Hayley Goleniowska is a writer and speaker working with parents, teachers and medical professionals as well as self-advocates who have Down's syndrome.

She is known for her award winning blog downssideup.

We are delighted that Hayley will be joining us as a key note speaker at our forthcoming National Portage Association Conference.

fink Cards

These fink cards are divided into 4 sections and provide 48 conversation cards to help new parents

• separate the facts from myths about Down's syndrome

• talk through feelings and concerns after a new diagnosis of Down's syndrome

• get the early support and intervention they need as a family

Perfect for new parents, early years practitioners and health professionals.

These cards support those using them to talk through one queston at a time together or choose topics to discuss and think about at an appointment or home visit.

'fink' Card Review

I was honoured and delighted to be asked to review new fink conversation cards ‘Talking About Down’s Syndrome, Conversations with Parents’ written by Hayley Goleniowska.

I have had the privilege of working with children with SEND and their families for my entire professional career. In my current consultant role at the National Portage Association I now draw on my experience and rich and diverse work with families when looking at potential new resources.

This colourful, portable pack of ‘fink’ cards is divided into 4 sections, each focusing on a different area. These include getting to know your baby, exploring emotions following diagnosis, dispelling myths and looking at support as well as conversations about family life, relationships and adjustments every family may go through.

Hayley campaigns about inclusion and changing the way the world views Down’s syndrome and has developed the cards with this in mind, as well as supporting parents to talk through feelings and concerns whilst navigating their way through fact and myth.

The cards will be of great support to Portage practitioners and Portage Teams, particularly newly trained, to look at new ways of working with families and opening up what may be difficult discussions.

Hayley gives an inspirational introduction to the pack by congratulating families on the arrival of their little one; focusing on the positives, without ignoring the challenges, of having a child with Down’s syndrome.

Coming from a Portage background, I totally commend the positive message, getting to know every child as the unique individual they are and working with every family in a flexible way. These cards can support Portage practitioners and those running Portage based play sessions.

It’s a simple idea, executed well with carefully selected questions; I could relate to similar conversations I have found myself in with families as a professional offering support.

Such a resource offers opportunities to discuss topics that close family, friends and professionals may feel reluctant to raise but that are important to talk about.

For practitioners looking to develop their skills and expand on the often creative activities needed ‘up their sleeve’ to support families in the best and most positive way, this compact pack of cards will not only support individual Home Visitors but also team discussions, training and professional development.  

A great resource for any Portage/Home Learning workers bag of tricks!