Help me understand the Strong Start Playgroup

[Anonymous]

So after a year we finally got off the waitlist for a playgroup.

They just sent out an email survey, asking if we have developmental concerns about DS and if he receives services/therapies.

I am confused because, by default wouldn't kids in a Strong Start playgroups be receiving services/have developmental concerns? Am I missing something?

[Anonymous]

I think its really to get more information about YOUR specific child. I don't think its required to have a developmental issue to be in the playgroup. I was told by strong start that even if my daughter doesnt quality for strong start services she can be part of the playgroup.

[Anonymous]

OK. This makes sense. Although slightly frustrating because we've been on the waitlist for over a year, and I think priority should probably go to kids who developmentally need playgroups. Not qualifying for strong start means your kid is not delayed. So you could make a play group just by going to the park and playing with other typical kids

[Anonymous]

I think that there are kids who are delayed, but don't qualify for services/therapy because they are not delayed enough. So maybe they can come to the playgroups? Just wondering -- what location/day is your playgroup? We are enrolled in the Saturday mornings playgroup at Martha's Table but there is low attendance. Yet we get emails saying that if we don't want to be involved, let them know because they have a waitlist.

[Anonymous]

This is surprising to me b/c back in 2012-2013 when my son was attending these playgroups at the Joseph P. Kennedy Institute and the Hill Center at Old Naval Hospital, I'm pretty sure there was no wait list--there were often not many attendees, and I got emails all the time seeing if we could come.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is surprising to me b/c back in 2012-2013 when my son was attending these playgroups at the Joseph P. Kennedy Institute and the Hill Center at Old Naval Hospital, I'm pretty sure there was no wait list--there were often not many attendees, and I got emails all the time seeing if we could come.

Sounds like they opened it up, and were too successful.

[Anonymous]

We participated in 2011/2012. OP, there are lots of kids out there whose parents/doctors recognize are delayed but don't recognize how significantly. I brought my daughter to the developmental playgroup to work on milestones that I knew she was behind on despite still falling within "normal" range -- for instance, she was 18 months old and had never taken a step, but that's considered by many to be typical. Many people discouraged me (including her pediatrician AND Strong Start employees!) from having her evaluated for EI services -- she was just so good at compensating for her challenges that it made her appear "not delayed enough." As it turns out, she has significant neurological challenges, and has been in near-daily therapy (public and private) for years now. She's still behind in all domains, but she is a very bright and resourceful child, so she's still covering up her challenges and passing as typical.

Honestly, I haven't met that many parents who would choose to bring their typical child to a playgroup intended primarily for children who are delayed. I suspect that many of the parents and caregivers on the waitlist are looking for ways to support their kids who they know are delayed but might not have gone through evaluations yet.

[Anonymous]

How do you get on the waitlist? Sounds like a great experience!

[Anonymous]

And some kids are in Strong Start for a disability, which is different than a developmental delay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We participated in 2011/2012. OP, there are lots of kids out there whose parents/doctors recognize are delayed but don't recognize how significantly. I brought my daughter to the developmental playgroup to work on milestones that I knew she was behind on despite still falling within "normal" range -- for instance, she was 18 months old and had never taken a step, but that's considered by many to be typical. Many people discouraged me (including her pediatrician AND Strong Start employees!) from having her evaluated for EI services -- she was just so good at compensating for her challenges that it made her appear "not delayed enough." As it turns out, she has significant neurological challenges, and has been in near-daily therapy (public and private) for years now. She's still behind in all domains, but she is a very bright and resourceful child, so she's still covering up her challenges and passing as typical.

Honestly, I haven't met that many parents who would choose to bring their typical child to a playgroup intended primarily for children who are delayed. I suspect that many of the parents and caregivers on the waitlist are looking for ways to support their kids who they know are delayed but might not have gone through evaluations yet.

Point taken. A few weeks out I have a better perspective. Was just disappointed to be at yet another place where DS wasn't 'enough'.