Out of school clubs and activities.

[Voidka]

Do any of your children do things outside of school?

I want DS, who has just turned 5, to be able to do something outside of school, to build up his social and physical skills but I cant think of anything.

my ds (5, 6 in May) does football club at School - he's fairly hopeless but wants to do it and has decided he'll make a good ref and has done swimming since he was 3
In reception he did ballet for a term, he'd like to do gymnastics but there is a waiting list and we have his name down for beavers. We also did a trial session of tumble tots (one for school age to 7years) which was really good, brilliant for physical developement and small groups of children, but I couldn't justify sending one ds and not the other and then it all got too expensive

After-school inclusive club [arts & crafts and games and all sorts for both SN and other school kids] four days a week, Boy's Brigade, Spanish club, and on the waiting list for Beavers during the week, then swimming class, karate class and skiing class on Saturdays and Junior church on Sundays.

[Hyperactivity...what hyperactivity?? It makes me tired just writing what he does, let alone the thought of doing it! And now he wants a boy's dance class too!]

Dd3 does choir and football at after school clubs and swimming, brownies and another choir out of school.

She is doing too much really and wants to drop swimming but it is so good for her gross motor skills that I want her to carry on.

I have been going to Brownies with her but have just moved her to a unit where her friend goes and some of the girls from her class. Now she is going on her own, fingers crossed it is week 2 this week.

My DS did Beavers from 6, cubs and is now in scouts. They have been very understanding and inclusive. It's all run by volunteers, though, so can depend on the number of leaders they have. My DS didn't require 1:1 but did need a very close eye. He did need 1:1 for any trips out. Long waiting lists so worth getting his name down.

None of my DSs are into sport, but have enjoyed swimming. Not very social, particularly. How about a martial art? Very structured and disciplined, may be worth a shot?

DS goes to after school club at his all age special school a couple of times a week. The primary clubs were run in conjuntion with two other nearby special schools, and would be just say cookery club for a term, and maybe in a fdifferent school with different staff. But the secondary club is for his school only; and is run by some of the TAs so I wonder how different it seems to being in school iyswim.

We do have his name down for Beavers - DS1 goes to scouts so we know its good and have spoken to the leader (who is also a friend) to say that I will provide 1-2-1 support when he starts.

I did think about a martial art, maybe Karate, but I dont know if his difficulties would get in the way too much. He likes to be physical and loves running around but cant understand instructions and wont stay still/copy others. Maybe its worth speaking to a few local groups and seeing if they would be able to accommodate him.

Oh yes, the DC I support goes to a trampolining class. He's dyspraxic but really enjoys it. Might depend how 'compliant' your DS is, but may be an idea for later on.

DS diagnosed ASD. 5

We want funding for a 1:1 Carer who can stay with him for afterschool clubs and Beavers . They will not accept him without. He does not understand group teaching.

From Hertfordshire they told us we did not qualify?

He has not started Beavers yet but that is what the school clubs said so I assumed it would be the same.

Hildy, if my DS required 1:1 it would have been an unpaid volunteer at cubs. Do you claim DLA? That can go towards paying someone at Beavers, but probably not enough for the after school club as well.

We would have liked DS2 to participate in after school clubs, however, the school told us in order to get additional funding to cover this, we had to agree to CAF, and we're not comfortable with this. We try to get him involved in what we can, but it's not much.

I was going to ask the same question with regards to activities/clubs etc. Have just signed twin sons, 4, (one ASD) with local sports centre, they are doing swimming lessons, tennis, football, karate and karting. A lot I know, but they will probably drop some along the way

They were very happy to let ds try, (groups are only small) and we will monitor how things go... I'm hoping he gets on ok as it would be a shame if they couldn't do it together.