"They are a blessing to us"

My daughter had an initial visit from Staff at the CDC to carry out a SOGS assessment after I raised concerns regarding her development, our Health Visitor referred us. The staff came out to our home in May of this year.

Mollie, the Team Leader and Alana, Educational Home Visitor came out originally to chat to us about our concerns and get to know our daughter. They were so supportive and then Mollie and Chloe came out to carry out the SOGS assessment.

We were emotional at this visit as our daughter did not engage at all in the exercise, she didnt look at the staff or acknowledge them really at all, she didnt really touch or play with any of the toys. During a visit for the feedback of the assessment, we were told she would benefit from CDC involvement as she was significantly delayed in 2 areas of her development.

We were given a PSCT Support Plan which described in detail what areas were a concern and what the staff and us at home can work towards. Myself, as her mother and her dad, take everything on board at CDC. Its a vital service not just for the children but I would argue more for the parents. I tell everyone it feels like every week we come home with one extra tool in our toolbox and sometimes with "homework" little tasks or challenges.

For example to encourage our daughter's gross motor skills and being able to solve puzzles Teri her key worker suggested using what she fixates on the most and hide it in easy tupperware boxes, things like her dummy or chewbuddies, we did this and when she managed to use her fingers to peel the lid of we made it more difficult by hiding it in boxes with clasps she would need to release. The "game" level would intensify and she would play along with these and other challenges. She now hides them herself and drags me to find them! These little simple tools and techniques have really worked and we go at her pace to solve these things and she's really progressing cognitively and mentally.

An opportunity for input from Targeted SALT Team- speech and language came along when we attended one of the pop up sessions run at the centre. Their input alongside the parent advice line is another key essential role in my daughters life.

I tell people I didnt need taught how to be a good mum, but the knowledge and experience the staff share with us, from how to talk with her; using one word sentences, to intensive interactions, how to understand her, how to deal with her needs and read her and really tune in to her communication are a very short description of ways in which CDC teach me every week how to be the best parent for her and her needs.

There are so many ways in which they have encouraged us to become better parents, the kind of parents we need to be for a young child who has delays in her development. They have shaped our lives in ways we couldnt imagine they would and continue to do so week in and week out. I cannot thank them enough for the essential service and the key role they play in my daughters life. She has come on leaps and bounds, she trusts the staff like they are family. She looks to them for help and playtime, she engages with them, she keeps eye contact and also loves to play with the other children. She has improved massively and we have only been attending since May/June time.

I look forward to the CDC sessions every week and she runs in there and loves it! We have just finished our Summer Sessions which for the summer holidays they put on activities for the kids. We have loved the CDC fun days at the leven centre and our visit to Jumping Jacks in Glenrothes. All the toys are sensory orientated and really give her and all the other kids the input they need.

It has been so nice to be around the other children and parents who attend the CDC. As a mother of a child developing differently, I have my anxiety and insecurities about will my daughter ever being to speak and communicate, will she make friends, will she be alone in this world? All these anxieties disappear when we are at CDC because she fits in just how she is, she is "different" at nursery and at the park, sometimes i tell people she sticks out like a sore thumb.

When we are at CDC we are all for one and one for all and although all the children have different needs we all understand they importance of space and patience and understanding and dignity for the children.

They are a blessing to us and the impact the staff have on our lives will always have a special place in my heart.