according to his/her individual needs. Speech therapist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, teacher, facilitator and parents contribute to the student’s I.E.P. Psychologist and social worker also give their contribution when needed.
Monitoring
of programmes by occupational, speech and physiotherapists.
Individual training at the Unit in self help skills, gross and fine motor skills, behaviour modification, academical skills, language and communication skills.
Participation
in General School Activities including assembly, breaks, stage productions
and congregation.
Outings
both in Malta and Gozo organized either for mainstream classes or for Unit
students.
Inclusion
of children in regular classes according to their inclinations, needs, and
abilities.
Inclusion
part-time in local community schools as well as secondary schools.
Transition programmes to Adult Training Centre.
Individual care including changing and washing twice daily for some children.
Hot
meal and training in table manners at mid-day.
Transport to and from the Unit in a tail-lift van.
Inclusion and Awareness Programme
One of our aims this year was to prepare a programme aimed for inclusion as well as awareness. We invited Year 2 classes from all schools in Gozo and delivered an inclusion programme with them. Students had the opportunity to integrate with unit students whilst enjoying the activities carried out. We also invited PSD teachers of Form 2 students to organize a visit to the Special Unit. During this visit students participated in an awareness programme.
Inclusion Programme focused on the following areas – games in the gym; art in a classroom; and a literacy lesson in the sensory room. These areas were linked by using the same topic. In each area the topic was elaborated accordingly. Thus:
In the sensory room, a literacy lesson was held using sound and light and other special effects to create a real situation.
Ginger Bread Man - Story Telling in Sensory Room
· In the art area, painting was another means to recreate the story again. Afterwards, the story was read using boardmaker symbols to make students aware that some students communicate with Picture Symbols.
Students during art
activity
· In the gym area, the pupils experienced the story again through games. Here students had the opportunity to use special equipment used by unit students such as big balls, swings etc
Play
Session in Gym Area
Students who visited the Special Unit joined unit students during their individual programme. They were made aware of the strengths and needs of our students. They visited different areas in the Special Unit. Such areas included the classrooms, the gym, sensory room and kitchen.
Cooking Activity