My little boy absolutely loves going to CATTS. He loves playing all his 'games' and 'sound games' and thinks it is great fun. Marijke makes every minute of speech therapy fun and exciting. It is lovely to see my little boy progress in a fun, warm environment. Marijke is warm and provides great guidance and support for home. Marijke always responds to queries in a timely manner. Learning is made fun. He has made improvements in speech sounds and is now more susceptible to fixing up errors without resistance.

Really Great Event. Well done CATTS ?

Efficient, excellent communication and follow up post classes, excellent advice for further at hone progress.

This was a fun, interactive course. Marijke was very good, and patient, friendly and funny.

Public speaking is a significant feature of my job. An injury at work meant I had to step back from this aspect of my work. Present for me also was an underlying worry whether I would be able to overcome the resultant speech issues. Step by step, like completing a jig-saw, Marijke systematically took me through the various steps towards recovery with an additional, unexpected bonus of learning to use my voice properly when public speaking. This was never covered when I first trained in public speaking twenty years ago. I did my homework between sessions but I learned that I did not always execute the practices correctly. It was this expert correction and feedback from Marijke that was invaluable! Thank you !

"This is a great service, he really looks forward to the therapy sessions."

Everyone has commented on how well my son's speech has come on.
His speech is more relevant to what is happening around him. Today, he answered a 'Where' question for the first time appropriately without being prompted first.

"Catts Ireland is providing a superb vital service for children"

“I liked learning sign language so it can help me communicate with my cousin and each other.”

With the rollout of Progressing Disabilities its so important to build awareness on family centred practice. Thank you for bringing this and other courses to Ireland.

I liked the structure of the day. The associations Marijke used helped me to remember the signs. I also like that the games reinforced the signs. Plus the sweets as rewards!

A very professional but friendly and focused to each individual child's needs.

I liked the enthusiasm of the presenter. It was really interactive, clear and well paced.

I've joined so many groups etc to try help [NAME], this one is really useful. I do need to ask more questions though lol.

I liked the way the 100 words were split out throughout the day. Not information overload. Very enjoyable - the day flew!

[NAME] always had a 'difficult' relationship with his speech therapists from his service providers. CATTS therapists are totally different, young & energetic & determined to get the best out of him.

The sessions are fun and she always strives to remember what works for our son down to the smallest details. Our SLT always made sessions fun and engaging but also was able to get the most out of each session which is so important when dealing with intellectual disability.

We have been attending CATTS for over 5 years and can only recommend them to anyone looking for a friendly and professional service. My child's speech, communication and confidence has made huge improvements consistently over the years. He's gone from a child who was frustrated with very little words and screamed to let us know what he needed to now working on grammar! The sessions are always fun to keep him interested and focused on his needs and exactly what he should be working on. This progress wouldn't have been possible if I hadn't been attending Marijke at CATTS.

Lovely facilities, nice class size. Amazing that only 3 rows back, it felt small and intimate.

“What I liked: Use of videos as well as slides. The variety of signs taught. Relaxed atmosphere – had a laugh while learning signs.”

Found Marijke very enjoyable as a teacher. Made the course a lot more intereting and easier to learn.

Refreshing no-nonsense parent’s perspective.

Excellent. Very informative and Patty was wonderfully engaging. Learned so much!

I learned more ways to create communication opportunities.

The best thing about CATTS is the experience of the Speech Therapist. How she engages with my son. He understands a lot more, his receptive language has improved greatly since starting.

The CATTS team were so friendly and enthusiastic. We all felt really well looked after.

Thoroughly enjoyed the class. Marijke makes learning fun!

Without a doubt my son's progression is down to Marijke's involvement. I think the best thing about CATTS service is that they value parents and external therapists input and have no problem liaising with outside services (i.e. HSE, Enable Ireland, etc). We have both learned techniques/ mechanisms to increase speech and reduce fustration. Definate drop in NAME's distress.

The progress my son has made over the last year is astounding. Marijke is a fabulous therapist. It is obvious she enjoys her job and cares for her clients. I appreciate the value CATTS places on parent involvement ant think the tips / techniques provided to use at home have proved to be very successful. We are 100% satisfied with the service CATTS provide.

"I enjoyed the group interaction. Moving between theory and practical Lamh signs has helped me to concentrate for the entirety of the day.”

Patty is an excellent presenter, very knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

Amazing, Well planned, Very impressed with Lisa’s knowledge as a mother.

“I liked the positive interaction between the tutor & learners.”

I learned so many new signs and lots of different ways to approach kids to create conversation opportunities.

The best thing about CATTS is that each session is individually tailored to that child's need at that time and carried out in a fun way.

CATTS is an excellent service providing Speech and Language which is highly needed for children with special needs.

"Very interesting. Benefits us especially while working with kids - learned so many things I never knew e.g. DVD, and apps"

I have been using CATTS for several month with my daughter. What started off as a very difficult appointment every week (with another service), now my daughter is happy to enter the room immediately and engage with Marijke. I see an improvement at every appointment. I would be lost if I had not found CATTS.

"My thanks to you and Marijke for the excellent staff and responsive service that you have provided in CATTS."
Large Residential Service Provider

Very happy with the speech service my son is getting through CATTS. The therapist is working very well with my son and gets the best out of him. Only for this service my son would be getting no speech. I am very grateful.

Niamh is phenomenal! She is so talented at working with children in a fun and relaxed way. My 9 year old didn't even realize any of it was work. He looked forward to every session and that is due to Niamh and her kindness and skill.

Huge amount of useful info. Video clips were useful.
Excellent topic and event. It is difficult to get the opportunity to learn from the main experts in specific fields.

[NAME] settled well. He found it hard first time but after a few sessions he got used to being there and started to work well. He makes more sounds now and is copying the words after us.

Excellently covered by Patty, I am walking away feeling a lot more confident that my clients will receive better therapy.

100% of Speech Therapy clients surveyed would recommend CATTS to a friend or family member!

Lisa is very inspiring, very practical and we benefited most from the presenter’s own experience. Enjoyed the positive approach of presenter – I feel invigorated

[NAME] is very happy and is progressing. My son has built a lot of confidence since starting therapy, our family & friends really see a difference in his abilities.

"I enjoyed doing the signs and activity. I think that this will help me in the future with being a special needs assistant"

I was a bit hesitant at first to ask a question, but once I did, she was really quick getting back to me with pointers and things to do.

Good cooperation with parents to help special needs kids. Excellent Speech therapy support for kids with ASD.

"Great anecdotes helped me associate the words with the sign."

I have been attending CATTS with my son for 5 years now and the service we have received is fantastic. Marijke is a wonderful therapist and my son's speech and communication has come on so much from when he started from a no-verbal little boy to a fully verbal child now. Marijke has each session planned to meet his needs and I feel fully involved. We travel a long distance to each session but it is worth it to see the difference in my son's communication and confidence.

“I enjoyed the games, these were practical and helped consolidate our learning and helped us to retain the new signs.”

The energy of the course and how it was taught. Great information that will stay in my brain!

This is a great idea. It really helps to have a resource on hand you can trust

Patty’s approach to teaching was so engaging, she has a wealth of knowledge and a lovely way of delivering information. A really enjoyable experience overall.

"Loved the training style. Very enjoyable day."

“I’ve enjoyed learning everything about Lamh, including watching videos, doing games and working in group. It was very interesting.”

I enjoyed the interaction and the humour!

“I’ve learned so many signs and how to effectively communicate with residents.”

The BEST THING about CATTS is the One to One service, Great Advice and Tips to work on at home!

I learned how to put Lamh into the school setting where I work. How to plan and create situations where I can use it.

CATTS work really well with my child's school resource teacher and SNA to insure my child has every opportunity to improve his communication skills.

I liked the way the tutor presented the class. It enabled me to learn in a relaxed way. Her coverage was fantastic. I would attend another class hosted by her.

"Very helpful when we asked questions - she didn't hesitate to answer anything we asked"

The best thing about CATTS therapy is the tailored sessions and continuous review of what is working.

[NAME] enjoys going to Marijke and I feel the work being done is addressing [NAME]'s needs. We attended other speech therapists in the past and whilst they also helped I think CATTS' way of establishing where [NAME]'s main areas of need are, is very good.

"Our therapist obviously puts a lot of thought and effort into each of [NAME]'s sessions, very creative to get the best out of him."

Social interaction, speech has come on, both expressive and receptive. I'm more relaxed and reassured because I feel supported.

Since starting speech therapy my daughters speech has improved considerably. Her language skills and comprehension have also seen a huge improvement.  She is more confident and thrives on the positive feedback about her progress. I love that the program is designed to meet her needs and grows with her.

"Nice people, good understanding with asd kids."

I learned a lot more than I expected to! thank you .

I liked the way nobody was singled out. The signs were demonstrated as a group.

Since starting with CATTS, my son's confidence has improved, he is involved more socially and he is not as anxious.

"Am so happy with speech therapy. She knows how to encourage my son to attempt to say words. He wouldn't have even tried for other therapists. (Therapist) has a fantastic way with him. And out of all the speech therapists we've attended over the years, both public and private, this has been the best by far. Highly recommend. Only annoyed we didn't know about it before. We would have taken him years ago."

CATTS Ireland were good and helpful hosts.
Great course. Need more interdisciplinary type courses in Ireland!

Great Content. Well organised.
All members of the CATTS team were friendly and helpful. They were always providing much needed information.

I liked the multiple steps in learning signs - helped memory.

I liked your enthuasian and how personable and approachable you are. So much was covered and I liked how you were willng to show us lots of other sign.

CATTS are very flexible. My child loves coming and my child understands the speech therapist's instructions, which is very important to me.

Would highly recommend CATTS. I have seen a big difference in my child since his first session. The biggest has been learning to wait. [NAME] has come along so much, now his vocab is coming on better and better everyday. Since starting the sessions the whole family have joined in to learn what we do in every session and really enjoy learning how to really have fun on [NAME]'s level. it is great to see [NAME] so excited when we get out of the car and see Marijke's door. He knows where he is going and really enjoys it which makes it really enjoyable for us to look at. Thank you.

Thought the tutor (Marijke) was excellent. Really easy to listen to, so easy to learn from. Made the day fun. Kept you focused.

Very informative course, learned a lot both theoretical and practical from a very skilled presenter.

"Since starting speech therapy my daughters speech has improved considerably. Her language skills and comprehension have also seen a huge improvement. She is more confident and thrives on the positive feedback about her progress. I love that the program is designed to meet her needs and grows with her."

Very beneficial program. I learnt a lot of strategies to help me.

I like the fact that you can look at the videos and browse the group at your own pace.

Am so happy with speech therapy. She knows how to encourage my son to attempt to say words. He wouldn't have even tried for other therapists. (Therapist) has a fantastic way with him. And out of all the speech therapists we've attended over the years, both public and private, this has been the best by far. Highly recommend.

The best thing is that my daughter's needs, strengths and weaknesses are being met, understood and worked on. Going at her pace, with patience.

I think the best thing about CATTS is the professional service. The therapists are very skilled and it is of huge benefit to my child.

“I thought the course was made very interesting because it was informal and amusing at times. I was surprised at how the Lamh signs stuck in my mind.”

I learned how I can use signs to help children communicate on a one to one basis or in a group to encourage social and language skills in an informal way.
Learned more than I thought I would at one sitting!

Public speaking is a significant feature of my job. An injury at work meant I had to step back from this aspect of my work. Present for me also was an underlying worry whether I would be able to overcome the resultant speech issues. Step by step, like completing a jig-saw, Marijke systematically took me through the various steps towards recovery with an additional, unexpected bonus of learning to use my voice properly when public speaking. This was never covered when I first trained in public speaking twenty years ago. I did my homework between sessions but I learned that I did not always execute the practices correctly. It was this expert correction and feedback from Marijke that was invaluable! Thank you !

Marijke was excellent - brilliant tutor.

I liked Marijke as a Lamh tutor. She was extremely engaging and personable. I like how it was fun during the lesson.

Great few days. Very professionally done and all needs tended to and anticipated

I learned 100 signs to go away and teach my autistic child.

Very well organised event. - Looking forward to the next CATTS CPD event. Thank you!

The energy and humour of the presenter helps me remember. Marijke delivered it very well and made it very informative and enjoyable! 🙂

I am very happy with the service we have received with [Therapist]. After 2 sessions [NAME] had started saying 'more', 'again', 'up', 'down' and is continuing to add new words each week.

I learned a lot of new Lamh signs

I liked that the day was active ad no one was put on the spot!

I learned how to think about how it might feel to not be able to communicate. I learned not only about the signs but also how to associate them with other things to remember them. I also learned how to 'teach' the signs in an effective way with the kids.

I find our therapist Brilliant! She gives great tips and is excellent in engaging with my son. It is much improved for primary school as he can tell me things that happen in his summer setting, which is less frustrating for him and less worrying for me.

Very happy with the attention and detail [NAME] gets at each session. Each session is setup in advance and if a games doesn't go to plan there is always a backup nearby.

I like the no rushing of each session so it can respond to what [NAME] needs on the day. He has opened up so much and has become more confident as time goes on.

I learned a lot of signs I didn't know and how to teach them to my brother. I'll finally be able to have a proper conversation with him.

"Marijke made the day very funny and interesting."

CATTS has a great system that definitely works.
[Therapist] just makes him feel do comfortable. [NAME] has come along so well since we started CATTS. Me and [NAME] have a great communication now and he barely spoke 2 words when we started. Now he is flying with his vocab. We couldn't be prowder.

The best thing is the therapist's genuine interest in my child and getting to know her and what works best for her - in particular a shared passion for Pokemon! I have noticed improvements in pronunciation of words, developments of language and improvements of winning / losing scenarios.

Really enjoyed the course, excellent information & presenter.

I am very happy with the progress that my daughter has made since we started to come to CATTS. The service is professional, on point and there is a genuine interest in the child. Every session is different with a combination of work and games which is very effective. There are adequate breaks which is very important and an excellent understanding of my daughter's ASD and ADHD. The games and lesson plans tie in very naturally with whats going on with school and at home and this makes the sessions valuable and effective with excellent learning and development for my daughter. I have recommended CATTS to many other mums and will continue to do so.

Overall Satisfaction: 96%
Value for Money: 92%

The day was fun! Marijke made it fun and easy to learn. Really enjoying. Good craic.

That's fantastic thanks so much for all of those strategies! I want to maximise on this latest development with his desire to vocalise sounds and some words! Thanks a million!

A Super Day! A wealth of knowledge. Loved the detail and attention to accuracy. Thank you.

“I thought it was very well presented. Not only was it about Lamh sign; it was about communication.”

I am very satisfied with the treatment I got from CATTS. I was a bit apprehensive but the friendly, professional attitude of the therapist put me at my ease. The comparison of my performance at the start of treatment and at the six-monthly follow up showed that my voice had improved both in volume and range. I am more than pleased.

I learned lots of new signs. Can't wait to learn more.

“I’ve learned 100 Lamh signs. I’ve learned ways to use them and importance of repetition. I’ve enjoyed Marijke’s energetic method of teaching.”

I really enjoyed Patty, loved her style, stories and analogies

I liked Marijke. You made the course interesting and fun.

I came away with far more than I could have imagined

I learned a lot of new signs and that it's possible to learn a lot of signs in a relatively short space of time.

Good insight into different behaviours of autism which was based in the real world. Really excellent

CATTS really know how to attract great speakers. Really professionally run event. Felt very well looked after.

I think the best thing is our therapist's approach to dealing with my sometimes difficult child.

I learned over 100 signs which will make it a lot easier to communicate with my child.

We researched a lot of places and time and time again CATTS was recommended to us. We are so glad we listened as we have seen great progress in our son. [Therapist] just "gets him" and its so nice to have a positive experience all the while our son is doing some "work".

Marijke made it very easy to learn and very entertaining! ?

I liked the structure of the class. Marijke made the class fun and enjoyable to learn the different signs.

“What did I like: being able to communicate with Lamh user. Brilliant course. Would recommend it to other people.”

My son has attended regularly for some months now, and responded very early on to the use of Lámh. He has made good progress and enjoys going to sessions. Overall would highly recommend Marijke as an SLT.

"I learned how important it is to communicate. I hope it will make life happier for the service users.”

The best thing about CATTS therapy is the tailored sessions and continuous review of what is working.

I enjoyed the interaction and the humour!

I learned how to think about how it might feel to not be able to communicate. I learned not only about the signs but also how to associate them with other things to remember them. I also learned how to 'teach' the signs in an effective way with the kids.

Good insight into different behaviours of autism which was based in the real world. Really excellent

My little boy absolutely loves going to CATTS. He loves playing all his 'games' and 'sound games' and thinks it is great fun. Marijke makes every minute of speech therapy fun and exciting. It is lovely to see my little boy progress in a fun, warm environment. Marijke is warm and provides great guidance and support for home. Marijke always responds to queries in a timely manner. Learning is made fun. He has made improvements in speech sounds and is now more susceptible to fixing up errors without resistance.

I liked the enthusiasm of the presenter. It was really interactive, clear and well paced.

“I enjoyed the games, these were practical and helped consolidate our learning and helped us to retain the new signs.”

A Super Day! A wealth of knowledge. Loved the detail and attention to accuracy. Thank you.

Marijke was excellent - brilliant tutor.

Excellently covered by Patty, I am walking away feeling a lot more confident that my clients will receive better therapy.

Would highly recommend CATTS. I have seen a big difference in my child since his first session. The biggest has been learning to wait. [NAME] has come along so much, now his vocab is coming on better and better everyday. Since starting the sessions the whole family have joined in to learn what we do in every session and really enjoy learning how to really have fun on [NAME]'s level. it is great to see [NAME] so excited when we get out of the car and see Marijke's door. He knows where he is going and really enjoys it which makes it really enjoyable for us to look at. Thank you.

The BEST THING about CATTS is the One to One service, Great Advice and Tips to work on at home!

The day was fun! Marijke made it fun and easy to learn. Really enjoying. Good craic.

We've seen improvement from day one. We've also learned a lot from watching her work. My son enjoys his sessions with Marijke, she somehow manages to get a 4 year old to focus for the whole session and have fun while doing it. We're seeing constant improvement.

Marijke made it very easy to learn and very entertaining! ?

I have been using CATTS for several month with my daughter. What started off as a very difficult appointment every week (with another service), now my daughter is happy to enter the room immediately and engage with Marijke. I see an improvement at every appointment. I would be lost if I had not found CATTS.

Very well organised event. - Looking forward to the next CATTS CPD event. Thank you!

I came away with far more than I could have imagined

I liked the way the tutor presented the class. It enabled me to learn in a relaxed way. Her coverage was fantastic. I would attend another class hosted by her.

"Loved the training style. Very enjoyable day."

“I’ve learned so many signs and how to effectively communicate with residents.”

“I’ve enjoyed learning everything about Lamh, including watching videos, doing games and working in group. It was very interesting.”

I like the fact that you can look at the videos and browse the group at your own pace.

I liked that the day was active ad no one was put on the spot!

I am very happy with the service we have received with [Therapist]. After 2 sessions [NAME] had started saying 'more', 'again', 'up', 'down' and is continuing to add new words each week.

CATTS has a great system that definitely works.
[Therapist] just makes him feel do comfortable. [NAME] has come along so well since we started CATTS. Me and [NAME] have a great communication now and he barely spoke 2 words when we started. Now he is flying with his vocab. We couldn't be prowder.

I learned how I can use signs to help children communicate on a one to one basis or in a group to encourage social and language skills in an informal way.
Learned more than I thought I would at one sitting!

"This is a great service, he really looks forward to the therapy sessions."

"Marijke made the day very funny and interesting."

"I enjoyed the group interaction. Moving between theory and practical Lamh signs has helped me to concentrate for the entirety of the day.”

The energy of the course and how it was taught. Great information that will stay in my brain!

Social interaction, speech has come on, both expressive and receptive. I'm more relaxed and reassured because I feel supported.

I think the best thing is our therapist's approach to dealing with my sometimes difficult child.

Really Great Event. Well done CATTS ?

I learned over 100 signs which will make it a lot easier to communicate with my child.

I learned how to put Lamh into the school setting where I work. How to plan and create situations where I can use it.

The sessions are fun and she always strives to remember what works for our son down to the smallest details. Our SLT always made sessions fun and engaging but also was able to get the most out of each session which is so important when dealing with intellectual disability.

"Our therapist obviously puts a lot of thought and effort into each of [NAME]'s sessions, very creative to get the best out of him."

I learned so many new signs and lots of different ways to approach kids to create conversation opportunities.

The best thing about CATTS is that each session is individually tailored to that child's need at that time and carried out in a fun way.

The energy and humour of the presenter helps me remember. Marijke delivered it very well and made it very informative and enjoyable! 🙂

I was a bit hesitant at first to ask a question, but once I did, she was really quick getting back to me with pointers and things to do.

“I liked the positive interaction between the tutor & learners.”

[NAME] settled well. He found it hard first time but after a few sessions he got used to being there and started to work well. He makes more sounds now and is copying the words after us.

"Since starting speech therapy my daughters speech has improved considerably. Her language skills and comprehension have also seen a huge improvement. She is more confident and thrives on the positive feedback about her progress. I love that the program is designed to meet her needs and grows with her."

Very happy with the speech service my son is getting through CATTS. The therapist is working very well with my son and gets the best out of him. Only for this service my son would be getting no speech. I am very grateful.

Niamh is phenomenal! She is so talented at working with children in a fun and relaxed way. My 9 year old didn't even realize any of it was work. He looked forward to every session and that is due to Niamh and her kindness and skill.

Thoroughly enjoyed the class. Marijke makes learning fun!

The best thing is that my daughter's needs, strengths and weaknesses are being met, understood and worked on. Going at her pace, with patience.

[NAME] is very happy and is progressing. My son has built a lot of confidence since starting therapy, our family & friends really see a difference in his abilities.

"Nice people, good understanding with asd kids."

[NAME] enjoys going to Marijke and I feel the work being done is addressing [NAME]'s needs. We attended other speech therapists in the past and whilst they also helped I think CATTS' way of establishing where [NAME]'s main areas of need are, is very good.

I find our therapist Brilliant! She gives great tips and is excellent in engaging with my son. It is much improved for primary school as he can tell me things that happen in his summer setting, which is less frustrating for him and less worrying for me.

Huge amount of useful info. Video clips were useful.
Excellent topic and event. It is difficult to get the opportunity to learn from the main experts in specific fields.

Great Content. Well organised.
All members of the CATTS team were friendly and helpful. They were always providing much needed information.

Efficient, excellent communication and follow up post classes, excellent advice for further at hone progress.

“I liked learning sign language so it can help me communicate with my cousin and each other.”

A very professional but friendly and focused to each individual child's needs.

I learned 100 signs to go away and teach my autistic child.

I liked Marijke as a Lamh tutor. She was extremely engaging and personable. I like how it was fun during the lesson.

Lisa is very inspiring, very practical and we benefited most from the presenter’s own experience. Enjoyed the positive approach of presenter – I feel invigorated

I learned a lot of new signs and that it's possible to learn a lot of signs in a relatively short space of time.

[NAME] always had a 'difficult' relationship with his speech therapists from his service providers. CATTS therapists are totally different, young & energetic & determined to get the best out of him.

I learned more ways to create communication opportunities.

The CATTS team were so friendly and enthusiastic. We all felt really well looked after.

Found Marijke very enjoyable as a teacher. Made the course a lot more intereting and easier to learn.

The best thing about CATTS is the experience of the Speech Therapist. How she engages with my son. He understands a lot more, his receptive language has improved greatly since starting.

Amazing, Well planned, Very impressed with Lisa’s knowledge as a mother.

This was a fun, interactive course. Marijke was very good, and patient, friendly and funny.

My son has attended regularly for some months now, and responded very early on to the use of Lámh. He has made good progress and enjoys going to sessions. Overall would highly recommend Marijke as an SLT.

I liked the way the 100 words were split out throughout the day. Not information overload. Very enjoyable - the day flew!

Great few days. Very professionally done and all needs tended to and anticipated

Overall Satisfaction: 96%
Value for Money: 92%

Good cooperation with parents to help special needs kids. Excellent Speech therapy support for kids with ASD.

"I enjoyed doing the signs and activity. I think that this will help me in the future with being a special needs assistant"

We have been attending CATTS for over 5 years and can only recommend them to anyone looking for a friendly and professional service. My child's speech, communication and confidence has made huge improvements consistently over the years. He's gone from a child who was frustrated with very little words and screamed to let us know what he needed to now working on grammar! The sessions are always fun to keep him interested and focused on his needs and exactly what he should be working on. This progress wouldn't have been possible if I hadn't been attending Marijke at CATTS.

I liked the structure of the class. Marijke made the class fun and enjoyable to learn the different signs.

I learned lots of new signs. Can't wait to learn more.

Excellent. Very informative and Patty was wonderfully engaging. Learned so much!

“I thought it was very well presented. Not only was it about Lamh sign; it was about communication.”

I learned a lot of new Lamh signs

Everyone has commented on how well my son's speech has come on.
His speech is more relevant to what is happening around him. Today, he answered a 'Where' question for the first time appropriately without being prompted first.

I am very satisfied with the treatment I got from CATTS. I was a bit apprehensive but the friendly, professional attitude of the therapist put me at my ease. The comparison of my performance at the start of treatment and at the six-monthly follow up showed that my voice had improved both in volume and range. I am more than pleased.

I learned a lot of signs I didn't know and how to teach them to my brother. I'll finally be able to have a proper conversation with him.

That's fantastic thanks so much for all of those strategies! I want to maximise on this latest development with his desire to vocalise sounds and some words! Thanks a million!

CATTS Ireland were good and helpful hosts.
Great course. Need more interdisciplinary type courses in Ireland!

Since starting speech therapy my daughters speech has improved considerably. Her language skills and comprehension have also seen a huge improvement.  She is more confident and thrives on the positive feedback about her progress. I love that the program is designed to meet her needs and grows with her.

"My thanks to you and Marijke for the excellent staff and responsive service that you have provided in CATTS."
Large Residential Service Provider

“I thought the course was made very interesting because it was informal and amusing at times. I was surprised at how the Lamh signs stuck in my mind.”

Public speaking is a significant feature of my job. An injury at work meant I had to step back from this aspect of my work. Present for me also was an underlying worry whether I would be able to overcome the resultant speech issues. Step by step, like completing a jig-saw, Marijke systematically took me through the various steps towards recovery with an additional, unexpected bonus of learning to use my voice properly when public speaking. This was never covered when I first trained in public speaking twenty years ago. I did my homework between sessions but I learned that I did not always execute the practices correctly. It was this expert correction and feedback from Marijke that was invaluable! Thank you !

CATTS work really well with my child's school resource teacher and SNA to insure my child has every opportunity to improve his communication skills.

Since starting with CATTS, my son's confidence has improved, he is involved more socially and he is not as anxious.

100% of Speech Therapy clients surveyed would recommend CATTS to a friend or family member!

I have been attending CATTS with my son for 5 years now and the service we have received is fantastic. Marijke is a wonderful therapist and my son's speech and communication has come on so much from when he started from a no-verbal little boy to a fully verbal child now. Marijke has each session planned to meet his needs and I feel fully involved. We travel a long distance to each session but it is worth it to see the difference in my son's communication and confidence.

Patty’s approach to teaching was so engaging, she has a wealth of knowledge and a lovely way of delivering information. A really enjoyable experience overall.

Patty is an excellent presenter, very knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

“What I liked: Use of videos as well as slides. The variety of signs taught. Relaxed atmosphere – had a laugh while learning signs.”

“I’ve learned 100 Lamh signs. I’ve learned ways to use them and importance of repetition. I’ve enjoyed Marijke’s energetic method of teaching.”

Very happy with the attention and detail [NAME] gets at each session. Each session is setup in advance and if a games doesn't go to plan there is always a backup nearby.

I like the no rushing of each session so it can respond to what [NAME] needs on the day. He has opened up so much and has become more confident as time goes on.

CATTS are very flexible. My child loves coming and my child understands the speech therapist's instructions, which is very important to me.

Thought the tutor (Marijke) was excellent. Really easy to listen to, so easy to learn from. Made the day fun. Kept you focused.

CATTS really know how to attract great speakers. Really professionally run event. Felt very well looked after.

"I learned how important it is to communicate. I hope it will make life happier for the service users.”

“What did I like: being able to communicate with Lamh user. Brilliant course. Would recommend it to other people.”

"Very interesting. Benefits us especially while working with kids - learned so many things I never knew e.g. DVD, and apps"

I liked the multiple steps in learning signs - helped memory.

We researched a lot of places and time and time again CATTS was recommended to us. We are so glad we listened as we have seen great progress in our son. [Therapist] just "gets him" and its so nice to have a positive experience all the while our son is doing some "work".

CATTS is an excellent service providing Speech and Language which is highly needed for children with special needs.

Public speaking is a significant feature of my job. An injury at work meant I had to step back from this aspect of my work. Present for me also was an underlying worry whether I would be able to overcome the resultant speech issues. Step by step, like completing a jig-saw, Marijke systematically took me through the various steps towards recovery with an additional, unexpected bonus of learning to use my voice properly when public speaking. This was never covered when I first trained in public speaking twenty years ago. I did my homework between sessions but I learned that I did not always execute the practices correctly. It was this expert correction and feedback from Marijke that was invaluable! Thank you !

I liked the structure of the day. The associations Marijke used helped me to remember the signs. I also like that the games reinforced the signs. Plus the sweets as rewards!

I liked your enthuasian and how personable and approachable you are. So much was covered and I liked how you were willng to show us lots of other sign.

I've joined so many groups etc to try help [NAME], this one is really useful. I do need to ask more questions though lol.

"Am so happy with speech therapy. She knows how to encourage my son to attempt to say words. He wouldn't have even tried for other therapists. (Therapist) has a fantastic way with him. And out of all the speech therapists we've attended over the years, both public and private, this has been the best by far. Highly recommend. Only annoyed we didn't know about it before. We would have taken him years ago."

This is a great idea. It really helps to have a resource on hand you can trust

I think the best thing about CATTS is the professional service. The therapists are very skilled and it is of huge benefit to my child.

Refreshing no-nonsense parent’s perspective.

Very beneficial program. I learnt a lot of strategies to help me.

Really enjoyed the course, excellent information & presenter.

I am very happy with the progress that my daughter has made since we started to come to CATTS. The service is professional, on point and there is a genuine interest in the child. Every session is different with a combination of work and games which is very effective. There are adequate breaks which is very important and an excellent understanding of my daughter's ASD and ADHD. The games and lesson plans tie in very naturally with whats going on with school and at home and this makes the sessions valuable and effective with excellent learning and development for my daughter. I have recommended CATTS to many other mums and will continue to do so.

"Very helpful when we asked questions - she didn't hesitate to answer anything we asked"

The best thing is the therapist's genuine interest in my child and getting to know her and what works best for her - in particular a shared passion for Pokemon! I have noticed improvements in pronunciation of words, developments of language and improvements of winning / losing scenarios.

Without a doubt my son's progression is down to Marijke's involvement. I think the best thing about CATTS service is that they value parents and external therapists input and have no problem liaising with outside services (i.e. HSE, Enable Ireland, etc). We have both learned techniques/ mechanisms to increase speech and reduce fustration. Definate drop in NAME's distress.

The progress my son has made over the last year is astounding. Marijke is a fabulous therapist. It is obvious she enjoys her job and cares for her clients. I appreciate the value CATTS places on parent involvement ant think the tips / techniques provided to use at home have proved to be very successful. We are 100% satisfied with the service CATTS provide.

I liked Marijke. You made the course interesting and fun.

Very informative course, learned a lot both theoretical and practical from a very skilled presenter.

I liked the way nobody was singled out. The signs were demonstrated as a group.

Am so happy with speech therapy. She knows how to encourage my son to attempt to say words. He wouldn't have even tried for other therapists. (Therapist) has a fantastic way with him. And out of all the speech therapists we've attended over the years, both public and private, this has been the best by far. Highly recommend.

I really enjoyed Patty, loved her style, stories and analogies

Lovely facilities, nice class size. Amazing that only 3 rows back, it felt small and intimate.

With the rollout of Progressing Disabilities its so important to build awareness on family centred practice. Thank you for bringing this and other courses to Ireland.

"Catts Ireland is providing a superb vital service for children"

"Great anecdotes helped me associate the words with the sign."

Amazing, Well planned, Very impressed with Lisa’s knowledge as a mother.

I find our therapist Brilliant! She gives great tips and is excellent in engaging with my son. It is much improved for primary school as he can tell me things that happen in his summer setting, which is less frustrating for him and less worrying for me.

I liked that the day was active ad no one was put on the spot!

This was a fun, interactive course. Marijke was very good, and patient, friendly and funny.

[NAME] enjoys going to Marijke and I feel the work being done is addressing [NAME]'s needs. We attended other speech therapists in the past and whilst they also helped I think CATTS' way of establishing where [NAME]'s main areas of need are, is very good.

My son has attended regularly for some months now, and responded very early on to the use of Lámh. He has made good progress and enjoys going to sessions. Overall would highly recommend Marijke as an SLT.

100% of Speech Therapy clients surveyed would recommend CATTS to a friend or family member!

"This is a great service, he really looks forward to the therapy sessions."

Very happy with the speech service my son is getting through CATTS. The therapist is working very well with my son and gets the best out of him. Only for this service my son would be getting no speech. I am very grateful.

My little boy absolutely loves going to CATTS. He loves playing all his 'games' and 'sound games' and thinks it is great fun. Marijke makes every minute of speech therapy fun and exciting. It is lovely to see my little boy progress in a fun, warm environment. Marijke is warm and provides great guidance and support for home. Marijke always responds to queries in a timely manner. Learning is made fun. He has made improvements in speech sounds and is now more susceptible to fixing up errors without resistance.

"Very interesting. Benefits us especially while working with kids - learned so many things I never knew e.g. DVD, and apps"

We researched a lot of places and time and time again CATTS was recommended to us. We are so glad we listened as we have seen great progress in our son. [Therapist] just "gets him" and its so nice to have a positive experience all the while our son is doing some "work".

"Great anecdotes helped me associate the words with the sign."

With the rollout of Progressing Disabilities its so important to build awareness on family centred practice. Thank you for bringing this and other courses to Ireland.

Marijke was excellent - brilliant tutor.

Since starting speech therapy my daughters speech has improved considerably. Her language skills and comprehension have also seen a huge improvement.  She is more confident and thrives on the positive feedback about her progress. I love that the program is designed to meet her needs and grows with her.

I learned 100 signs to go away and teach my autistic child.

This is a great idea. It really helps to have a resource on hand you can trust

A Super Day! A wealth of knowledge. Loved the detail and attention to accuracy. Thank you.

I learned a lot of signs I didn't know and how to teach them to my brother. I'll finally be able to have a proper conversation with him.

I think the best thing about CATTS is the professional service. The therapists are very skilled and it is of huge benefit to my child.

I learned so many new signs and lots of different ways to approach kids to create conversation opportunities.

The best thing is that my daughter's needs, strengths and weaknesses are being met, understood and worked on. Going at her pace, with patience.

I liked the way nobody was singled out. The signs were demonstrated as a group.

I liked the multiple steps in learning signs - helped memory.

Very well organised event. - Looking forward to the next CATTS CPD event. Thank you!

Thoroughly enjoyed the class. Marijke makes learning fun!

Lovely facilities, nice class size. Amazing that only 3 rows back, it felt small and intimate.

“I liked the positive interaction between the tutor & learners.”

Huge amount of useful info. Video clips were useful.
Excellent topic and event. It is difficult to get the opportunity to learn from the main experts in specific fields.

Lisa is very inspiring, very practical and we benefited most from the presenter’s own experience. Enjoyed the positive approach of presenter – I feel invigorated

I have been attending CATTS with my son for 5 years now and the service we have received is fantastic. Marijke is a wonderful therapist and my son's speech and communication has come on so much from when he started from a no-verbal little boy to a fully verbal child now. Marijke has each session planned to meet his needs and I feel fully involved. We travel a long distance to each session but it is worth it to see the difference in my son's communication and confidence.

Would highly recommend CATTS. I have seen a big difference in my child since his first session. The biggest has been learning to wait. [NAME] has come along so much, now his vocab is coming on better and better everyday. Since starting the sessions the whole family have joined in to learn what we do in every session and really enjoy learning how to really have fun on [NAME]'s level. it is great to see [NAME] so excited when we get out of the car and see Marijke's door. He knows where he is going and really enjoys it which makes it really enjoyable for us to look at. Thank you.

The best thing about CATTS therapy is the tailored sessions and continuous review of what is working.

"Our therapist obviously puts a lot of thought and effort into each of [NAME]'s sessions, very creative to get the best out of him."

Good insight into different behaviours of autism which was based in the real world. Really excellent

I liked the enthusiasm of the presenter. It was really interactive, clear and well paced.

I am very happy with the progress that my daughter has made since we started to come to CATTS. The service is professional, on point and there is a genuine interest in the child. Every session is different with a combination of work and games which is very effective. There are adequate breaks which is very important and an excellent understanding of my daughter's ASD and ADHD. The games and lesson plans tie in very naturally with whats going on with school and at home and this makes the sessions valuable and effective with excellent learning and development for my daughter. I have recommended CATTS to many other mums and will continue to do so.

I liked the way the 100 words were split out throughout the day. Not information overload. Very enjoyable - the day flew!

“I’ve enjoyed learning everything about Lamh, including watching videos, doing games and working in group. It was very interesting.”

[NAME] is very happy and is progressing. My son has built a lot of confidence since starting therapy, our family & friends really see a difference in his abilities.

The BEST THING about CATTS is the One to One service, Great Advice and Tips to work on at home!

"Since starting speech therapy my daughters speech has improved considerably. Her language skills and comprehension have also seen a huge improvement. She is more confident and thrives on the positive feedback about her progress. I love that the program is designed to meet her needs and grows with her."

Efficient, excellent communication and follow up post classes, excellent advice for further at hone progress.

Very beneficial program. I learnt a lot of strategies to help me.

[NAME] settled well. He found it hard first time but after a few sessions he got used to being there and started to work well. He makes more sounds now and is copying the words after us.

“I liked learning sign language so it can help me communicate with my cousin and each other.”

Social interaction, speech has come on, both expressive and receptive. I'm more relaxed and reassured because I feel supported.

"Nice people, good understanding with asd kids."

Excellently covered by Patty, I am walking away feeling a lot more confident that my clients will receive better therapy.

“I’ve learned so many signs and how to effectively communicate with residents.”

Very informative course, learned a lot both theoretical and practical from a very skilled presenter.

I learned over 100 signs which will make it a lot easier to communicate with my child.

I liked your enthuasian and how personable and approachable you are. So much was covered and I liked how you were willng to show us lots of other sign.

Without a doubt my son's progression is down to Marijke's involvement. I think the best thing about CATTS service is that they value parents and external therapists input and have no problem liaising with outside services (i.e. HSE, Enable Ireland, etc). We have both learned techniques/ mechanisms to increase speech and reduce fustration. Definate drop in NAME's distress.

The progress my son has made over the last year is astounding. Marijke is a fabulous therapist. It is obvious she enjoys her job and cares for her clients. I appreciate the value CATTS places on parent involvement ant think the tips / techniques provided to use at home have proved to be very successful. We are 100% satisfied with the service CATTS provide.

Everyone has commented on how well my son's speech has come on.
His speech is more relevant to what is happening around him. Today, he answered a 'Where' question for the first time appropriately without being prompted first.

I liked the structure of the class. Marijke made the class fun and enjoyable to learn the different signs.

Really Great Event. Well done CATTS ?

"Am so happy with speech therapy. She knows how to encourage my son to attempt to say words. He wouldn't have even tried for other therapists. (Therapist) has a fantastic way with him. And out of all the speech therapists we've attended over the years, both public and private, this has been the best by far. Highly recommend. Only annoyed we didn't know about it before. We would have taken him years ago."

Refreshing no-nonsense parent’s perspective.

CATTS Ireland were good and helpful hosts.
Great course. Need more interdisciplinary type courses in Ireland!

I liked the structure of the day. The associations Marijke used helped me to remember the signs. I also like that the games reinforced the signs. Plus the sweets as rewards!

The best thing about CATTS is the experience of the Speech Therapist. How she engages with my son. He understands a lot more, his receptive language has improved greatly since starting.

I am very satisfied with the treatment I got from CATTS. I was a bit apprehensive but the friendly, professional attitude of the therapist put me at my ease. The comparison of my performance at the start of treatment and at the six-monthly follow up showed that my voice had improved both in volume and range. I am more than pleased.

Public speaking is a significant feature of my job. An injury at work meant I had to step back from this aspect of my work. Present for me also was an underlying worry whether I would be able to overcome the resultant speech issues. Step by step, like completing a jig-saw, Marijke systematically took me through the various steps towards recovery with an additional, unexpected bonus of learning to use my voice properly when public speaking. This was never covered when I first trained in public speaking twenty years ago. I did my homework between sessions but I learned that I did not always execute the practices correctly. It was this expert correction and feedback from Marijke that was invaluable! Thank you !

“I thought it was very well presented. Not only was it about Lamh sign; it was about communication.”

“What did I like: being able to communicate with Lamh user. Brilliant course. Would recommend it to other people.”

The day was fun! Marijke made it fun and easy to learn. Really enjoying. Good craic.

CATTS is an excellent service providing Speech and Language which is highly needed for children with special needs.

"I enjoyed the group interaction. Moving between theory and practical Lamh signs has helped me to concentrate for the entirety of the day.”

I learned a lot of new Lamh signs

Good cooperation with parents to help special needs kids. Excellent Speech therapy support for kids with ASD.

Public speaking is a significant feature of my job. An injury at work meant I had to step back from this aspect of my work. Present for me also was an underlying worry whether I would be able to overcome the resultant speech issues. Step by step, like completing a jig-saw, Marijke systematically took me through the various steps towards recovery with an additional, unexpected bonus of learning to use my voice properly when public speaking. This was never covered when I first trained in public speaking twenty years ago. I did my homework between sessions but I learned that I did not always execute the practices correctly. It was this expert correction and feedback from Marijke that was invaluable! Thank you !

"I learned how important it is to communicate. I hope it will make life happier for the service users.”

Thought the tutor (Marijke) was excellent. Really easy to listen to, so easy to learn from. Made the day fun. Kept you focused.

"My thanks to you and Marijke for the excellent staff and responsive service that you have provided in CATTS."
Large Residential Service Provider

I really enjoyed Patty, loved her style, stories and analogies

Found Marijke very enjoyable as a teacher. Made the course a lot more intereting and easier to learn.

I was a bit hesitant at first to ask a question, but once I did, she was really quick getting back to me with pointers and things to do.

“What I liked: Use of videos as well as slides. The variety of signs taught. Relaxed atmosphere – had a laugh while learning signs.”

Overall Satisfaction: 96%
Value for Money: 92%

I learned a lot of new signs and that it's possible to learn a lot of signs in a relatively short space of time.

I learned more ways to create communication opportunities.

I learned how to put Lamh into the school setting where I work. How to plan and create situations where I can use it.

Really enjoyed the course, excellent information & presenter.

The energy and humour of the presenter helps me remember. Marijke delivered it very well and made it very informative and enjoyable! 🙂

That's fantastic thanks so much for all of those strategies! I want to maximise on this latest development with his desire to vocalise sounds and some words! Thanks a million!

"I enjoyed doing the signs and activity. I think that this will help me in the future with being a special needs assistant"

I have been using CATTS for several month with my daughter. What started off as a very difficult appointment every week (with another service), now my daughter is happy to enter the room immediately and engage with Marijke. I see an improvement at every appointment. I would be lost if I had not found CATTS.

Great Content. Well organised.
All members of the CATTS team were friendly and helpful. They were always providing much needed information.

The energy of the course and how it was taught. Great information that will stay in my brain!

I like the fact that you can look at the videos and browse the group at your own pace.

Patty is an excellent presenter, very knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

I am very happy with the service we have received with [Therapist]. After 2 sessions [NAME] had started saying 'more', 'again', 'up', 'down' and is continuing to add new words each week.

Niamh is phenomenal! She is so talented at working with children in a fun and relaxed way. My 9 year old didn't even realize any of it was work. He looked forward to every session and that is due to Niamh and her kindness and skill.

Great few days. Very professionally done and all needs tended to and anticipated

CATTS work really well with my child's school resource teacher and SNA to insure my child has every opportunity to improve his communication skills.

I learned a lot more than I expected to! thank you .

Marijke made it very easy to learn and very entertaining! ?

I liked Marijke. You made the course interesting and fun.

“I’ve learned 100 Lamh signs. I’ve learned ways to use them and importance of repetition. I’ve enjoyed Marijke’s energetic method of teaching.”

The CATTS team were so friendly and enthusiastic. We all felt really well looked after.

"Loved the training style. Very enjoyable day."

The best thing about CATTS is that each session is individually tailored to that child's need at that time and carried out in a fun way.

CATTS has a great system that definitely works.
[Therapist] just makes him feel do comfortable. [NAME] has come along so well since we started CATTS. Me and [NAME] have a great communication now and he barely spoke 2 words when we started. Now he is flying with his vocab. We couldn't be prowder.

“I thought the course was made very interesting because it was informal and amusing at times. I was surprised at how the Lamh signs stuck in my mind.”

"Very helpful when we asked questions - she didn't hesitate to answer anything we asked"

We've seen improvement from day one. We've also learned a lot from watching her work. My son enjoys his sessions with Marijke, she somehow manages to get a 4 year old to focus for the whole session and have fun while doing it. We're seeing constant improvement.

I think the best thing is our therapist's approach to dealing with my sometimes difficult child.

I learned how to think about how it might feel to not be able to communicate. I learned not only about the signs but also how to associate them with other things to remember them. I also learned how to 'teach' the signs in an effective way with the kids.

I've joined so many groups etc to try help [NAME], this one is really useful. I do need to ask more questions though lol.

"Marijke made the day very funny and interesting."

Excellent. Very informative and Patty was wonderfully engaging. Learned so much!

I enjoyed the interaction and the humour!

Am so happy with speech therapy. She knows how to encourage my son to attempt to say words. He wouldn't have even tried for other therapists. (Therapist) has a fantastic way with him. And out of all the speech therapists we've attended over the years, both public and private, this has been the best by far. Highly recommend.

A very professional but friendly and focused to each individual child's needs.

We have been attending CATTS for over 5 years and can only recommend them to anyone looking for a friendly and professional service. My child's speech, communication and confidence has made huge improvements consistently over the years. He's gone from a child who was frustrated with very little words and screamed to let us know what he needed to now working on grammar! The sessions are always fun to keep him interested and focused on his needs and exactly what he should be working on. This progress wouldn't have been possible if I hadn't been attending Marijke at CATTS.

Patty’s approach to teaching was so engaging, she has a wealth of knowledge and a lovely way of delivering information. A really enjoyable experience overall.

[NAME] always had a 'difficult' relationship with his speech therapists from his service providers. CATTS therapists are totally different, young & energetic & determined to get the best out of him.

I learned lots of new signs. Can't wait to learn more.

CATTS really know how to attract great speakers. Really professionally run event. Felt very well looked after.

I liked Marijke as a Lamh tutor. She was extremely engaging and personable. I like how it was fun during the lesson.

Since starting with CATTS, my son's confidence has improved, he is involved more socially and he is not as anxious.

“I enjoyed the games, these were practical and helped consolidate our learning and helped us to retain the new signs.”

Very happy with the attention and detail [NAME] gets at each session. Each session is setup in advance and if a games doesn't go to plan there is always a backup nearby.

I like the no rushing of each session so it can respond to what [NAME] needs on the day. He has opened up so much and has become more confident as time goes on.

I learned how I can use signs to help children communicate on a one to one basis or in a group to encourage social and language skills in an informal way.
Learned more than I thought I would at one sitting!

The sessions are fun and she always strives to remember what works for our son down to the smallest details. Our SLT always made sessions fun and engaging but also was able to get the most out of each session which is so important when dealing with intellectual disability.

CATTS are very flexible. My child loves coming and my child understands the speech therapist's instructions, which is very important to me.

"Catts Ireland is providing a superb vital service for children"

The best thing is the therapist's genuine interest in my child and getting to know her and what works best for her - in particular a shared passion for Pokemon! I have noticed improvements in pronunciation of words, developments of language and improvements of winning / losing scenarios.

I liked the way the tutor presented the class. It enabled me to learn in a relaxed way. Her coverage was fantastic. I would attend another class hosted by her.

Lovely facilities, nice class size. Amazing that only 3 rows back, it felt small and intimate.

Very beneficial program. I learnt a lot of strategies to help me.

Refreshing no-nonsense parent’s perspective.

I learned how I can use signs to help children communicate on a one to one basis or in a group to encourage social and language skills in an informal way.
Learned more than I thought I would at one sitting!

I learned a lot of new signs and that it's possible to learn a lot of signs in a relatively short space of time.

CATTS work really well with my child's school resource teacher and SNA to insure my child has every opportunity to improve his communication skills.

I think the best thing is our therapist's approach to dealing with my sometimes difficult child.

[NAME] enjoys going to Marijke and I feel the work being done is addressing [NAME]'s needs. We attended other speech therapists in the past and whilst they also helped I think CATTS' way of establishing where [NAME]'s main areas of need are, is very good.

Really enjoyed the course, excellent information & presenter.

"Am so happy with speech therapy. She knows how to encourage my son to attempt to say words. He wouldn't have even tried for other therapists. (Therapist) has a fantastic way with him. And out of all the speech therapists we've attended over the years, both public and private, this has been the best by far. Highly recommend. Only annoyed we didn't know about it before. We would have taken him years ago."

I liked the way the tutor presented the class. It enabled me to learn in a relaxed way. Her coverage was fantastic. I would attend another class hosted by her.

[NAME] is very happy and is progressing. My son has built a lot of confidence since starting therapy, our family & friends really see a difference in his abilities.

CATTS has a great system that definitely works.
[Therapist] just makes him feel do comfortable. [NAME] has come along so well since we started CATTS. Me and [NAME] have a great communication now and he barely spoke 2 words when we started. Now he is flying with his vocab. We couldn't be prowder.

"I enjoyed doing the signs and activity. I think that this will help me in the future with being a special needs assistant"

I like the fact that you can look at the videos and browse the group at your own pace.

"Our therapist obviously puts a lot of thought and effort into each of [NAME]'s sessions, very creative to get the best out of him."

Public speaking is a significant feature of my job. An injury at work meant I had to step back from this aspect of my work. Present for me also was an underlying worry whether I would be able to overcome the resultant speech issues. Step by step, like completing a jig-saw, Marijke systematically took me through the various steps towards recovery with an additional, unexpected bonus of learning to use my voice properly when public speaking. This was never covered when I first trained in public speaking twenty years ago. I did my homework between sessions but I learned that I did not always execute the practices correctly. It was this expert correction and feedback from Marijke that was invaluable! Thank you !

"This is a great service, he really looks forward to the therapy sessions."

The best thing is that my daughter's needs, strengths and weaknesses are being met, understood and worked on. Going at her pace, with patience.

Marijke was excellent - brilliant tutor.

"Great anecdotes helped me associate the words with the sign."

Efficient, excellent communication and follow up post classes, excellent advice for further at hone progress.

I learned lots of new signs. Can't wait to learn more.

Very well organised event. - Looking forward to the next CATTS CPD event. Thank you!

CATTS really know how to attract great speakers. Really professionally run event. Felt very well looked after.

Good cooperation with parents to help special needs kids. Excellent Speech therapy support for kids with ASD.

CATTS is an excellent service providing Speech and Language which is highly needed for children with special needs.

I liked the multiple steps in learning signs - helped memory.

Without a doubt my son's progression is down to Marijke's involvement. I think the best thing about CATTS service is that they value parents and external therapists input and have no problem liaising with outside services (i.e. HSE, Enable Ireland, etc). We have both learned techniques/ mechanisms to increase speech and reduce fustration. Definate drop in NAME's distress.

The progress my son has made over the last year is astounding. Marijke is a fabulous therapist. It is obvious she enjoys her job and cares for her clients. I appreciate the value CATTS places on parent involvement ant think the tips / techniques provided to use at home have proved to be very successful. We are 100% satisfied with the service CATTS provide.

I am very happy with the progress that my daughter has made since we started to come to CATTS. The service is professional, on point and there is a genuine interest in the child. Every session is different with a combination of work and games which is very effective. There are adequate breaks which is very important and an excellent understanding of my daughter's ASD and ADHD. The games and lesson plans tie in very naturally with whats going on with school and at home and this makes the sessions valuable and effective with excellent learning and development for my daughter. I have recommended CATTS to many other mums and will continue to do so.

The best thing about CATTS is the experience of the Speech Therapist. How she engages with my son. He understands a lot more, his receptive language has improved greatly since starting.

“I thought the course was made very interesting because it was informal and amusing at times. I was surprised at how the Lamh signs stuck in my mind.”

"Nice people, good understanding with asd kids."

We have been attending CATTS for over 5 years and can only recommend them to anyone looking for a friendly and professional service. My child's speech, communication and confidence has made huge improvements consistently over the years. He's gone from a child who was frustrated with very little words and screamed to let us know what he needed to now working on grammar! The sessions are always fun to keep him interested and focused on his needs and exactly what he should be working on. This progress wouldn't have been possible if I hadn't been attending Marijke at CATTS.

Good insight into different behaviours of autism which was based in the real world. Really excellent

"Catts Ireland is providing a superb vital service for children"

Very happy with the speech service my son is getting through CATTS. The therapist is working very well with my son and gets the best out of him. Only for this service my son would be getting no speech. I am very grateful.

“I thought it was very well presented. Not only was it about Lamh sign; it was about communication.”

I am very satisfied with the treatment I got from CATTS. I was a bit apprehensive but the friendly, professional attitude of the therapist put me at my ease. The comparison of my performance at the start of treatment and at the six-monthly follow up showed that my voice had improved both in volume and range. I am more than pleased.

"I enjoyed the group interaction. Moving between theory and practical Lamh signs has helped me to concentrate for the entirety of the day.”

Very happy with the attention and detail [NAME] gets at each session. Each session is setup in advance and if a games doesn't go to plan there is always a backup nearby.

I like the no rushing of each session so it can respond to what [NAME] needs on the day. He has opened up so much and has become more confident as time goes on.

[NAME] settled well. He found it hard first time but after a few sessions he got used to being there and started to work well. He makes more sounds now and is copying the words after us.

I enjoyed the interaction and the humour!

I learned over 100 signs which will make it a lot easier to communicate with my child.

Would highly recommend CATTS. I have seen a big difference in my child since his first session. The biggest has been learning to wait. [NAME] has come along so much, now his vocab is coming on better and better everyday. Since starting the sessions the whole family have joined in to learn what we do in every session and really enjoy learning how to really have fun on [NAME]'s level. it is great to see [NAME] so excited when we get out of the car and see Marijke's door. He knows where he is going and really enjoys it which makes it really enjoyable for us to look at. Thank you.

Lisa is very inspiring, very practical and we benefited most from the presenter’s own experience. Enjoyed the positive approach of presenter – I feel invigorated

The best thing about CATTS is that each session is individually tailored to that child's need at that time and carried out in a fun way.

The sessions are fun and she always strives to remember what works for our son down to the smallest details. Our SLT always made sessions fun and engaging but also was able to get the most out of each session which is so important when dealing with intellectual disability.

I liked the way the 100 words were split out throughout the day. Not information overload. Very enjoyable - the day flew!

I learned so many new signs and lots of different ways to approach kids to create conversation opportunities.

Since starting speech therapy my daughters speech has improved considerably. Her language skills and comprehension have also seen a huge improvement.  She is more confident and thrives on the positive feedback about her progress. I love that the program is designed to meet her needs and grows with her.

"Very interesting. Benefits us especially while working with kids - learned so many things I never knew e.g. DVD, and apps"

I have been using CATTS for several month with my daughter. What started off as a very difficult appointment every week (with another service), now my daughter is happy to enter the room immediately and engage with Marijke. I see an improvement at every appointment. I would be lost if I had not found CATTS.

This was a fun, interactive course. Marijke was very good, and patient, friendly and funny.

I liked the enthusiasm of the presenter. It was really interactive, clear and well paced.

Great few days. Very professionally done and all needs tended to and anticipated

The best thing is the therapist's genuine interest in my child and getting to know her and what works best for her - in particular a shared passion for Pokemon! I have noticed improvements in pronunciation of words, developments of language and improvements of winning / losing scenarios.

The CATTS team were so friendly and enthusiastic. We all felt really well looked after.

Excellently covered by Patty, I am walking away feeling a lot more confident that my clients will receive better therapy.

A Super Day! A wealth of knowledge. Loved the detail and attention to accuracy. Thank you.

The best thing about CATTS therapy is the tailored sessions and continuous review of what is working.

“I liked learning sign language so it can help me communicate with my cousin and each other.”

We've seen improvement from day one. We've also learned a lot from watching her work. My son enjoys his sessions with Marijke, she somehow manages to get a 4 year old to focus for the whole session and have fun while doing it. We're seeing constant improvement.

"Since starting speech therapy my daughters speech has improved considerably. Her language skills and comprehension have also seen a huge improvement. She is more confident and thrives on the positive feedback about her progress. I love that the program is designed to meet her needs and grows with her."

I liked the structure of the class. Marijke made the class fun and enjoyable to learn the different signs.

Overall Satisfaction: 96%
Value for Money: 92%

The energy and humour of the presenter helps me remember. Marijke delivered it very well and made it very informative and enjoyable! 🙂

"Marijke made the day very funny and interesting."

"Loved the training style. Very enjoyable day."

I am very happy with the service we have received with [Therapist]. After 2 sessions [NAME] had started saying 'more', 'again', 'up', 'down' and is continuing to add new words each week.

I liked your enthuasian and how personable and approachable you are. So much was covered and I liked how you were willng to show us lots of other sign.

The BEST THING about CATTS is the One to One service, Great Advice and Tips to work on at home!

“I’ve learned so many signs and how to effectively communicate with residents.”

Excellent. Very informative and Patty was wonderfully engaging. Learned so much!

I find our therapist Brilliant! She gives great tips and is excellent in engaging with my son. It is much improved for primary school as he can tell me things that happen in his summer setting, which is less frustrating for him and less worrying for me.

That's fantastic thanks so much for all of those strategies! I want to maximise on this latest development with his desire to vocalise sounds and some words! Thanks a million!

I learned how to think about how it might feel to not be able to communicate. I learned not only about the signs but also how to associate them with other things to remember them. I also learned how to 'teach' the signs in an effective way with the kids.

"Very helpful when we asked questions - she didn't hesitate to answer anything we asked"

I learned how to put Lamh into the school setting where I work. How to plan and create situations where I can use it.

Very informative course, learned a lot both theoretical and practical from a very skilled presenter.

I learned 100 signs to go away and teach my autistic child.

I really enjoyed Patty, loved her style, stories and analogies

Marijke made it very easy to learn and very entertaining! ?

With the rollout of Progressing Disabilities its so important to build awareness on family centred practice. Thank you for bringing this and other courses to Ireland.

“I enjoyed the games, these were practical and helped consolidate our learning and helped us to retain the new signs.”

Social interaction, speech has come on, both expressive and receptive. I'm more relaxed and reassured because I feel supported.

I liked Marijke. You made the course interesting and fun.

Niamh is phenomenal! She is so talented at working with children in a fun and relaxed way. My 9 year old didn't even realize any of it was work. He looked forward to every session and that is due to Niamh and her kindness and skill.

The day was fun! Marijke made it fun and easy to learn. Really enjoying. Good craic.

I learned more ways to create communication opportunities.

I liked the way nobody was singled out. The signs were demonstrated as a group.

I liked Marijke as a Lamh tutor. She was extremely engaging and personable. I like how it was fun during the lesson.

100% of Speech Therapy clients surveyed would recommend CATTS to a friend or family member!

Amazing, Well planned, Very impressed with Lisa’s knowledge as a mother.

Am so happy with speech therapy. She knows how to encourage my son to attempt to say words. He wouldn't have even tried for other therapists. (Therapist) has a fantastic way with him. And out of all the speech therapists we've attended over the years, both public and private, this has been the best by far. Highly recommend.

“What I liked: Use of videos as well as slides. The variety of signs taught. Relaxed atmosphere – had a laugh while learning signs.”

Patty’s approach to teaching was so engaging, she has a wealth of knowledge and a lovely way of delivering information. A really enjoyable experience overall.

"I learned how important it is to communicate. I hope it will make life happier for the service users.”

A very professional but friendly and focused to each individual child's needs.

“I liked the positive interaction between the tutor & learners.”

I have been attending CATTS with my son for 5 years now and the service we have received is fantastic. Marijke is a wonderful therapist and my son's speech and communication has come on so much from when he started from a no-verbal little boy to a fully verbal child now. Marijke has each session planned to meet his needs and I feel fully involved. We travel a long distance to each session but it is worth it to see the difference in my son's communication and confidence.

My son has attended regularly for some months now, and responded very early on to the use of Lámh. He has made good progress and enjoys going to sessions. Overall would highly recommend Marijke as an SLT.

Thoroughly enjoyed the class. Marijke makes learning fun!

Since starting with CATTS, my son's confidence has improved, he is involved more socially and he is not as anxious.

CATTS are very flexible. My child loves coming and my child understands the speech therapist's instructions, which is very important to me.

Everyone has commented on how well my son's speech has come on.
His speech is more relevant to what is happening around him. Today, he answered a 'Where' question for the first time appropriately without being prompted first.

I learned a lot of signs I didn't know and how to teach them to my brother. I'll finally be able to have a proper conversation with him.

I've joined so many groups etc to try help [NAME], this one is really useful. I do need to ask more questions though lol.

I learned a lot more than I expected to! thank you .

“What did I like: being able to communicate with Lamh user. Brilliant course. Would recommend it to other people.”

I learned a lot of new Lamh signs

Patty is an excellent presenter, very knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

I liked the structure of the day. The associations Marijke used helped me to remember the signs. I also like that the games reinforced the signs. Plus the sweets as rewards!

I think the best thing about CATTS is the professional service. The therapists are very skilled and it is of huge benefit to my child.

Public speaking is a significant feature of my job. An injury at work meant I had to step back from this aspect of my work. Present for me also was an underlying worry whether I would be able to overcome the resultant speech issues. Step by step, like completing a jig-saw, Marijke systematically took me through the various steps towards recovery with an additional, unexpected bonus of learning to use my voice properly when public speaking. This was never covered when I first trained in public speaking twenty years ago. I did my homework between sessions but I learned that I did not always execute the practices correctly. It was this expert correction and feedback from Marijke that was invaluable! Thank you !

Found Marijke very enjoyable as a teacher. Made the course a lot more intereting and easier to learn.

My little boy absolutely loves going to CATTS. He loves playing all his 'games' and 'sound games' and thinks it is great fun. Marijke makes every minute of speech therapy fun and exciting. It is lovely to see my little boy progress in a fun, warm environment. Marijke is warm and provides great guidance and support for home. Marijke always responds to queries in a timely manner. Learning is made fun. He has made improvements in speech sounds and is now more susceptible to fixing up errors without resistance.

The energy of the course and how it was taught. Great information that will stay in my brain!

Really Great Event. Well done CATTS ?

I came away with far more than I could have imagined

Huge amount of useful info. Video clips were useful.
Excellent topic and event. It is difficult to get the opportunity to learn from the main experts in specific fields.

This is a great idea. It really helps to have a resource on hand you can trust

I liked that the day was active ad no one was put on the spot!

Great Content. Well organised.
All members of the CATTS team were friendly and helpful. They were always providing much needed information.

We researched a lot of places and time and time again CATTS was recommended to us. We are so glad we listened as we have seen great progress in our son. [Therapist] just "gets him" and its so nice to have a positive experience all the while our son is doing some "work".

[NAME] always had a 'difficult' relationship with his speech therapists from his service providers. CATTS therapists are totally different, young & energetic & determined to get the best out of him.

“I’ve enjoyed learning everything about Lamh, including watching videos, doing games and working in group. It was very interesting.”

Thought the tutor (Marijke) was excellent. Really easy to listen to, so easy to learn from. Made the day fun. Kept you focused.

CATTS Ireland were good and helpful hosts.
Great course. Need more interdisciplinary type courses in Ireland!

“I’ve learned 100 Lamh signs. I’ve learned ways to use them and importance of repetition. I’ve enjoyed Marijke’s energetic method of teaching.”

I was a bit hesitant at first to ask a question, but once I did, she was really quick getting back to me with pointers and things to do.