Saturday playgroup

Comments: My son, Jesse, and I have been regulars at the Saturday playgroup (which we love!), and when he was offered a place in Sarah's school readiness program we were thrilled to accept. I was grateful at the time, but now I'm overwhelmed with gratitude because of the very tangible difference the program has made in helping both of us feel more prepared and empowered in the transition to school process. Jesse was given the chance to 'practice' school skills and gain a clearer sense of just what it means to 'go to big school'. I was given the opportunity to view, not just his challenges, but his strengths in a school setting and to share hopes fears and insights with the other parents. The program was thoughtfully put together and run with professionalism and dedication. Jesse is now settling into school far more smoothly than I ever imagined possible. I commend and thank Pathways, and especially Sarah for their invaluable contribution to this process, and therefore to our lives.

Els

Respite Services

Hello, I’m Amira  (Laila’s mum).
Recently I’ve been using respite care.  Sarah Daniels (Pathways ECI OT) referred me to the Inner West Carers Respite Centre at Concord Hospital after I hurt my shoulders and was having some trouble taking care of the family. 

Tony from the Respite Centre contacted me and organised a woman to visit our home for 3 hours one day a week.  While she was there I went to a doctors appointment and the carer stayed in my house with Laila..  The carer made up formula for Laila to drink and served her food.  She read stories and basically entertained her.  I was able to organise for the carer to come with us on an appointment to the hospital. 

We have had four visits for Respite Care and do not plan to receive any more in the immediate future however if any need arrises Tony thought a carer could quickly be organised to visit us again.

Amira

 

Aquatic Therapy Group.

Mike loves the water and the opportunity to participate in the water therapy session was a good chance for me to spend some individual time with him.  On his first day, as expected, he was most upset at not being able to enter the water whilst still fully clothed, and again when it was time to exit, however over the weeks, with the combination of a routine approach and the use of picture cards, we were able to transform his behavior into a manageable routine.

In the water the songs and activities became familiar to him and he began to anticipate the actions that were to follow.  Mike and all the other children enjoyed coming together face to face in some of these activities and there were giggles all round.  The free play with assorted water toys gave him a chance to explore, but all the time dependant on me to hold him safely in the water.  This gave plenty of opportunity for eye contact and the need for him to communicate his desires.

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and more so because I could see that Mike was learning to interact with me and the group.  I highly recommend this activity and look forward to future

Jim, Mike’s dad

 

Early Childhood  Intervention Conference and Sibshops

Do you know those times when you are plodding along, just putting one foot in front of the other and hoping for a bit of inspiration to lift your spirits?

Pathways ECI asked me to write a short piece about the Early Childhood Intervention Conference (NSW chapter) that I went along to on Thursday 21 August and I wanted to let you know that I got my inspiration in a huge dose by going along to the conference.

The conference was held at the Novotel at Brighton Beach. After a short introduction and a couple of speeches, the main speaker for the morning was Kate Strohm. Many of you will know of her as she is the author of the book “Siblings” and you might have gone along to one of her talks last year. Talk about getting off to a good start – Kate is an excellent speaker and I’m sure she inspired many people during that hour & a half. I had not read the book prior to hearing her talk (I’m hoping to do so in the next couple of years!) but what she said really made an impact. Kate is putting together an organization which will provide many resources to both practitioners and families and if you are interested in reading what she is up to you can log on to the website <www.siblingsaustralia.org.au>.

Once Kate’s talk was over it was time for some morning tea and then it was on to a variety of talks that had been scheduled for the morning.

I decided to join the talks grouped under the heading "Partnerships" – looking at the relationship between families/carers and the professionals who work in intervention. First up was a pediatrician & speech pathologist who work at the Macarthur Health Service in Penrith and the next speaker was Janene Swalwell, who runs a centre in Melbourne called Iloura. Both talks were great because I wanted to hear what the professionals had to say about dealing with families and how they got their concerns across to the parents / carers. I guess in the end I heard the same message - give the parents / carers an opportunity to talk and ask questions (rather than just be talked to) and the outcomes are better for everyone.

Another meal and another interesting main speech about the importance of research and how it can influence and enrich how we deal with our children. By this time I was enthused… excited …. who needed afternoon tea? (good grief more food!) I was going to join the music therapy session! This was fun - songs, group activities and heaps of laughter - just what I needed to load that last bit of inspiration onto my shoulders and take it back home to my family.

We might not be able to get inspiration like this all the time but for me it has been the catalyst to take on a new project within Pathways ECI. I want to set up a Parent / Carers network because I believe that support from within helps us all to face the day-to-day stuff. Are you interested in joining? The attached flyer has some information and contact details. Please have a read and I hope to hear from you.

Chrissie Hodges

 

Transition to School

Franca, mother of Rosaria  has received services from Pathways including the transition to school support. This service for Rosaria commenced last year with five transition visits both at the school and here at Pathways, to help her get ready for enrolment at her local Catholic school. Pathways ECI will continue to support Rosaria’s school this year with up to two visits per term for Term 1 and 2. Franca writes:

‘I feel the transition to school program was really excellent for Rosaria. It helped her to get to know her school and the routines before she actually started. This was especially helpful to introduce routines such as assembly and to practice wearing her uniform. Her teacher took Rosariae to all the classes to introduce her and told them if they see her around, they should hold her hand and take her to a teacher. All the children love her- they take her hand when she gets to school. I have also had good feedback from the aide who is really supportive too. Rosaria  is good on the computer and has had a lot of practice taking turns. She has a bean bag for rest time in the afternoon when the other children rest sitting. The Principal is supportive which is great. She has aide time in the afternoon and morning, roughly two hours per day. I am involved in the school but am enjoying the break now that Rosariae is at school! She is really happy. I feel we have made the right choice.’

 

Saturday Playgroup

My name is Leta and I come to the Saturday group regularly with my two girls, Bianca and Rose.  I love the fact that you can sit back and watch your children interact and play at this group, rather than leave them, and walk out the door like on their preschool/school days.  It gives me time to interact with my children at the sandpit and other toys, and allows me to withdraw a little from my regular day to day life.

I enjoy that it is my time, that I can make a cup of tea, not worry about housework and spend some time talking to other families who have with children with additional needs.  We get to talk about our concerns, strategies we have tried and the progress of our children.  I love that there is a professional there to spend one on one time and I get a lot of tips from them.

My husband works on weekends so the Saturday group is my time with my girls.
Leta

The Saturday group is an open playgroup all families are welcome to attend.  We really encourage siblings to attend this group so that it becomes a family outing as Leta has described.

 

A toilet training story.

I decided that in Christmas holidays Bill was going to come out of his nappy.  So I took the nappy off him and put on undies as it was hot and I was able to see dribbles and accidents faster.  We did have daily accidents, quite a few, and I was getting to wonder if he was going to be toiled trained this time around.  We persisted through all of the five week holidays and by the Term 1 this year, he was toilet trained and didn’t have accidents anywhere.  When I went out to the park, shops or in the car – I didn’t put a nappy on.  He sits in a booster seat which is plastic and I had a towel and spare clothes with me all the time.  If he had an accident I quickly dried and changed him wherever we were.

For two months or so, we all (in all settings) had to take him to the toilet regularly.  After this he started going by himself gradually.  Now, five months later, he goes at home most of the time by himself or goes to get someone to help him.  He has started doing his at other settings too….
Bing Zhao

If you would like any assistance with toilet training or are unsure if your child is ready to begin, please talk to staff at the centre.

 

Talking Photo Album, frames and key rings

Hello Everyone! It’s the start of term 1 and I’m sure everyone is steamrolling through their days with various appointments and wondering where the time goes. To all of the new families – welcome. You are embarking on a journey which will often be stressful but strengthened by the wonderful support of the Pathways staff. To our existing families – welcome back. I’m sure you will benefit enormously from the continuing innovations initiated by all at Pathways.

For those families who know my family, I’m happy to report that Claude & Rhys started school and they continue to want to go back! We are in the process of establishing their communication needs and working with teaching staff so that everyone is “talking” together. One great assistive tool has been the TALKING PHOTO ALBUM. We are using ours to participate in the class “daily news” and all of the children are enjoying looking at the photos together – it’s a lovely way to share experiences. The album is a fantastic, low cost way to communicate and its really easy for children & adults to use. If you are interested in seeing one, please talk to Pathways ECI as they keep a small stock of them for sale at the reasonable price of $45 each. Pathways ECI also stocks other simple talking photo frames and key rings that can be used in the same way.
Happy journey for the term ahead.

Chrissie