2005 May
BAPG is growing!
Funworld
BAPG Kids Computer Club
Home Education
Membership details
Library Books
Steering Group
More Activities
Parents Meeting held on 20th April 2005
Next Parents Meeting
BAPG is growing!
The group now has a membership of over 60 families, with more joining each month. Being a parent of a child with Aspergers can be a lonely business, and although friends and family may try to be supportive it can be very difficult for them to really understand the issues that our children and we face. In some towns there are no local support organisations at all. It's great that in Barnsley we now have so many families who are able to provide support to each other, share experiences and ideas. Back to topFunworld
Our trips to Funworld have worked well, so we're going to plan them as a regular monthly activity. The next one will be Sat 28th May, 4:30 to 6:00pm.We book the place as a private party, which is great because parents don't need to worry about the reactions of others to 'strange' behaviour from our kids. We're all familiar with it! And also, helpfully, the lady who runs Funworld is very supportive (she's used to having groups of kids there with a variety of disabilities and 'issues'). The kids seem to enjoy it as well. The setting seems to help, i.e. the kids can run around doing their own thing, climb the apparatus or they can play with others as they wish (or bombard a stray parent from the ball-pool!).
It's open to all the children of BAPG parents and their friends. The cost is only £2.50 per child. 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
BAPG Kids Computer Club
We're delighted to announce that we're now able to start a Kids Computer Club! We'll see how it goes, but here are the main points:« The club will meet at Priory Campus on the same evenings as the Parents Meeting. We aim to start at 6:15pm. This is to give parents a chance to settle in their kids before the Parents Meeting starts.
« It's open to all children of BAPG parents.
« Not sure of a clear age range yet, but it'll probably be more suitable for older children, with some basic computer skills. We'll see how it works.
« Initial planned activities include building a BAPG Kids website, playing multi-player computer games (i.e. within the club).
« BAPG parents will run the club.
« We hope to create an environment where the kids will be able to chat and co-operate, or just focus on their computer, whatever they prefer. They may learn some computer skills, they may make some friends, but we hope at least to give them an opportunity to have some fun.
« It's free to use. BAPG is paying for the hire of the room and computers.
« At the start we'll need to limit it to 6 places.
If you'd like to book a place for your child(ren) please contact James (see contacts below) Back to top
Home Education
Educating your child at home is no easy course. But some parents have found that it has really helped their child (perhaps due to reduced levels of stress making it easier for the child to learn). Some parents in the group have had experience of this in the Barnsley area, whilst other parents are considering the possibility now. Have you tried home education? Do you know some of the pitfalls? Would you be willing to take a phone call from a parent who is thinking about it? Would you like to know more? If so please let us know (see contacts below) so we can put you in touch. Back to topMembership details
If your contact details change please don't forget to update us (contacts below). In particular, please could you let us know if there's an email address we can use to contact you (as this keeps down our costs). Back to topLibrary Books
Our library of books on Aspergers is developing well. Many are being borrowed each month, and we're adding some more to the collection, hopefully in time for the next meeting. You can borrow a book either at a Parents Meeting (where we set up a table as the 'library'), or by contacting June (see below). A quick plea though - if you've had a book for a few months please could you return it soon so we can make it available to other parents! Back to topSteering Group
As you may know, BAPG has a Steering Group to administer its activities. The Steering Group generally meets once a month. Next meeting is Friday 03 June, 09:30 at Priory Campus café. Any BAPG parent is welcome to come along. If you'd like something discussed but can't come then just contact any of the Steering Group (see contacts below). Loose minutes are produced from the meeting, which are not circulated widely (as they often contain more sensitive info, finances etc.) but if you'd like a copy please let us know. Back to topMore Activities
In particular, at the moment we're trying to set-up more activities for BAPG. Whilst Funworld is great for some kids, it's not right for others (we need a range of activities). And we'd like to get outside funding for them (at least in part). Watch this space! Back to topParents Meeting held on 20th April 2005
Our invited Guest Speaker was Lis Manson, an Educational Psychologist from Rotherham who has particular responsibility for Aspergers (and provides training for teachers in her area). Her topic was Anger and Behaviour Management.Notes of the main points of Lis' talk can be found in the Documents Section under BAPG Parents Meeting - Speaker Notes. Back to top
Next Parents Meeting
Wed 18th May, 6:30 to 8:00pm at Priory Campus, Lundwood.We will be 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. 15th June, 20th July, 17th August, 21st September, 19th October, 16th November, 7th December 2005. Back to top