Playgroups for children with SN

[WriterofDreams]

I have a degree in psychology and a PGCE and I've done research into specific language impairment, dyslexia, Down syndrome and autism and I've taught children with Down syndrome, ASD and other disabilities. I recently had a baby and I'm not keen to go back to teaching full time. I was thinking of setting up structured playgroups for children with learning disabilities and perhaps some social skills classes/clubs for older children with disabilities. Do you think this would be a good venture? If not, what other activities would parents of children with SN like to have available?

Social skills group sound wonderful and certainly something we would love. The difficulty with playground maybe that Asd are dx later in most cases. My dd2 goes to a autistic preschool which is wonderful but highly expensive :(

Thanks lisa. I was thinking the social skills groups would be for older children. My experience with children with asd is that their skills really improve if they're given tailored help using things such as social stories and role playing. I hear what you're saying about how expensive specialised ed for children with asd can be, it must be tough.

My DD has a specific language impairment and medical needs. Because of when her birthday falls she has been at playgroup two and a half years so yes I would have tried to get her in if we had something like you are suggesting locally. Also I would be very interested in working somewhere like that.

Hi there. I have recently discovered a charity near to me called Playskill
(www.playskill.org/) who run playgroups for children with special needs. I am so excited that my son will be starting soon. We have done some mainstream groups and now that he is 1 year old we really do need to be with staff with more expertise and understanding of SEN.

I think it's a great idea as my experience so far has been that we have been quite isolated and seen each professional individually. I really like the group aspect for myself and for my son.

That sounds a fantastic idea. Personally the social skills classes/clubs for older children would be something really useful, as my daughter is 10 & has Down's Syndrome, and it is very difficult to find her anywhere to go that is not mainstream. Jf she goes to anything mainstream (eg sports/arts & crafts acitivites), a 1-1 helper has to be provided and this is very rarely possible so she loses out.

I would say definitely a good idea, my ds goes to a (charity funded) SN group, which has been brilliant, he also has just started an ASD playscheme in the hols, which was brilliant... if may be worth checking what else is available in the area.. linked to Special schools for example.

Im just in the middle of setting up a social stories workshop for June for our parents. So many get little help with writing them and its so hard to find good help.
Activities I would like to see are things lke, relaxation, social skills, role play, singing and signing, pen pals, introducation to messy play and music and art therapy

Thanks for your input everyone. Any other ideas or suggestions are welcome :)

I go to a lovely group. One of its strengths is that it is for the mums too. Fresh cakes and coffee, a massage and someone to listen to me. I love it. Is is during the school day though and would really love something my ds could enjoy too.

Siobhan - the group you go to, is it local authority or privately run? I would be looking to run private groups but I don't know if these would attract much business if there is already a lot on offer in the public sector.

Ds goes to a group run by our local Portage service. Have to say I wasn't keen at first, hated the idea of ds being 'pigeon holed' and tended to go to regular mother and toddler groups and activities. Finally gave it a try when ds was around one and totally love it, being with people who understand ds individual needs and who support me as a parent is priceless. Ds also has access to things like a sensory room which a mainstream group may not have. I have friends who attend opportunity groups for children with SN (run by their local authority I think)

Its run by a group of volunteers and funded by donations. There isn't much run by LA in my area as far as I know.