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Jigsaw group puts pieces together for kids

Thursday, 04 June 2009

A NORTHSIDE mum is appealing to other parents who have children with learning disabilities to join her unique parent and toddler group. Jacinta Fortune of the Navan Road founded the Jigsaw Dublin 7/11 club two years ago. The kids’ group caters for children with special needs including those with ADHD, Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Asperger’s Syndrome, pre or post diagnosis. Jacinta and three other mothers established the social group, which helps children who have learning disabilities to integrate with other children. The club also is also a vital support system for the parents of children with speech, language and learning difficulties. “The club has gone from strength to strength,” Jacinta told Northside People. “We started with what were essentially coffee mornings that gave a few parents the opportunity to talk to others in a similar situation and for the children to interact with one another. “Then we started to network and learned that there were so many other parents in our position and there’s no support available to them. “Now we have a weekly organised playgroup with 13 children as young as three and a half up to 10 years old. “We’ve also hired an occupational therapist and a worker from Dublin City Council who comes to work with the kids.” The Jigsaw club is held in the Cabra Parkside every Friday night from 5pm to 6pm and is a vital means for the children to interact with other children in similar circumstances. “My son Daniel has verbal dyspraxia which affects his speech and language,” she explained. “Although he is six years-of-age he can only really say things like ‘I want’ and ‘I go’. You couldn’t put him in a classroom with children his age because he doesn’t even have pencil skills so he receives home tuition. He loves kids but it’s very difficult for him to interact with them, that’s why this group is so important for him. “Added to that we have the fact that he was supposed to go to a mild learning disability class but all the finding has been pulled for those so he’s left with nothing.” Jacinta knows only too well the difficulties faced by those who have children with special needs. “The occupational therapy is also an extremely important part of the Friday sessions because some children are simply not getting the services such as the therapist that they need.” Jacinta explained how the wait is long for children in need of occupational therapy (OT). “Ideally Daniel should have been getting OT once a week but we waited so long for it that we ended up hiring our own therapist. We spent e10,000 on private speech and language therapy while we waited for the services we were entitled to. She added: “Many parents in our position have no idea what services are available to them such as carers allowance, home tuition or home help. That’s another reason why this club is no important.” • For further information on Jigsaw Dublin 7/11 playgroup contact Jacinta Fortune 0879940602 or Orlagh McGrail 087-7804705.