Dennis is 18-years-old and has been a part of Flexible Childcare Services Scotland’s Peterhead ASN Group since primary school. Dennis has autism and struggles with anxiety.
The Peterhead ASN Group is for children and young people from 5 – 18 years old and provides a safe place for children and young people to develop skills and engage in social activities with people with similar needs. Activities include regular outings to explore the community where the young people are encouraged to act independently, often using technology to check local transport times to pick a different location. The young people are also encouraged to buy and prepare their snacks and meals.
Resources at the group are varied and each group have a cosy sensory area, numeracy and literacy spaces, arts and crafts, sand and water play activities, construction and den building.
The setting has its own enclosed park which the group can use. There is also a local park next door which gives the young people more freedom to explore their surroundings.
The family was referred by Aberdeenshire’s Social Work Team; as well as being one of the only Groups in the area to support children with additional support needs, accessibility was also a crucial factor, as many families with children who have additional support needs often struggle to find appropriate recreational and social opportunities within their communities.
One of the significant benefits highlighted by the family is the respite it provides for parents and caregivers. Having a reliable, supportive environment where their child can safely participate in activities gives family members much-needed time for self-care and managing other responsibilities.
The family strongly believes in the importance of such programs, noting that “ASN parents, and kids, need space.” The club not only provides this necessary space but also helps children “explore the world” in a supportive environment that accommodates their specific needs.
The club has helped Dennis to meet other young people with similar needs and has also prepared him for adult services which he will transition to shortly. It has helped to give him independence, valuable life skills, encouraging engagement with others, interaction with new experiences, time out from the home and family circle to meet new people including the team and new peers.
