starting playgroup (Scotland) with GDD

[MommyUpNorth]

Hello. I was wondering if anyone had any info on starting playgroup with special needs? Our multi-disciplinary team have made noises that ds will be ok in the mainstream playgroup that his 3 older siblings went to. They have said that he will 'have the support he needs'.

I'm not sure what I'm really asking here... but he's fairly behind his peer group, and the playgroup runs a 2.5 year old group to get them used to going before starting in August... it starts this April, so not long to go...

DS has just started crawling in the last month (he's just turned 2), and is completely non-verbal. His expressive and receptive communication is minimal. He does not know how to request things, or what someone is saying to him. I'm starting to really panic over how he is actually going to get on in playgroup.

He's also a bit obsessed with paper and plastic. He would stuff paper into his mouth given half the chance and just sit with it... schools of course are filled with paper! I don't know whether I'm just starting to panic as the date gets nearer...

Anyone in a similar situation? Any words of wisdom??

Bumping for you.

Thanks very much for the bump. I see the playgroup leader all the time. Our older children (all NT) have been through this playgroup, and it was lovely... for them... They were aware from the last time we spoke that my ds wasn't walking or talking or anything like that and didn't mention any problems in him attending.

The room is very small and has loads of stuff at a low level (obviously). Even if he had a 1 to 1 helper, they would struggle to keep him from eating things, and crawling off to do his own thing. I'm wondering how they would be able to get him to focus on actually doing a standard playgroup activity.

I will maybe try to set up a proper meeting and discuss some of these issues.

perhaps you could get someone from the team to clarify what they mean by getting the "support he needs". are they talking about 1:1?

Hi rr,does Portage service exist in Scotland?My dd has GDD and attends a Portage group tailored to SN children.

i've never heard the term being used where i live, but it may be available in other areas. it sounds like a great idea.

HI might be worth posting this in Special Needs, however I suggest talking to your key worker from the multi-disciplinary team. They should help you through the process.

It sounds like in time your child will need a statement of special educational needs however if you can access portage or a one on one worker for pre-school then thats your first step.

Thanks cktwo. Our 1 to 1 pre-school teacher is recommending mainstream. His other therapists are not. I'm not sure it's a funding thing either as he's just received funding for a school which is hours away, including accommodation for 4 weeks of the year.

I don't think we have statements in Scotland (though I may be completely wrong). I'm actually putting his name down for 3 different playgroups (2 SN, and 1 MS). I find it all very difficult when even the specialists don't fully agree on a way forward.

Hi
I am a Scotland based independent autism specialist and consultant. I am currently looking to start an early intervention service in the form of a specialist nursery or playgroup this year- based in central Scotland- just wondered how you got on with your playgroup idea and your son's placement??
Ruth

www.autismsupportservice.co.uk