Move 627: Transition - Supporting Children and Parents through life's changes

What is transition?
One definition of transition is a passage from one form, state, style, or place to another.

In the context of the young person moving from primary to secondary school he or she is not only moving place, going from primary to secondary school, but is also moving from a stage of childhood to adolescence.

He or she is passing through puberty and is undergoing major emotional and physical changes.
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The four phases of transition
The four phases of transition are

• Preparation, 
• Induction, 
• Transfer and 
• Consolidation 

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Key changes in the child
Key changes in the young person's life include pubertal changes such as physical growth and emotional upheaval.

In addition to this, changes in the brain itself have more recently been noted, specifically in one area known as the prefrontal cortex, which sits just behind the forehead.

It has been called the “CEO of the brain”, and has a major role in controlling planning, working memory, organisation, and modulating mood and impulsivity.

As the prefrontal cortex matures, adolescents are able to make more reasoned decisions and start to gain more control over their impulses. They are able to plan and determine their actions.
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This site - what it can do for you
Move 627 contains a wealth of information which may help parents, schools and health professionals to better support young people during the transition from primary to secondary school.

The site may be particularly useful to young people with ADHD and other developmental disorders. Move627 contains downloadable information, adaptable downloads and fun, interactive games. These may all help:
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To learn more about supporting parents and children with Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, DCD, ADHD, etc., be sure to visit the website of Move627 and their sister sites: Box of Ideas and www.dyscovery.info

The websites are supported by Prof. Amanda Kirby: A registered Medical Practitioner who specialises in Community Paediatrics and Psychiatry. Prof Kirby has particular interest in Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and DCD and is currently the patron of the Dyspraxia Association in New Zealand and medical advisor to the Dyspraxia Foundation in the UK and Ireland.

She is also a medical advisor to a developmental disorders clinic in Singapore, the UK Neurofibromatosis Association and is on the Royal College of General Practitioners Learning Disability Working Party.

A Box of Many Ideas: Parents' Support Website for Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and DCD

The one stop shop for 1000s of ideas, guidance and information for parents of children who suffer from Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and /or DCD. 

The website boast that it provides guidance on everything from early years to employment. Click on the pictures to visit the website or follow the links below.

Practical skills and information for parents concerning Education, schools and employment

Practical skills that parents and carers can use at home or outside school time. 

Move 627 is a website that examines the transitional stages that children go through in their lives, offering information and support.

To learn more about supporting parents and children with Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, DCD, ADHD, etc., be sure to visit the website of Move627 and their sister site: www.dyscovery.co.uk

The websites are supported by Prof. Amanda Kirby: A registered Medical Practitioner who specialises in Community Paediatrics and Psychiatry. Prof Kirby has particular interest in Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and DCD and is currently the patron of the Dyspraxia Association in New Zealand and medical advisor to the Dyspraxia Foundation in the UK and Ireland.

She is also a medical advisor to a developmental disorders clinic in Singapore, the UK Neurofibromatosis Association and is on the Royal College of General Practitioners Learning Disability Working Party.

Introducing: Amanda Kirby - Understand the difference

Professor Amanda Kirby MBBS MRCGP PhD

Professor Kirby founded The Dyscovery Centre in Cardiff in 1997.

Since that time The Centre has become internationally recognised for its work in Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD) and related specific learning difficulties.

In 2006, the Dyscovery Centre became part of the School of Education at the University of Wales, Newport. In April 2007 Amanda gained a Chair in Developmental Disorders in Education at the University.

Amanda previously worked as a General Practitioner and has worked in Community Paediatrics and Psychiatry.

She has many books published in the field of specific learning difficulties, and has published Mapping SEN – a CD-based programme for schools - and '100 Ideas for Supporting Pupils with Dyspraxia and DCD' as well as academic texts.

She is very interested in the ability to transfer evidence-based research into everyday practice and has recently developed several different websites including www.adhdtraining.co.uk, www.boxofideas.org and www.spldtransitions.co.uk.

Amanda is currently the patron of the Dyspraxia Association in New Zealand and medical advisor to the Dyspraxia Foundation in the UK and Ireland.

She is also a medical advisor to a developmental disorders clinic in Singapore, the UK Neurofibromatosis Association and is on the Royal College of General Practitioners Learning Disability Working Party.

She also works with the Welsh Assembly on specific projects including a benchmarking exercise on Dyslexia and specific learning difficulties provision.

She has provided consultancy to the RAF and Football Association.

Amanda has both a professional and personal interest in DCD (Dyspraxia) and related specific learning difficulties as her middle child, her 25-year old son, has co-ordination and some attentional difficulties, and trying to address his difficulties and finding answers to problems first sparked her interest in the area.

Her research interests include the effects of nutrition on learning and behaviour, outcomes for students in further and higher education with Dyspraxia and DCD, and executive functioning in school and college students.

Recent work has continued to look at the effect of specific learning difficulties in gaining employment.

Check her for a comprehensive presentation on Supporting Learning Difficulties in Adulthood by Prof. Kirby: this presentation was given at the Understand the Difference conf. 2011

Contact Details: Amanda.kirby@newport.ac.uk - www.dyscovery.org