Max is 3.5years old and was diagnosed during pregnancy at 20 weeks with Down Syndrome, at 3 years he was also diagnosed with a mild – moderate learning disability, he also has Nystagmus in both eyes as well as one eye long sighted and the other short sighted.

Max started Bumblebees when he was 1 years old, at the time of starting Max was unable to sit up unaided, he found it difficult  to clasp objects and was yet not moving around (crawling or cruising).

Bumblebees has been excellent support on moving forward Max’s physical development as well as language and concentration skills, Bumblebees is definitely the source of Max’s great love of jumping! Bumblebees continuously assesses the children to ensure they are in the correct group for their development to ensure the sessions are tailored to the correct level required – as well as ensuring the children are attending sessions alongside peers who are generally the same development stages to support socialising skills as well.
Bumblebees has provided many exercises and strategies to use at home to promote development, Bumblebees staff also use a variety of Makaton signs during sessions which Max, and myself, picks up and takes away from the session. Max used to not enjoy sitting down and doing the table exercises but Max has now built up to sitting at the table for around 2-4minutes to do colouring, painting and crafts something that 6months ago wouldn’t have happened.
In regards to support to families Bumblebees is a very open and welcoming environment, you know when you walk in if you have had a hard morning they will pick this up and they will give the parent more support that day whether this is doing the exercises with your child or offering you a cup of tea. The staff will pick up when parents are talking about a subject that may need a bit of extra time to chat about, they will offer to continue the work with the children in the other room and let the parents have time to discuss the topic in the first room – this is always appreciated.

Overall Bumblebees is a huge part of our lives, it brings us support and friendship in a variety of different ways.

Hayley and Max