After school activities

[WorldsSlowestTypist]

I have posted in Education but then thought that this might be a better place.

I am looking into starting some after school/weekend activities for local children with communication and social interaction difficulties (ASC plus similar conditions and disorders). There are very few groups around this area. I am hoping to provide both an enjoyable activity for the children under the supervision of me and my team, and a facility for families to get together over a coffee and feel a little less isolated.

Does this sound like something parents would welcome?

If so what activities would sell the idea to your children? All ideas welcome.

TIA

yes yes yes! (If that is clear enough response... )

My ds is little under 5 and there is very little for his age.

Active stuff would suit him, they have occasional trampoline sessions (use trampoline at local special school), which he loves, (they also have little group of musicians playing too, he signs this as 'magic doors bounce bounce music' as the school has automatic doors, . )

Opportunities to swim also good. As is (quiet small session) softplay.

I know some have issues with smells and textures and being messy but mine loves water play and sand and painting....

Hope that's useful, good luck.

Oh yes, what a fantastic idea.
I'd go for art/craft/investigation type stuff, where you can work alone or learn to share and communicate at your own level.
Small trampolines sound good. and opportunities for sand play and digging.
Would you listen to your target group and attempt to develop to meet individual needs?

Sounds a great idea but bear in mind some children may need a one to one ratio of staff to access activities due to their special needs.

You will have to be clear about which children you are inviting to these events and have a good reason why you are not inviting those with higher needs. I speak as a parent of a child with higher needs who gets hacked off when SN activities don't include my son!

Great idea. Agree with donkey about those who have higher needs.
What I'd love is more stuff where ds can go to without a parent in tow - but that does need a higher staff ratio which is expensive for the organisers and might be too expensive to be viable.

Hi, i've just started taking my daughter to a 'play partners party' once a month. I don't know how wide spread these are but the set up is that it's held at our local leisure center. You go along and stay with your child but they are allocated 2 or 3 teenagers to befriend them whilst there and help them play whilst you sit and chat and have a coffee or tea with the other parents.
Activities set up were, a bouncy castle, play tents, a big arts and crafts table, basket ball hoop, giant foam shapes, big connect 4 etc.
My daughter loved the 3 girls who were allocated as her friends and they sat and helped her make things at the art table whilst chatting away to her. They helped her play the giant connect 4 etc, my daughter just loved it. The last half hour a party type tea is laid on so i didn't even have to give her tea when we got home. I also enjoyed meeting other parents.
My other daughter came along too and she met other siblings of children with disabilities which was a first for her and she really enjoyed. A lot of the children present had ASD,my daughter was the only one in a wheelchair,and there was children of all ages there but everyone seemed to just mix really well in a really laid back environment.
It's not an after school activity as such as it's only held once a month but if anyones interested it might be worth asking if 'play partner parties' are held in your area as i only found out about them myself by chance as my daughter is home ed.

Anyway sorry to jump on this thread to witter on about these but just thought someone might find them of interest/use.

Thanks for all your ideas - Lots to consider.
It is very hard to know what the interest level would be and what numbers of staff would be needed.
I am torn between wanting to support as many children and families as possible and not wanting it to be too busy and turning into a sensory nightmare for some of the ASC children.

The play partner parties also sound great - and how lovely to hear about teenagers spending their time like this.