What is Early Bird please?

[Dingle]

After dd's home visit from Social Services OT, it was discussed that they couldn't really give much help apart from a few grab rails to help her get around the house a bit easier.
They did however chase up the CDC OT, for further help with seating etc. and ask yet another group/dept (?) the disablement team_I think! about helping with behavioral strategies.
Don't get me wrong, IMO dd doesn't have major issues, but like I've said before the silly little things that I have to deal with day in day out are draining me, and in tern having an effect on the time and effort I feel I put into SALT, play time...

Anyway, I 'm rambling, they have put dd's name forward for Early Bird, but I'd like your opinions on it please.

NAS Earlybird? The NAS Earlybird is a parental teaching thingy (blurg langauge gone- basically you go and do a parents course for 6 or 8 weeks can't remember). it's pretty good imo- you might know a lot of it, but always useful to get more tips and you get to meet other parents.

You need an autism dx to access it iirc.

Dingle, just got back from my first Early Bird session. Look v good- tips on boosting communication, managing behaviour and so on and the chance to meet other parents and grandparents, which is great. But it is specifically for children with autism. Is it the same thing?!

You have me worried now! Nothing has been mentioned about this only being for children with autism! I know the OT has discussed the issues I have with dd's behaviour with the people who run the Early Bird sessions, but I have been given very little information ATM.
I have worried about dd showing signs of autism. Probably more than most parents would,but I've put that down to higher ratio's of children with DS and autism than the average population. That together with circulating withing the SN environments, I little knowledge can be a worrying thing!
It is silly things that have worried me. I went into her the other day and she had lined up all her teddies! A few days later she did it again, but this time I caught her on her little chair in front and pretending to drive a train.

I'll have to see what other info I can find out about it locally!

She may not know that its only for autism- before being allowed on the course an actual diagnosis (from a paed) is needed. Dont worry- I suspect its a case of SS being clueless as usual

or it may be a different earlybird I guess.

In our area the Early Bird sessions are for all SN children and their families. The sessions are geared up to give practical parenting tips and advice for the families and to help build friendship and support.

Thanks, I'll ask as I do "the rounds" t see what I can find out.