Lifestart Northern Beaches is presenting a two and a half hour ‘Hands Can Talk’ sign language workshop where participants will learn over 80 signs. Fifty of the signs have been selected for their use in day-to-day life and an additional thirty have been chosen  that will add to the beauty of some simple songs. The emphasis is on how to use the signs to facilitate communication between adults and kids and and shows how signing can greatly enhance songs. The workshop is presented by Sign Language Consultant, Tutor & Author Aileen Ryan and is a very good workshop for those just starting in the use of sign or wishing to revise.

The workshop takes place at Lifestart Northern Beaches Centre at 5 Aquatic Drive, French’s Forest on Wednesday 1oth September from 6:45pm to 9:30pm. Refreshments are provided. Cost $25. For further information or to reserve your place contact Pam Mcleod on 9451 9564.

This week is Speech Pathology Week with this year’s theme being “Communication: More than just words”. Speech Pathology is an integral aspect of Lifestart’s early intervention program and we are pleased to recognise the importance of this week. For further information log on to  Speech Pathology Australia. 

Maroubra SLSC has plans this summer to run a new nippers program for kids with disabilities. The club is going to launch the program at the Lifestart Family Fun & Kite Day being held this Sunday 31 August. For more details on the program contact Tim Murray on 0411 129426 or tim.murray@optusnet.com.au. For more information on the Lifestart Family Fun & Kite Day go to Events.

On Saturday night nearly three hundred guests assembled in the Grand Ballroom at Acer Arena for the 2008 Lifestart Winter Ball. In a winter environment beautifully decked out in blue and silver and lit by Video Plus, guests wined on Molly’s Cradle boutique wines, dined on Acer Arena’s best and danced the night away to Jellybean Jam. Between times they showed just how generous our supporters are by taking part in the raffle, silent and live auction and wish list purchases. The Silent Auction was a particular favourite thanks to a computerised bidding system from IML. Master-of-ceremonies Vic Lorusso kept the night moving along and Lifestart Chairman Iain Thompson moved the emotions of the room with his personal tale of being the loving parent of a child with an intellectual disability. Thanks must go to the ball committee of Samantha Thompson, Julie Clarke, Sue Neilson, Fran Jones and Lee-Ann Fortuin and the staff at Acer Arena.

Lifestart Northern Beaches is holding an information evening for parents whose children are soon to attend primary school.  There will be a panel of parents who have transitioned their children into a variety of school settings, who will give the benefit of their experience in dealing with the challenges they faced. Steve Jones from the Lifestart School Link Program will also talk about the transitional support this program can provide and how parents can apply to receive the service. details of the evening are

Date: Wednesday 27th August - Time: 7:00pm - Venue: Lifestart Northern Beaches, 5 Aquatic Drive, Frenchs Forest

If you would like to attend please RSVP by Wednesday 20th August to Pam Macleod on 9451 9564

Makaton is a new program being piloted at Lifestart Eastwood. The program is designed to provide opportunities for parents, carers and children to learn and use Makaton key word signing in everyday play situations. Parents and carers attend weekly small group sessions and there are also opportunities for these families to attend a Makaton Basic signing workshop and have one-to-one support to use signing in daily activities at home, childcare and pre-school settings. The program is running this term and being taken by Speech Pathologist and Makaton specialist Michelle Hughes supported by Lifestart staff. The Makaton program will also run at other Lifestart centres - contact your local centre for more detail.

Lifestart Eastwood would like to thank Dank’s Trust for their generous financial support in making this program possible.

The 2008 Lifestart Winter Ball is on Saturday 16 August at Acer Arena. See Events for more details.