6 months of TACPAC and looking forward to the next

Congratulations for using TACPAC for the past 6 months

Here is a recap of the advice and tips we have sent you and what we recommend for the next 6 months

The Golden Rules

Each TACPAC session should last about 30 minutes
Remember your DO NOT DISTURB – TACPAC SESSION sign on the door when you’re setting up your room.
Each Set has 6 Activities. We recommend using the same Set for 6 months.
You can use each Set at least once a week, but this is not a hard and fast rule. Avoid using it so often that there is no spontaneity or novelty left.
Before trying out the Activity for the first time, please watch the accompanying Activity video in your Set page on the website. This will refresh your memory from the time you’ve done the training.
Each piece of music has been specially composed to match the texture of the object so it is important you use the correct music to match the right activity.

For Teachers – We have information on the Engagement Model

For Parents – We have information on tracking your child’s progress

TACPAC Month 7 to 12

A TACPAC Set is designed to be used for a minimum of 6 Months for your Receiver. As the Giver you need this amount of time to get used to communicating with your TACPAC partner in a sensory way. You will further develop your sensory vocabulary, deepen the trust, your confidence and sense your way through any challenges you may be encountering. It all takes time, and no one is pressuring you to do more than have a calm, connected and confident communication session. No pressure at all – isn’t that good!

If you have bought a pair of Sets

You will be wondering when to start using the second set. Its never a hard and fast rule when to change sets. Here are some guidelines to help you with this decision:

Your partner knows the sequence of the music, the activities and the routine.
Your partner knows when their TACPAC session is about to begin, looks forward to it, and can predict what happens next
You are comfortable with the pace, shared sensory vocabulary and development of your partner
Your outcomes support plan reflects the targets or aims you are wishing to achieve, using TACPAC as a resource to accomplish these targets. (e.g. turn taking, anticipation, relating to you…)

You might wish to

“rest” your partner, and not go straight on to the next set

start the next set gently and slowly, building up to all 6 activities

If you have bought one Set

Although we do recommend you keep using one set for a minimum of 6 months, there is nothing stopping you continuing using that set until you’re both comfortable with your sensory communications, relaxed and having fun. If you feel you’re “there”, it might be time for the next set. The idea is that the more you both use TACPAC, the better you’ll be both be with sensory communication. The next set is your choice, and you might find your partner being able to settle into this much quicker than their first experience of TACPAC. You might both be quite good at using TACPAC by now, even though the music and the objects will be different. There always needs to be a bit of a challenge, and the change of music and objects will keep everyone alert!

Getting a better understanding of TACPAC

We have developed a live online course for you to get essential understanding and practical techniques for using TACPAC effectively.

The online course is a simple and convenient way to learn about TACPAC. The online course covers subjects including getting the most from TACPAC, sensory overload, the Limbic System and Deep Pressure.

I found the training was delivered well and matched my school’s cohort very well. It was thought provoking and gave me many ideas on how this can be rolled out and introduced. It also enabled me to get a clearer idea around the intent and the purpose of TAC PAC as a communication strategy and how this can be explained to outside agencies such as ofsted.

Cheryl Louis, Treehouse School

I thoroughly enjoyed the whole training day from start to finish. Vanessa was an amazing instructor and pitched the course well with both theory and practical. She was extremely helpful in answering questions relating to my context and I can’t thank her enough. I feel confident in taking this intervention forward in my class of complex P1 learners.

Charlotte Johnstone Teacher Park School

It was really informative. I would encourage parents and other professional to go through Tac Pac training. Found it really innovative. Most surprising fact that it can be done with household simple stuff and doesn’t need to be expensive, very much handy and easy to use for parents/other caregiver and professionals.

Online Training Delegate,

The learning of the importance of the beat and uncovering some of the myths that we had previously been doing in our school so now they can be corrected. I feel I can relay the appropriate content learnt to other staff within my setting now.

Eimear Corrigan, Teacher,, Palmerstone School, Liverpool

I have been working with children with special needs for the past seven years. I have been amazed at the transformation in children who have been exposed to Tacpac. As there are no trainers that I know of in the Perth area, I am interested in becoming a trainer to enable more children to reap the benefits of this wonderful program.

SEN teacher

Hilary, You have given much joy to many with your creation of Tacpac. You really have made a difference to the lives of many children and their families.

Sue Murray,BLENNZ School, New Zealand

Well delivered. I like that even though this training was virtual it still felt very interactive and a safe place to ask questions and have discussions. I do feel like I have the knowledge and skills to begin TACPAC ‘properly’ now (or at least after a few more practice sessions on my niece). Thank you very much.

Emily Parham, Speech & Language Therapist, OXLEAS

The activities were brilliant for being able to practise the movements to the music in a supportive environment. There was no part of the course that I didn’t enjoy and from which I didn’t learn. Although I have used TACPAC before, I hadn’t considered the importance of unknown music without any connotations attached to it for the receiver. This now makes perfect sense and was a revelation!

Ashley Chambers, Portage Practitioner, Kent

Great working with you all

Dom Knight, Oxfordshire Web Services

I messaged my manager during the break to tell her how amazing the training course is; I didn’t expect it to go into as much detail as it did. I liked how the course went into detail about the function of the Limbic System in relation to behaviour and response. I now want to do more research into the physiological aspects of behaviour in Autism to work on positive behaviour support within our homes

Tracey Hamilton, Homes Manager , Albrighton Care