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Imogen's Story
Imogen is a student at Seashell's Royal School Manchester. Her language and communication skills have come on leaps and bounds thanks to her education at Seashell.
Imagine being told your baby may not survive the pregnancy, and if she did she would only live a matter of minutes.
This was the reality Lizzie and Bill were faced with when they were expecting their first child Imogen. But not only did Imogen live, she has thrived and is always being pushed to do more during her education at Seashell.
Mum Lizzie said: “Imogen was diagnosed with semi-lobar holoprosencephaly and at the time there was no information about it, nobody could tell us anything. And we were just waiting to lose her.
“But then she was born but she didn’t breathe for seven minutes – which was a long seven minutes. And then she started crying and they put her on my chest. Within the hour she was feeding and a few days later we went home.”
“At Seashell, she flourishes. There are no limitations put on what is possible here.”
Although Imogen’s condition means she has physical disabilities and struggles verbally, her competence for language and communication is good. She didn’t hit the usual milestones toddlers normally would, but she could do things her parents never expected her to do, so each triumph was always celebrated.
However, when Lizzie and Bill were looking at school places for Imogen, they struggled to find somewhere that would cater to all her needs.
Lizzie said: “Her physical needs are very high, but she’s also really bright. It was a balance finding somewhere that met her physical needs so that she can access education, but also her intellectual needs needed to be met too so that she is stimulated and interested and has the opportunity to develop.
“I remember the first time we walked into Seashell, the atmosphere and the feeling….it was just something really special.”
Imogen is now working with her Speech and Language Therapists at Seashell and hopes to now move on from her communication folder, to an electronic device. This will mean there is no limit to her vocabulary and learning and she could more easily communicate her needs and started discussions.
Her parents say one of the best things about Seashell is staff have never tried to limit Imogen’s education and she’s always being encouraged to do more.
Imogen's vocabulary is quite significant. With an electronic device we will have many more words that she can use. Developing her literacy skills will mean that she can write the words she wants to say - that would be where we'd love her to get to.
Caroline Gosling
Lead Speech and Language Therapist
Assistive Technology
Our Assistive Technology team work with students to find devices which can enhance their learning and further support their goals. Assistive technology is an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities.
Our assistive technologists ensure that they are able to advise on and implement the latest innovative assistant technology with our students. They work closely within Seashell’s multidisciplinary team to implement bespoke assistive technology strategies for students with learning disabilities. This enables our students to experience maximum independence and develop effective communication skills.