thinking of starting a special needs playgroup - would you go to one? Good idea or not?

[jammydodger]

Hi.
Just thought I'd see what MNers thought of my idea - I'm a SALT, also mum to ds1 who's ASD, and Ds2 (NT). I run baby signing courses at the moment as a business, but was thinking of starting a Saturday morning playgroup for children with special needs, up to around 5 or 6 years, and their families.
It would be totally not for profit, with a very small charge to cover room hire and coffee, and I was thinking it'd be a good chance for parents to relax, meet each other and get some support. I thought perhaps an hour or so of "free time" then 20 minutes of singing, with signs, puppets, some games, parachute, etc.

I was wondering if anyone else has been to a group like this, or run one, and how it went? Is it a good idea or not? Would you go to something like this if it was in your area?

Thanks in advance for your comments!

Well, I have formed a company with a profesional musicican and a music therapist. We all have other jobs but do it in our 'free' (bitter laugh) time. We write and compose our own stuff. It's through the medium of Welsh too.

Parents come for 6 sessions with their 6-18 month old.

We are contracted by a local arts centre (and many other places) to do it.

Oh that sounds amazing..what a fab idea.

Think it would be a great idea. Whereabouts are you thinking of doing it? I think the signing group we were going to go to was filled mostly by parents of young babies, they thought it would be good to get signing at 4 months old - not exactly our boys peer group and a bit depressing...

I wonder if you could contact your local library and do it there?