THE number of referrals to Clare Crusader’s Clinic has jumped by 15% over the last 12 months due to the impact of Covid-19, it emerged this week.
Clinic managing director, Councillor Ann Norton confirmed there has been a significant increase in the demand for their therapists in the clinic.
A lot of work is taking place getting their therapists ready to assist children with additional needs once the primary schools re-open.
“Families with new diagnoses are constantly coming to us because they can’t access a public service. The demand was very high during our very successful summer camps.
“We were very fortunate to get a number of primary school teachers who came with new ideas. We had music therapists and a yoga teacher who was available every day. A lot of work and time was put into the summer camps.
“We will continue to provide the yoga teacher and music therapists once funds are there to provide the service,” she said.
One of the new additions in the clinic is the Lego Club, which is generating great excitement amongst therapists and children thanks to the provision of high technology linking a new Lego made toy car or piece of equipment to be electronically controlled by a computer.
This will allow children to build a piece of Lego that can move with the help of a laptop.
“Social interaction is so important for children with additional needs. We are looking at new ways to help children communicate with others even if they are not verbal through music therapy, yoga and Lego in a group,” she explained.
East Clare correspondent, Dan Danaher is a journalism graduate of Rathmines and UL. He has won numerous awards for special investigations on health, justice, environment, and reports on news, agriculture, disability, mental health and community.