Welcome gateway for Archie
Program helps families
SUPPORTIVE playgroups are bringing relief and joy to families of children with special needs.
Kate Spencer had almost given up on mainstream playgroups for youngest son Archie Sexton, 4, when she heard about Gateways Early Intervention Therapy Playgroup.
“I’d had such bad experiences with typical playgroups because they made me feel ostracised. Archie hated it,” the Highton mother-of-four said.
“I was reluctant to try again, but at the Early Intervention Playgroup I soon saw that Archie was celebrated for being himself.”
Finding a group that not only nurtured her child, but also did not judge her parenting was game-changing.
“It’s not just a great playgroup for the kids, it is also an awesome group of mums and dads who are there to help you,” Ms Spencer said.
“The other parents get your experience, so you can bounce ideas around and they genuinely share in your child’s progress. It is so nice not to feel alone.”
Archie was diagnosed with autism about two years ago.
At the Early Intervention Therapy Playgroup, he and his family found support, acceptance and encouragement.
Gateways runs playgroups in Geelong and western Melbourne.
The weekly sessions — funded under NDIS Early Childhood Early Intervention — are conducted by an occupational therapist and a speech pathologist, who work with the child and parents to develop social, communication, physical and self-management skills.
Early Intervention Therapy Playgroup speech pathologist Clare Glazebrook said in addition to building developmental skills, the sessions also familiarised children with indoor play, group music, snack time, story time and outdoor play.
Ms Spencer said Archie was able to attend three-year-old kinder while still attending playgroup sessions.
She said her son was more than ready to step confidently into four-year-old kinder this year.
“Through
attending
the playgroup he was able to get used to having other kids in his space,” she said.
“He can now tolerate other people singing and has learned how to make requests using picture exchange communication.
“I would definitely recommend people go along and try it out.”
Registrations for 2021 close on January 29.
The playgroups are for prekinder aged children, and families require Early Childhood Early Intervention NDIS funding to enrol.
For more, visit gateways. com.au/information/earlyintervention-therapyplaygroups