I worked with Anne for over 10 years as a teaching assistant with classes, small groups and in 1:1 situations. Anne was responsible for the SEN, Autism and Intervention policy across the whole school. Anne developed effective strategies for all children she worked with, some of whom were extremely challenging and potentially violent. She was skilful in training myself, staff and working with parents and other agencies like Social Services, medical consultants and Educational Psychologists. Her knowledge of education, differences, disabilities, integration, inclusion and SEN is wide ranging. She uses this in a practical way. She was, and is, extremely successful in achieving progress with individuals, families and whole schools.
During the 1990’s Anne helped to create awareness of SEN, differences, disabilities and Autism in Singapore. She volunteered and worked with a wide variety of local and expatriate children. With the advent of the internet she gave advice online to families in Malaysia on a daily basis via an on line group called PR4A. Lately she has also travelled to Malaysia to deliver autism training to parents and professionals.
Recently Anne has helped several families in Miri with their children with autism or difficulties. She has demonstrated her depth of knowledge and professional skill while helping these Malaysian families including my own.
I would thoroughly recommend her services.
Technologies such as FaceTime and WhatsApp, are actively used to communicate with the Professional Team, and to remotely engage with the client; guiding activities such as personal care, washing, shaving, brushing teeth, taking medication, shopping, taking a bus/taxi, etc.
By actively engaging in the use of these technologies, Anne has successfully focused on building the independence and confidence of her clients and their carers.
Her work is innovative and insightful.
I have known Anne professionally, and personally for 35 years. I invited her to deliver a keynote lecture at Keele University to over 200 trainee teachers to introduce the theme of Special Education. The trainees responded extremely positively in their feedback to Anne's address, highlighting her warmth and her insightful knowledge and understanding, informed from both her own personal experiences of raising a child with special needs and through drawing on a wide body of contemporary research.