"Good Beginnings" course for parents re ASD in Essex?

2 replies

notfromaroundhere · 07/01/2009 13:19

I know its a long shot but has any been on the above course?

Its been recommended that DP and I get a place on this course but to do so will a) be a logistical nightmare for childcare and b) mean DP loses wages as he is self-employed. The course runs for 10 weeks and will write off a mornings wages so it will stack up.

They do offer a creche which DS2 will be fine with but I can't be so sure for DS1. I could change DS1's preschool days but this will still mean MIL and FIL will have to rearrange their work to take DS1 to preschool.

We're more than prepared to do all this but it woud be helpful to hear a parents POV of the course rather than just those who run it...

Many thanks

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finefatmama · 09/01/2009 02:15

We were invited but couldn't attend for the same reasons. I spoke to a couple parents who felt it was helpful but not as a result of the content of the course which was too general to be of enough use. it was being able to meet other parents of children with disabilities, exhanging ideas and equipment, arranging playdates and supporting each other that they all liked.

one other parent felt that it was useless and the strategies taught didn't address her particularly severe autistic child's needs at all. I hear the one run in Thurrock is different though but I don't know much about it. They have a book or manual of some sort with all the topics covered. It's worth requesting for that and having a read before you make up your mind.

Original poster

notfromaroundhere · 09/01/2009 11:32

Thanks for your reply, the organiser said they would send some stuff out ot me but as yet it hasn't arrived..

DS1's keyworker at preschool knows a few parents who've been on the course. Much like you've said their feedback was that it was very general and a lot not applicable to their individual child but I suppose that is the nature of a group course.

Unfortunately Thurrock wouldn't be workable and the NAS don't have anyone trained to offer the Earlybird course in Essex so we'll just have to weigh it all up and decide.

Thanks again

OP posts:

Flip