ADHD - FACTS NOT FICTION

Conference exploring new research about challenges facing adolescents and adults with ADHD and what educational establishments can do to help.

Speakers include Russell Barkley, professor of psychiatry at State University of New York. Fee: pound;99. Tel: 0870 881 0464; support@adhdinsuffolk.org

Events May 5-June 24 SIGNS OF A DIVA

Deaf diva Caroline Parker plays undertaker Sue Graves, who is transformed into Tammy Frascati, club singer extraordinaire, interpreting, translating and signing the songs of female performers with whom she identifies.

Venues: Deptford (020 8692 4446); Wimbledon (0870 060 6646); Wellingborough (01933 270007); Croydon (020 8253 1030); Darlington (01325 486555); Macclesfield (01625 574410).

May 11, 18 SCOPE RESOURCES

Scope, the disability organisation, is launching a free DVD and teaching pack about its oral history project, Speaking for Ourselves, at lunchtime events in London (May 11) and Birmingham (May 18) for education professionals. To register for events or resources, call 020 7619 7228 or email philip.mann@scope.org.uk

EDUCATION, CHOICE AND DISABLED CHILDREN

Scope is conducting a survey of parents’ experiences of selecting a school for a disabled child and asking how much choice they get. The survey is available online at www.snapsurveys.comscope or from Emily Wooster, on 020 7619 7260 or at emily.wooster@scope.org.uk. For information about Scope, go to www.scope.org.uk

May 14-20 NATIONAL EPILEPSY WEEK

Events are co-ordinated by the National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy. Tel: 01342 832243; www.ncype.org.ukaboutepilepsyweek

June 5-11 DOWN’S SYNDROME AWARENESS WEEK

Events are co-ordinated by the Down’s Syndrome Association.

Tel: 0845 230 0372; www.downs-syndrome.org.uk; www.countmeincalendar.info

June 9 TOGS FOR DOGS DAY

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People invites schoolchildren to wear non-uniform for a pound;1 donation. Accompanying schools packs contain a drama workshop with script and stage directions on empathising with deaf people and a competition to design a Togs for Dogs logo.

Tel: 01844 348100; www.hearing-dogs.co.uk

June 17 CREATIVE:SPACE

The creative arts charity, Create, runs 75-minute interactive music events for disabled children and their families in London, Reading and Sevenoaks, featuring blind, autistic pianist, Derek Paravicini, and other musicians.

The next shows are at Bradbourne school, Kent, 11.15am and 1.45pm; pound;6 adults; pound;4 children.

Tel: 020 7374 8485; helen@createarts.org.uk

Television BBC2 SOMETHING SPECIAL

A series of daily 15-minute language development programmes for ages 4-7, runs until May 25, 10.45-11am. Young children join in songs and rhymes around familiar themes and learn Makaton signing alongside teachers and parents.

Teachers’ TV

All programmes can be viewed and downloaded following transmission at www.teachers.tv. There is also a searchable library at www.teachers.tvsearchArchive.do

PRIMARY SPECIAL NEEDS: WORKING WITH A SPECIAL SCHOOL May 15, 3pm; May 16, 4pm.

Special needs pupils at a mainstream primary have benefited from the expertise of a local special school.

PRIMARY SPECIAL NEEDS: COMMUNICATING WITH PARENTS

May 21, 8.15am; May 23, 5.15pm; May 24, 3.15pm; May 28, 12.15pm; May 30, 6.15pm; June 2, 3.15pm and 3.15am. Tips to improve communication skills are provided through a course run by Kent’s Partnership with Parents.

MANAGING INCLUSION - PRIMARY: PUPPET ON A SHOESTRING May 21, 8.45am; May 23, 9.15am and 5.45pm; May 24, 1.15pm and 5.45pm; May 26, 2.15am; May 28, 12.45pm; May 30, 6.45pm; June 2, 5.45pm and 3.45am; June 4, 1.45pm. Monty the puppet, a new pupil at a Manchester primary, helps put pupils at ease when they make mistakes.

SECONDARY SPECIAL NEEDS: A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS May 21, 9am; May 23, 4am; May 24, 4pm; May 25, 5pm; May 28, 1pm; June 1, 6pm; June 2, 4pm and 4am; June 4, 2pm. Special needs pupils at The Menorah grammar school, an orthodox Jewish school in north London, run the canteen while working towards NVQs in catering.

KS12 ENGLISH: TEACHING THE DYSLEXIC CHILD May 21, 6.15pm; May 22, 5.15pm and 2.15am; May 23, 1.15pm; May 28, 10.15am; May 30, 2.15pm; May 31, 1.15am; June 2, 8.15am. This multi-sensory approach includes the use of fuzzy boards, a wooden alphabet and writing letter shapes on children’s backs. The importance of teaching continuous cursive handwriting and the need to “overlearn” is also emphasised.

Contributions to the diary should be sent to SNExtra@tes.co.uk