ok tell me about portage please, they comin out to see dd

[trace2]

one of dd pead as said she needs to see her , they phoned this morning, what do they do and why they coming? sorry i have no idea

hi trace, no advice lovely, but keeping this bumped for you

They come to the house and do a lots of therpy through play

website here

Can very very helpful

My DD had portage from the age of 18 months until she started nursery. She (Sheila) used to come once a week and basically gave me guidance in helping my DD to do the 'developmental' skills.

When Sheila first came my DD was not walking/talking, but the first task was to try to get my DD walking.

By the next week, my DD was walking (not everywhere obviously, but moving around more than ever before).

They focus on the developmental skills (walking, talking, fine/gross motor skills).

It was never a chore for my DD to have these challenges set for her and it was such an achievement when she reached that goal that other children met so easily.

Now my DD, still with the same genetic condition, goes to mainstream school (with help), walks, talks, swims, dances - everything that a normal 6 year old does.

I hope you don't mind me asking, and don't answer if you don't want to, but why is your DD seeing a portage worker?

I always knew there was something 'not quite right' with my DD (youngest of 3 - elder sister and brother).

Now she is just fantastic.

My DD3 had portage from age 12 weeks, cos we were lucky enough to live in an area where it was well funded. Its not the case throughout the country.
They're a service which offers home based education thru play, for children with special needs. I found them so good, particularly as they focus on what your child CAN do, and then they try to help them reach the next developmental stage. DD3 had visits once a fortnight til the age of 3 years, and the visitors were lovely women, who I considered as friends.
Have a look at the website here
I'd highly recommend it to anyone who has a pre-school child with SN

thank you, no i dont mind you asking! dd since birth as had blue episodes has some sort of sezures, still not dx she posture ( stuck in a banan shape for hours on end) she as problem eating solids as little milk, allergys, not meeting her mile stone, god i could go on for ever, but she already sees a phyio, dietion,spech therpy we have a nurse come to our home eery two week,

trace, that's great that she is getting this extra help

how is she doing generally? WE were at Wentwirth Castle on Sunday and I was thinking about you as we skirted the outside of town....we'll get that meet up eventually

hi daisy thanks for bumping and asking about dd, she still same, tbh i would feel better if we had a dx, but been told we may never have one, hows you and your dc? and bump

My DS has portage once a week, we get home visits and they also offer a monthly playgroup and social activities. They usually say a child has to have 2 or more developmental issues or delays before being considered. My DS cannot walk and has trouble with his speech. He absolutely adores the visits because it is all play and 1 on 1 attention from the portage worker.
theheadgirl is right, they are so positive and focus on what your child can do, in fact our portage worker has discovered things we didn't even know DS knew, quickly discovered what made him tick and what he enjoys. She assessed and provided what he needed to help him experience what other children do, a special little chair with sides so he could sit at a table for messy play without falling over, velco for the bottom of his toys so they didn't fall over so often when he knocked them, and brings toys he would like from the toy library. I must also say the first visit was a bit of a nightmare because of all the questions but as they get to know you and your child its great.

• Good luck!!!

well we got a letter last week from a development pead from the first visit with him, tbh i was upset it said dd as golbel development delay, i thought she was quiet bright but delayed in her movements!

Hi trace2, our portage worker sees DD (who also has global developmental delay) in 6-week blocks to carry out play activities geared to helping her meet her developmental targets. So for example, she brings toys to help DD improve her grip, toys that light up so she's got an incentive to push buttons etc. I think because portage workers are coming from an eductional perspective rather than a medical one it makes everything she suggests really positive because it's not about diagnosis or treatment.
We also work on a really detailed analysis of her development by completing a checklist together of the things DD can do. This gives a much better indication of the areas where she has strengths, and the areas where she needs additional stimulation. GDD is an umbrella term and covers all sorts of children.
HTH. My portage worker is my favourite therapist, hope yours is lovely too.

Hi Trace,

DD has GDD.It means a delay in 2 or more areas.With dd it is speech and motor skills,as arabica says it is an umbrella term.I should imagine they will see how your dd progresses and send her for further tests as they see appropriate.

With regard to portage my dd has had portage since November.The lady that sees us is lovely.I cannot recommend the scheme highly enough,they focus on what your child CAN do,and build from there.The sessions last abiout an hour.Mainly it involves play in a structured way to help the child build upon skills.Our portage worker is lovelydd really enjoys her visits.Good luckxx