Playgroup deals with autism spectrum
A government-funded playgroup for children with autism or who are suspected of having the disorder will soon begin in Umina.
The Play Connect group will be held at St Andrews Anglican Church in Umina every Monday from 1pm to 3pm starting on March 8.
Playgroup development facilitator Ms Marianne Fraser said the group was an informal way for parents to meet others who are going through similar challenges with their children.
"I will also demonstrate some ways of working with the children to enhance their development and be a support for the parents at all times," Ms Fraser said.
"The group is specifically for children who are waiting to be diagnosed with autism or have been diagnosed as being on the Autism Spectrum.
"Children do not need to have a definite diagnosis to attend, but there must be some concern about the children's atypical development."
Ms Fraser said the main areas of difficulty for children who have Autism Spectrum Disorders are impaired social interaction which may include limited use and understanding of non-verbal communication.
"The children often have difficulty forming and sustaining friendships, and many like to play alone," Ms Fraser said.
"They often have delayed language development, repeating words and phrases from TV, and have difficulty with imaginative and make believe play.
"They may also have intense interests, and sometimes they repeat movements such as hand flapping and spinning.
"There is also a milder form of the disorder called Aspergers Syndrome, which shares many characteristics of other autistic children but does not have any delay in language development and often has advanced mathematical ability.
"All children under school age are welcome, and parents who have an older autistic child and who have a young child under six may also attend to give support to other parents."
Ms Fraser is a retired preschool-kindergarten teacher from Umina with experience in teaching children in special education.
"Even if a parent is just a little worried that their two or three year old does not seem to be acting quite like their friends children they are welcome just to come along," Ms Fraser said.
For more information or to express your interest in attending the playgroup, contact 1800 171 882 and 0400 713 273.
Press release, 1 Jan 2010
Marianne Fraser, Playgroup Association of NSW