Playgroup for children with autism

For parents with children on the autism spectrum, even playtime can be a challenging experience.

Especially so when other children are involved. But playtime also represents a good opportunity to help improve a child’s communication and interaction skills.

Which is why Cat Noakes-Duncan is starting a playgroup with a difference.

The Naenae mother and trained early childhood teacher has two young boys on the autism spectrum and knows first hand how difficult it can be for parents looking to do their best after their child is diagnosed.

To help give parents better access to professional support, the playgroup will also have professionals such as a speech and language therapist and massage therapist to help children as they play.

Noakes-Duncan said parents often faced waits for such services that were so long their children would miss out on being helped early enough to make much of a difference.

The playgroup would also allow parents who had faced the same experiences with autistic children to share advice and frustrations.

‘‘There’s nothing like going through the experience of having your own child diagnosed,’’ she said. ’’I want to share some of my skills and experience as well as being in a group where there are others who have been through it.’’

The playgroup, for children up to the age of 5 (or 6 if they hadn’t started school), would be based on free play, with children able to focus on playing with what they were interested in.

Through the help of a Givealittle page, Noakes-Duncan had already raised enough money to buy high-quality play equipment for the sessions, including a balance beam with trestles to help develop motor skills.

‘‘It’s all the kind of stuff you’d find in a kindy.’’

To make sure there are no barriers for parents, the playgroup sessions will be free.