HelpKidzLearn: Accessible Communication at Newfield School

Newfield School in Blackburn, England is a nurturing environment where individuality is celebrated and every learner is supported to thrive. The school works with children and young people ages 4 to 19 with a wide range of needs, including autism, sensory impairments, complex medical needs, and diverse learning requirements.

At Newfield, HelpKidzLearn plays a key role in supporting inclusive practice by helping staff create accessible, engaging activities. These experiences help every student participate, make choices, and take an active role in their learning and environment.

Beyond "Leisure" and "Cause and Effect"

The team at Newfield understands that activities in HelpKidzLearn are not just a way to keep students occuplied and that the software is far more powerful than a basic "cause and effect" tool. While those initial interactions provide the "hook," the software serves as a sophisticated gateway to functional communication.

When a student uses a switch or eye-gaze system to interact with HelpKidzLearn activity, they aren't just playing, they are building a cognitive bridge towards intentional choice-making.

A Window for Assessment

One of the most significant takeaways from the Newfield experience is how HelpKidzLearn functions as a robust platform for assessment. For educators, the software provides a clear window into a student's internal world, allowing them to do the following:

• Monitoring how a student follows objects across the screen.

• Distinguishing between a random movement and a purposeful, specific choice.

• Tracking the time and consistency of a student's response to a prompt.

From Reaction to Action

By prioritizing these tools, the school empowers students to move beyond passive participation. They are no longer just recipients of a sensory experience when using Sensory Space or a passive observer when watching Inclusive Stories. They are the initiators who can express clear preferences and make independent choices. 

See the video to learn more about the use of HelpKidzLearn and the success stories of learners at Newfield School.

Contact us to request a FREE TRIAL of any of the HelpKidzLearn modules (info@bridges-canada.com).

You can also find FREE HelpKidzLearn resources and webinars on our website.