Portage

Portage is a home-visiting educational service for pre-school children with special or additional needs and their families.

Portage assesses the needs of young children with delayed development and then, in partnership with parents, builds on the abilities the child already has to stimulate the development of new skills, by breaking them down into quickly achievable steps.

Portage originated in the late 60’s in a town called Portage in Wisconsin, USA. It was set up as a home based early intervention model for families who had pre-school children who were either delayed in their development or had been diagnosed with a medical condition which were known to affect development.

How does it work?

Initially the child’s development is observed by a Portage visitor and recorded in the following areas -:

• Social skills
• Self help
• Motor skills
• Cognitive skills
• Language skills
• Infant stimulation

Looking at the skills a child has acquired, plus emerging skills he/she is beginning to demonstrate, the portage visitor and parents decide on teaching objectives. Each skill is broken down into small steps via a series of linked activities to stimulate the child’s development. Portage programmes are specifically designed to meet the needs of the individual child and to enable him/her to learn as effectively as other children. Portage emphasises the positive and builds on what children can already do.

More information about Portage Visitor.