2005 April

Fun World

Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester

Help! BAPG needs you!

Kids Club / Childcare

Transport to the Parents Meetings

Autism Reseach Centre

Parents Meeting held on 10th March 2005

Next Parents Meeting - Wed 20th April, 6:30 to 8:00pm at Priory Campus Lundwood.

Fun World

Our event at Funworld in March went very well. It was great to see so many kids enjoying having a good time.

So, we've booked another one. That is, another exclusive use session for BAPG, Sat 30th April 2005, 4:30 to 6:00pm. As before, it's open to all the children of BAPG parents and their friends. The cost is only £2.50 per child. And remember, the normal height restrictions don't apply for this private event. Please note that parents remain responsible for the children they bring. Back to top

Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester

However, of course, not all of kids are interested in Funworld. So how about a trip to the Science and Industry Museum, www.msim.org.uk. Entry is free for the permanent exhibits, and we're looking into a grant for the coach hire. We don't have a date fixed yet, but it would help to get an idea of numbers if you could let us know if you might be interested? Back to top

Help! BAPG needs you!

Following the plea for assistance in last month's newsletter, many thanks to the one parent who stepped forward. However, as mentioned last month it will be difficult for us to expand our activities without more help, and the running of group will remain vulnerable to the availability of just a few parents. If you find you do have an hour or two a month to help, please let us know. Back to top

Kids Club / Childcare

As mentioned in previous newsletters, we were hoping to setup some kind of club for kids to run in parallel with the Parents Meetings. This would have helped those parents who have problems coming to the meetings who don't have childcare, and also provide some fun for the kids. Unfortunately, we're not going to be able to organise this for a while (see above!). However, we haven't given up hope completely, and will try.

Alternatively, you may be interested in a Computer Club that the Priory Campus run for kids on a Wednesday evening. It's fully booked at present, but you could try contacting Priory Campus for more info and a waiting list Back to top

Transport to the Parents Meetings

Do you need help with transport getting to the Parents Meetings? Can you help by giving somebody a lift on your way to the meeting? We have one parent in Darton who would very much appreciate a lift. Please let a member of the Steering group know if you could help, or indeed need a lift. Back to top

Autism Reseach Centre

If you are interested helping research into Aspergers, you might like to visit www.autismresearchcentre.com/volunteers. There are a number of online tests and questionnaires that they're asking for help with (about both parents and kids). Back to top

Parents Meeting held on 10th March 2005

There was no guest speaker this month. The meeting was left open giving parents more of a chance to chat and share experiences. This worked very well and we'll probably do it again. A few particular points of note to pass on:

- Ruth Coppard reminded us that both she and Andrew Charters are available at the Parents Meetings for any parent who'd to like to speak to them individually. This is a great chance to talk over an issue rather making an appointment in their busy diaries. Thanks to them both for the offer!

- Some parents are unaware that they can claim Disability Living Allowance for their children. This can make a real difference in practical terms to the support we can give our children (especially for those parents who unable to work due to the special support that their kids need). More information can be obtained via links from our website www.bapg.ik.com or by calling the DLA enquiries line 0800 882200. Further, the DLA application form can be daunting. Advice is available on filling out the form (e.g. the appropriate phrases to use and evidence to give) from www.nas.co.uk and also there's a worker in Barnsley who will come out to parents (please contact Steering Group for info).

- Still on the subject of money, there's an even less well known benefit available to parents of disabled children. Social Services 'Direct Payments' will pay for a carer to look after your child for some time. The carer may be known to you already (e.g. a family member) as long as they live at a different address, or they can help you find a suitable carer. There is a lot of flexibility about how the payments can be used, e.g. to provide your child with stimulation and new experiences, short breaks/respite care, day care placement, assistance to attend an activity e.g. youth club, personal care. For more information contact social services or www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/OrganisationPolicy/FinanceAndPlanning/DirectPayments/fs/en. Let us know your experiences if you decide to apply.

- On 27th April, Tony Attwood is speaking in Sheffield. It's not cheap at £75 per parent, but on the other hand, he may not come this way again. More info by following the links from www.bapg.ik.com or by calling CDAP on 01246 583826 Back to top

Next Parents Meeting - Wed 20th April, 6:30 to 8:00pm at Priory Campus Lundwood.

Our invited Guest Speaker will be Lis Manson, an Educational Psychologist from Rotherham who has particular responsibility for Aspergers (and provides training for teachers in her area). The topic will be Anger and Behaviour Management. The session will largely be in Q&A form and is intended to last about an hour.

At the following meeting, 18th May, we will joined by Asher Ravi who is a Consultant Paediatrician. Again the session will largely be in Q&A, and Dr. Ravi will be happy to take questions on most any aspect e.g. sleep problems, medicines, digestive problems, etc.

Following meetings are planned for every third Wednesday of the month, i.e. 18th May, 15th June, 20th July, 17th August, 21st September, 19th October, 16th November, 7th December 2005. Back to top