Duffryn group gives help to struggling youngster (From South Wales Argus)

Duffryn group gives help to struggling youngster

6:10pm Tuesday 23rd February 2010

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A NEWPORT youngster, who is suffering from an unknown disorder, is being helped out by Duffryn Community Link.

Georgia Lewis of Schooner Circle, Duffryn, received a computer and software to help her catch up with schoolwork after the group bid for £500 from the Monmouthshire Masonic Trust Fund.

Georgia's parents, Sarah, 30 and cleaning supervisor Paul Bishop, 31, spoke of their frustration that the disorder, which they think is Aspergers syndrome, has not been recognised.

Their daughter is now four years behind at school.

Duffryn Community Link Officer Bob Barry said it decided to help after hearing of Georgia's struggles and being touched by "what a wonderful kid she is".

Mrs Bishop, who is a volunteer at the group, has two other children - Thomas, 11 and Joshua, five.

She first realised her daughter had problems at two, when she struggled with speech and communicating.

Georgia acted younger than her age, took things that were said too literally and struggled communicating with other children.

It was only after four years of “nagging and nagging” that a specialist assessed her.

Mrs Bishop said: “They said she has traits of Aspergers, but it wasn’t fully diagnosed because Georgia can role play.

“But, how can the school teach her, how can we help her and how can she fully understand herself, if they don’t tell us what’s wrong?”

Georgia was moved from Duffryn Primary to the Gaer Special Needs Unit in September 2008 because she was so far behind.

Her mother said she is at reception school level, and while she can count to 12 and write her own name, she can’t read properly and has trouble retaining information.

Mrs Bishop added: “Hopefully she can now make progress with constant support at home.”

The software is aimed at visual learning and lets her draw, as well as play games, learning basic numeracy and literacy.

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