News & Blog | Sensational Kids

Online Therapy Supports Re-Open at Sensational Kids, Monaghan

April 20, 2020April 21, 2020 by Karen Leigh

Generous Donation for Online Therapy Supports for Children in Need in Monaghan Area There’s good news for parents of children with additional needs in the Cavan/Monaghan and surrounding areas. Sensational Kids Child Development Centre in Monaghan, which was forced to close its online occupational therapy supports for children with additional needs during the pandemic due to a lack of funding, has today re-opened its online occupational therapy supports for children and families in need, with thanks to a very generous donation by a donor advised fund from The Community Foundation of Ireland. Sensational Kids’ online tele-health services that are available for children from Sensational Kids in Monaghan include Occupational Therapy and Speech & Language Therapy for children and adolescents of all ages and all abilities, as well as parent advice and parent coaching for parents who have children with additional needs. As a Social Enterprise, our affordable and accessible […]

Telehealth at Sensational Kids

April 17, 2020April 17, 2020 by Karen Leigh

On March 18th, at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis in Ireland, we temporarily ceased clinic-based services. It was impossible for our therapists to continue offering therapy services in person while complying with social distancing guidelines. This called for innovation, adaptation, and flexibility. We knew that our families would continue to need our services, particularly with the current crisis; school closures, change in daily routines and increased anxiety levels. Sensational Kids is proud to have set up a telehealth service to ensure continuity of service and to support families. This blog post aims to provide information on telehealth and to highlight the benefits of telehealth from the perspective of a therapist. What is telehealth? “Telehealth is the use of digital information and communication technologies, such as computers and mobile devices, to access health care services remotely. These may be technologies you use from home”. Telehealth is growing rapidly and has […]

Covid-19 Crisis Forces Closure of Sensational Kids Monaghan

April 4, 2020April 5, 2020 by Karen Leigh

Charity Forced to Close Monaghan Child Development Centre for Children with Additional Needs This week, Sensational Kids, an award-winning social enterprise and charitable organisation was forced to temporarily close the doors of its child development centre in Clones, County Monaghan, leaving many vulnerable children without essential services and three staff unemployed. “It is with deep regret and a very heavy heart that we were forced to temporarily close our child development centre in Clones this week” says Sensational Kids CEO & Founder Karen Leigh. “Like many other non-profit organisations, we have been severely impacted operationally and financially by the unprecedented impact of the Covid-19 crisis. Whilst we are currently unable to provide face to face therapy supports for children and families at our child development centres, Sensational Kids has been very innovative and responded quickly to the crisis. Our amazing team immediately recognised that many families and children still […]

Virtual Care at Sensational Kids

March 21, 2020April 14, 2020 by Karen Leigh

A Brand New Way to Receive Sensational Kids Services Our innovative Virtual Care services leverage video conference technology to allow you to connect remotely with one of our healthcare professionals, regardless of where you’re located. Access to therapy supports for a child or adolescent can make all the difference in the world, which is why Sensational Kids is innovating to improve access to services and to look after our vulnerable children and adolescents, when clinic based services are unavailable. You can now connect with us remotely for Virtual Care. From Monday 23rd March, all of our occupational therapy, speech & language therapy and play therapy sessions will be moving to online video calls using a secure virtual healthcare video conferencing system. You can also request for a therapist to call you over the phone. Our Virtual Care services are easy to use, private, and most of all convenient. Removes accessibility […]

Important Notice About Therapy Appointments

March 18, 2020March 18, 2020 by Karen Leigh

Going Online Due to the Corona Virus guidelines to maintain social distancing, we are adapting and moving our regular therapy appointments online. We understand that regular therapy is important to be effective and that some children need us now more than ever. It is so important for our children to maintain relationships and support at this time. Parent consultations, speech & language therapy, play therapy and occupational therapy appointments will continue as normal online . What you will need for online therapyFor your online therapy to work will need – Internet access. – a tablet/laptop or desktop with a camera. Assessments and some other services have to be postponed. Please contact our local therapy centres for confirmation about your booked appointments. KILDARE: Phone 045 520900 Email info@sensationalkids.ie MAYO: Phone 094 9357005 Email Claremorris@sensationalkids.ie MONAGHAN: Phone 047 52671 Email Clones@sensationalkids.ie WEST CORK: Phone 023 887 8208 Email Clonakilty@sensationalkids.ie Psychotherapy Support We […]

Important Notice

March 17, 2020March 17, 2020 by Karen Leigh

All face to face appointments are now cancelled due to the Corona Virus. We are however, trying to find innovative ways to support our community through this difficult time as we are aware that some children need us now more than ever. We are in the process of setting up online therapy appointments with online booking so please bear with us whilst we set this up. In the meantime, we can offer appointments or advice over the phone or by skype instead. Please do not hesitate to give us a call if you need therapy support or therapy advice. For all queries contact us at: KILDARE:Phone 045 520900Email info@sensationalkids.ie MAYO:Phone 094 9357005Email Claremorris@sensationalkids.ie MONAGHAN:Phone 047 52671Email Clones@sensationalkids.ie WEST CORK:Phone 023 887 8208Email Clonakilty@sensationalkids.ie We look forward to playing with you all again soon.

Notice from Sensational Kids to all visitors during Covid

March 12, 2020March 16, 2020 by Karen Leigh

Therapy Supports Sensational Kids is a special place providing a place of safety, security, health and growth to children and families who us visit each week and for our amazing staff who work so hard every day. During the current Covid-19 situation, we want to share our plan and added precautions we have taken. We ask our community to follow these guidelines, as well as the guidelines issued by the HSE. We are mindful that Sensational Kids is often a vital lifeline for many vulnerable children who need regular therapy input to maintain their regulation and meet their sensory needs, as well as providing specialist therapeutic supports to children and adolescents who may be self-harming, suicidal, are dealing with trauma or who suffer from anxiety. Our plan attempts to walk the fine line between carrying on, and being prudent. Therapy appointments and Assessment appointments at Sensational Kids will be facilitated […]

Sensational Kids is coming to Monaghan

February 19, 2020February 19, 2020 by Karen Leigh

Eavan Rooney, Director of Thrive Occupational Therapy announces that Sensational Kids will become the new owners from March 1st. Thrive Occupational Therapy is a highly specialised therapy practice which has been providing specialist Occupational Therapy services to children and adolescents of Monaghan and many other counties since 2014. Located in the centre of Clones, Co Monaghan, this fantastic custom-built clinic offers access to individual assessment or therapeutic intervention as well as education and training services from a highly specialised paediatric occupational therapy team. The current owner Eavan Rooney has very generously donated the clinic to Sensational Kids, a non-profit charitable organisation, who will take ownership from 1st March 2020. “It is with mixed emotions that I announce that I have made the decision to step away from Thrive; both as Clinical Director and Manager, and as Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist. It is with a heavy heart that I leave these […]

Sensational Kids announced as a Charity Partner by Ireland West Airport

February 7, 2020February 7, 2020 by Karen Leigh

Ireland West Airport announces charity partners for 2020 Annual Portwest Runway Fun Run to take place on Saturday 28th March (Friday February 7th 2020) Ireland West Airport is delighted to announce that the Childhood Cancer Foundation, The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust and Sensational Kids Charity have been selected by airport staff as its charity partners for 2020. A number of events will take place during the course of 2020 which will engage passengers and staff with the aim of raising as much money as possible for the three charities. The headline event for 2020 will again be the annual 5k runway fun run sponsored by Portwest, which will take place on the runway at Ireland West Airport on Saturday March 28h at 5pm. Runners and walkers will take-off down the runway at 5pm and complete a 5km course with a difference. All are welcome to attend what promises to be […]

Sleep Skills Parent Workshop

January 29, 2020January 29, 2020 by Karen Leigh

Does your child have difficulty with… Going to bed at night? Falling asleep at night? Sleeping in their own bed? Night time waking? This workshop is designed for parents of children who have difficulties with sleep which do not require medical investigation or medication. It focuses on the use of behavioural, sensory and communication strategies to help resolve sleep problems. This workshop will include Five sessions over a 2 month period on a Saturday afternoon to cover: o Sleep basics and sleep hygiene o Sleep disturbances o Sleep diaries o Individual sleep goals o Sleep strategies o Individual sleep plans o Parent support review sessions o Forward planning COST €200 per person Spaces limited to six parents per group Initial deposit of €50 to be paid to secure your place. Full payment before or at first session. WHEN We plan to start this parent workshop in April. WHERE This sleep […]

Free Speech & Language Therapy Advice Clinics

January 29, 2020January 29, 2020 by Karen Leigh

This is a free speech and language advice clinic for parents or anyone who may have concerns regarding a child’s speech or language development to call in and get some advice from a speech & language therapist. Book your free 15 minute consultation by calling Sensational Kids on the numbers above By appointment only

Hippotherapy Training in Greece

September 26, 2019September 26, 2019 by Karen Leigh

HUGE Congratulations to Emma, one of our Occupational Therapists in Kildare who is just back from Greece having completed her Level 2 Hippotherapy Training, making her one of just a few Occupational Therapists trained to this level in Ireland! Emma is really looking forward to putting the learning into practice in our Hippotherapy occupational therapy sessions with children. For make an appointment with Emma for occupational therapy utilising Hippotherapy phone our appointments team on 045 520900 #BetterOutcomes #Hippotherapy #MakingADifference

Coming this month… speech & language drop-in advice clinic in our Cork centre!

September 6, 2019September 6, 2019 by Beth O'Regan

A great opportunity to speak with our senior speech and language therapist about any concerns you may have in relation to speech and communication difficulties with your child. To ensure that we have time to spend with each parent/ guardian, these clinics are strictly by appointment only. Please call us in Clonakilty to book in your FREE 15 minute slot today on 02388 78208.

Hippotherapy

August 14, 2019January 14, 2020 by Karen Leigh

Our little girl is thriving, soaring to new levels and I do not know how to thank you “Just had to drop you a line………still in a state of shock – Hippotherapy went 3D! Today Natalia had a sensory integration trail, hippotherapy and motor function all incorporated in 1 session….. I was left speechless at the level of engagement, participation and cognitive flow from one task to another, coupled with having the helpers join in the sophisticated maneuver of social skills and surge in emotional behaviour. It was orchestrated magnificently that was flowing, fluid, subtle and an utter joy to behold. Our little girl is thriving, soaring to new levels and I do not know how to thank you…… I have never met a more dedicated, proficient and execution of core objectives so seamlessly in her occupational therapy sessions. Natalia (occupational therapist) is breathtaking……. Our little girl will be going […]

Speech & Language Therapy Drop In Clinic

August 2, 2019August 2, 2019 by Karen Leigh

Sensational Kids is providing a free drop in clinic at it’s child development centre in Kildare Town in August for parents who have concerns about their child’s speech or language development. Are you living in Co. Kildare or the surrounding area and have concerns about your child’s speech & language development? Help is at hand! We are delighted to provide a free Speech & Language Therapy Drop-in Advice Clinic. • 6pm-8pm on Wednesday, 21st August 2019 • 10am to 12 noon on Wednesday, 28th August 2019 There’s no need to book – just call in to have a quick chat with our Speech & Language Therapist, Kate FitzHerbert. Each advice session will last about 10-15mins. Phone Sensational Kids, Kildare (045) 520 900

Sensational Kids Clinical Services

July 24, 2019July 24, 2019 by Karen Leigh

Sensational Kids provides a range of child development services in Ireland for children and adolescents of all ages and all abilities, including occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, play therapy, educational psychological assessments, hippotherapy, and hearing tests.

Photo credit: Dermot O' Sullivan photography

Sensational Carnival brings Clonakilty together!

June 26, 2019June 26, 2019 by Beth O'Regan

Photo credit: Dermot O’ Sullivan photography

Audiologist now taking bookings in Clonakilty

June 17, 2019June 17, 2019 by Beth O'Regan

Michael Power joins our expanding Clonakilty team in July. A graduate of the school of Audiology, Institute of Laryngology and Otology, Royal National Ear, Nose and Throat hospital, Gray’s Inn road, London and University College London medical school, he is a highly experienced and professional clinical audiologist. Most recently, Michael has worked as a senior audiologist in Cork, dealing predominantly with patient referrals from ear, nose and throat consultants and has executed hearing tests for adults and children as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Prior to this, he worked on the senior audiology team in one of the largest children’s hospitals in the United Kingdom, Alder Hey, Liverpool. He was stationed in a busy Ear Nose & Throat (ENT) and Visual Reinforced Audiometry (VRA) clinic, where his duties included taking ear mould impressions for hearing aids and swimming moulds. Michael assisted patients with craniofacial abnormalities, cleft palate and otoacoustic emissions. […]

Can You Help?

June 11, 2019June 11, 2019 by Karen Leigh

Our Wish List: There are many practical ways you can lend your support to our non-profit child development centres to make a difference to the lives of children with additonal needs. Here are some items which we currently need. If you would like to contribute towards funding any of these items please get in touch us by emailing Karen@sensationalkids.ie Kildare Centre: Therapeutic Listening Music €156 3 Therapeutic Listening Music Chips to complete our therapeutic listening resources €156 Mats for Hippotherapy €186 Mats needed for occupational therapy room at Jag Equestrian Therapeutic Listening Headphones €200 1 set of therapeutic listening headphones €200 Specialist Play Therapy Books €288 Margot Sunderland therapeutic stories written for children to cover everything from death anxiety, depressed parent, the child that is treated as the rubbish bin , anger etc. One example is the “day the sea went out and never came back” Set of 12 €288.00 […]

Eli Lilly become part of our sensational story in Cork

May 28, 2019May 28, 2019 by Beth O'Regan

On 1st May, at their Dunderrow base outside Kinsale, pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly (Cork) presented a generous donation to Sensational Kids, Clonakilty. The cheque was presented to the communications officer, Beth O’ Regan, by members of the grants and donation committee and was pledged because of the huge social impact that Sensational Kids has had on the West Cork community since opening last September. They spoke of the obvious potential for having such a wonderful resource for children with additional needs in the area (and indeed their families) and their delight in helping such a worthy cause. I was thrilled to go along to accept the donation and to tell the ladies involved just how far their money would go and how many families would benefit from their kind gesture. Sensational Kids is a charity that receives no government funding. We are always so humbled and grateful to organisations for […]

Clinicial Reasoning For Occupational Therapists

May 20, 2019May 20, 2019 by Karen Leigh

We are really looking forward to welcoming back the wonderful Occupational Therapist Tracy Stackhouse from the USA to host this fantastic Workshop in Ireland this week, The SpIRiT© of Pediatric OT: The SpIRiT (Sensory processing/Integration Reasoning interactive Tool) is a mindful clinical reasoning tool for ensuring best practice in pediatric occupational therapy. The core of the SpIRiT model is derived from the theory and practice of sensory integration, as originated by A. Jean Ayres (now referred to as Ayres’ Sensory Integration, or ASI©). The model is elaborated by current work connecting basic sensory integrative processes to neural plasticity through the mechanism of evincing an adaptive response. In this model, the basic sensory processing is the lowest, bottom up influence over the neural networks that support adaptive functioning. The SpIRiT© model includes a framework for looking at sensory integrative processes with the neural processes that use the sensation for organization […]

We have our boy back

May 15, 2019May 16, 2019 by Karen Leigh

Jamie’s Story – “We have our boy back” My son Jamie first came to Sensational Kids nearly one year ago and what a year it has been. We first came as Jamie was having horrible thoughts and wanted to hurt himself, pulling terrible tantrums, and as an eight-year-old, they were very hard to handle. When I rang Sensational Kids to explain my case I was at my last wits. I got in touch with Yvonne and she has been like an angel ever since. They saw how much Jamie needed guidance. We were in for our first visit the next week and since then he has been going from strength to strength, from a child that wouldn’t go into school, and hated everyone around him and himself. Jamie has been doing play therapy with Yvonne. He loves it and can’t wait to come in. Yvonne has been talking to Jamie […]