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Ben had recieved portage, until July 2004, to assist in his development due to a global delay. Portage is run by the education department, to help pre-school children with special needs.
The service is based on a home worker coming to the childs house and setting goals/ activites that are easily attainable within a safe and familiar environment. The portage worker assesses the childs needs and focusses on the positives, setting goals which the child can easily achieve through a series of activities. These activities are practiced by the child and his or her parents between visits by the portage worker.
Ben's portage worker visited on a weekly basis during school term time and usually spends an hour working with the Ben and observing his capabilities before setting new goals.
Portage is tailored to each individual's needs and there is no time limit on how long it takes to achieve each goal.
During one of her visits, Ben's Portage worker brought with her a treasure box in order to encourage Ben to reach in and take an object. This worked well so she encouraged me to make my own treasure basket so that Ben had regular access to his own basket and we could then work on his hand-eye co-ordiation, touch, texture and play. This has proved to be a great hit with Ben and he prefers his treasure basket to many of his toys.
(information in text obtained from Devon County Council, Education, Arts and Libraries Directorate, Devon Portage information Leaflet.)
Although Portage was working well, Ben was also recieving input from the 'Starlight Group' at our local Child Development Centre. Here he was given the opportunity to use a sensoty room, consisting of A Bubble lamp, Fibre optic Lights, Soft Music, Colourfull wall projections, a Mirror Ball and soft/relaxing seating.Portage finished in July 2004 due to Ben settling into the Starlight Group and therefore it made sense for Portage to end as he was getting support through the starlight group.
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