Sedu

[Gloominous]

Hi, just wanting to know if anyone can give me some advice about what to expect at a SEDU. What should I look for? Do I hang around? etc. We have an appt on friday to fill in formal paperwork but I'm still a bit in the dark about what they are going to do.

Thanks to anyone.

[Lirael]

I dont have much positive to say about them sorry

[Lunar]

OK, call me a dope but my mind has gone blank! What is SEDU short for again? (It's been a long day)

[Gloominous]

Special Education Development Unit (I think, Dont hold me to it!)


Cel: Did you have a bad experience with them or were they just not worth it etc? Im looking for all opinions so plse fill me in.

[Lunar]

I don't think they call them that here in NSW.
What age is your child? Is this a school age thing or younger?
I am just trying to get the gist of it so I can compare it to the equivalent of services in NSW.

[Gloominous]

Hi, my DD is 4 (starts school in 2008).
It's an early intervention program to help with her speech and learning delay. Apparently 1-2 days per week in small groups(Specific to ability). That's pretty much all I know hence why I'm asking!!
I just want some opinions as it is going to be extremely difficult for us to get there (3 x buses & 1 x Train) adn I want to know that it's going to be helping her alot.

[Lunar]

Oh, ok, sounds very similar to things DD has been and still is in. I think the world of them. You can only try. Being around other children is always good. And any therapy you can get is great too!
DD used to be involved in a group therapy session once a week every second term, she loved it and she learnt alot too. We gave it away as it was not suited to us anymore. But she is still involved in a group therapy session once a week for 3 hours, a small group, more one on one with teachers, she loves it and has come along so much since attending.

At the end of the day, you can say you tried it and it didn't work, or you can be over the moon and love it!
I know it seems a far way to travel but the benefits mat far outway that.

Hope this helps.

[Can I?]

I can't speak highly enough of our early intervention unit. It is run by the education dept here, so I guess it is the same thing? My son is off to school next year and he has come along so well after a year of groups etc at early intervention. He loves it too. The thing that is best are the skills that it is hard to teach at home but are important at school, like sitting on the mat and listening and waiting until it is your turn etc. They have a great many tricks for dealing with kids that are a little more difficult, and I have learnt a lot too. Plus they run info sessions for parents, which have been a godsend.

[Gloominous]

Thanks Ladies, I get to drop in tomorrow so I guess i'll get a good look around and as you say Lunar, I can only try and hope for the best.
Can I? , yep this is run by the education dept too, I'm just a bit worried that it's too much like school IYKWIM, sometimes DD needs help to go to the bathroom etc so I just wanted to suss out what they are like.

Thanks Again

[tickle]

Hi there,
I've had some involvement with special schools and SEDU's more specifically for a while. I think you will find it worthwhile, there will be access to speech therapists etc, and lots of learning and fun.
If you don't mind me asking which school you are going to?
If you want to chat feel free to PM me.:)

Edit: Sorry just read your post. Don't worry about the toileting etc. It is very different to school and a very relaxed atmosphere in that sense.

[Gloominous]

Hi Tickle, we are already seeing a speech thearipist and it was on her and an educational psychologist recommendation that we take DD to get some early help. It was personally recommended that we go to Woody Point (redcliffe) so that's the one I'm headed for hopefully. Although there are 2 closer to us this is supposed to be better.

[Can I?]

Hi Altmum

I'm not sure about your SEDU, but ours sees kids with many different abilities, so toileting issues are absolutely fine. My son is independent in the toilet, but when I go for parent info I leave my 2 year old with them too, and they change his nappy if they need to. They are wonderful caring people who understand how to relate to our special kids, and my kids seemed to click with them straight away.

Good Luck!

[Jacks Mummy]

altmum, from what I remember woody point was one of the best ones on the northside. But that is going back a few years when I lived in bald hills. It varies also on what you expect to get out of sedu. We started off with a government one and found it rather lacking. The waiting lists are always to long and the help was always to far spread out for it to have an impact. We now go through one in werribee call noah's ark west or formally known as westarc. The girls are more hands on and we got more help then we did with the government one.

[Gloominous]

Thanks everyone, had our meeting on friday, I think they gave me to much info all at once cos now i've got more questions than ever! Should be all systems go for next week start. but I'm going to have a meeting with the teacher first so that will hopefully give me some more answers. All a bit much to take in ATM, but got a flyer out for private tutoring today, think I'll keep it close just in case.