Ruth Coleman took her two boys – Leo, then three, and Harry, one – to a NEAS toddler group in County Durham at what was an anxious and isolating time for the family.
Leo was on the waiting list for an autism assessment and could be overwhelmed by new places, while Ruth was apprehensive about taking the boys somewhere on her own.
But the toddler group helped boost their confidence and gave Ruth a better understanding of the family’s needs, which is still benefiting them today. She says:
"The groups meant we could attend a toddler session without worrying what other families would think or judge if the boys couldn’t cope, but it also provided the experience of a structured group."
“It was daunting at first as I hadn’t always had positive experiences when taking the boys out on my own but knowing that everyone there understood our situation meant we were able to keep going every week.
“The boys grew in confidence and then I in turn felt more confident to take them to different activities on my own.”
The family attended the group for a year in the run-up to Leo starting school, and Ruth believes it laid the groundwork for him in a safe and supportive setting.
She says: “The boys could try new activities – especially good as it wasn’t always easy to provide these at home – and explore their interests in a new environment which was great preparation for the routine of school.
“They loved singing and nursery rhymes, listening to stories and having fun with their new friends
"The toddler groups were really important to us and seeing the enjoyment on the boys’ faces each week was lovely."
Ruth also got a lot out of the groups thanks to the support of the trained practitioners who run them and the families who knew what she was going through.
“Especially in the early days, when you are first going through the assessment process and learning how best to support your child, it can be very isolating,” she says.
“The family workers and volunteers were always so knowledgeable, able to listen to our worries or offer advice.
"Even having a five-minute chat or an update of our week often meant the volunteers or other parents would make suggestions, and we could share our knowledge and understanding between ourselves while the children had fun."
Five years later, the family are still feeling the benefits of that early support. Ruth adds: “We know we are all neurodivergent and have a much better understanding of our family’s needs, but if I hadn’t gone to groups like this or joined online family support groups, I’m not sure that would be the case.”
