DS1 (11) was diagnosed with PTSD (and some other long named stuff as well) in June. We knew his transition to high school was never going to be easy but never expected what has happened over the past 5 months.
Anyhow, he loves his high school, has a gang of mates that he travels on the bus with mornings and afternoons, they are all older than him but he seems to get along well with them. He hasn't formed any real friendships in school and we know this is an ongoing issue as he can be extremely demanding (his way or the highway and emotionally immature, bless him).
In October DS1 started EMDR therapy and I have to sit in with him in his sessions. Up until yesterday the work has been to prepare him for the therapy and to make him feel safe. Yesterday the real work started. The guilt and sadness he carries around with him is unbearable and heart breaking and I am so proud of how he coped yesterday and am very grateful to the CAMHS team that he is being given a chance to move on from this and hopefully to lead a happy life. The plus side to all this is that DS1 shows very secure attachment to me, looking to me for reassurance and cuddling up to me when things get tough in the therapy sessions.
School have put DS1 on Action + but the communication from SEN to the teachers seems a bit patchy and now the therapy is underway he is struggling in lessons and at times there is little or no understanding because his difficulties are not visible and because he is very bright and in top or second sets for most subjects so is expected to be "normal". I have rang them today to see what they can do to reiterate his difficulties and as I was on the phone to them he appeared in the SEN Co-Ordinators office during lesson time so he is obviously struggling again today. Now I am sat in my office panicking that he is all alone at school and needs me......
Life at home is not easy, DS2 (9) is also to undergo the same therapy once DS1 is through, but his issues are more grief and anger related and DH is signed off work until the new year as it has all got too much.
I feel as though I could stamp and yell and scream - everyone tells us we are doing a great job but I feel like a failure - no-one seems to know how to help us and my confidence as a parent is at an all time low as we face so much challenging behaviour from both boys.
Next week we celebrate our 7th anniversary as a family and both boys want to party! So that's good news too!
Sorry for the long moan but wanted to see if anyone has any advice or tips from their own experiences which may help us on our journey.
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DS1 with PTSD and undergoing EMDR Therapy (apologies for the long story, )
6 replies
DayDreamingDaisy · 23/11/2011 10:51
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