"I'm an SEN mum"

[drspouse]

Of course my child goes to a school you haven't heard of.

Of course I have a full pack of complaint letters in my back pocket.

Of course I'll leap on you to exchange stories if you're another SEN parent.

Of course I know what all the acronyms stand for, DLA, EHCP, AR, LEA, we've got it all.

Of course the LEA doesn't bother providing my child with the education they are legally entitled to.

Of course I don't want to discuss your child's grammar school application. No, not their prom dress or school trip woes either.

(Feel free to continue in the TikTok vein, if you have contradictory experiences just put them down, no need for discussion, this is Chat not AIBU!)

We use neurospicy in our house as we have a fabulous mix of neurodiversity as well as other conditions. Ps yesterday I had to rescue my 19 yo wheelchair used from our through lift, they're bloody heavy! My back hurts.

Your SIL is batshit.
I don't like the word neurospicy but if you like it, you use it

Oh no! Have you had a wee rest of your back at least?!

I am a SEN mum and don't understand my child's needs. We've only known for 9months there were traits and now have a diagnosis (we went private). We're at an independent school who won't support him and now we can't get him into specialist schools as we don't have an EHcP.

I don't know what is him being awkward/ can't be bothered (because let's be clear we can all be awkward/ not bothered) and what is autistic.

Yesterday I used the 'he's autistic' and the swimming teacher rolled his eyes at me.

I feel like the worst human ever.

And I use Neurospicy! I get what others say but we're not accepted anyway

That reminds me of the recent occasion when I told DS he could have some more to eat at the cafe if he queued up because my legs were tired, and I'd pay. I was drinking my coffee at the table and apparently he pushed in - multiple adults told me so - I explained that I was actually very proud of him for standing in the crowded queue and that he had a hard time with crowds.
But MY son is autistic and HE doesn't push in, says a mum to a 4 year old she is firmly holding on to.
Well, my son isn't autistic and surely you'd realise that not all people with disabilities are the same, if you have a family member with a disability? (I may have already told this story in this thread).

Anyway, I'm an SEN mum and we literally cannot think of an extracurricular school club in our area that DS has not already been to and been told he's "not interested so why are you bringing him" or "can't come any more because he's not paying attention/being disruptive". The only exceptions are advanced sporting clubs where he hasn't done the earlier stages and as he has dyspraxia, he's unlikely to be able to keep up with his peers.

I'm a SEN Mum, and I was ignored by my GP for 6 years based on the assumption that my son was unable to regulate, wouldn't eat, soiled himself and has whole body tics due to me being a single parent.

I'm a SEN mum, I have a masters degree in my career area, but manage little more than admin. I'm more likely to lose my job than you.

I'm a SEN mum, I never stop worrying about my 9 year old son. I'm the only mum that stays to watch football training because he is easily bullied.

I'm a SEN Mum, I spend a fortune on food shopping for the few items my son will eat without throwing up.

I'm a SEN mum, my son has been man handled at school by teachers trying to work in our shitty school system more times than I care to say.

I'm a SEN mum, and I don't know if my son will ever be able to keep a job or a home.

I'm a SEN mum, and I'm tired all the time.

I could cry for each and every one of us!

I've had a total of 10 hours sleep in the past 3 nights combined and I just want to cry! I hope tonight is better.

Me too @Helplessandheartbroke. Son up to 3 am at the moment and I have to get up at 6.30. I can't go to sleep before he settles as the bloody doors in our house can be opened from the inside, and he has gone outside at odd hours in the past. If anyone has a solution to this, easy to fit alarms etc, could they please let me know!

@AInightingale I feel your pain! I've been up since 3am and worked all day. It's rough isn't it like torture!

There is definitely a lock you can buy I'll see if I can find it x

Could any of these work?

Or could you fit a heavy duty hook and eye right at the top of the door out of reach?

He's taller than me! (16).
Thanks so much for the link, I do need something like that. Tho my son is very good with tech and could probably disable an alarm! My mum had one on the door of her dementia- friendly flat, so I know they do work.

Best of luck!

I'm a sen mum. I'm having a really hard time at the moment, and worries are getting on top of me.

I'm a sen mum, I want my child to have the same opportunities as others.

I'm a sen mum. My child is my whole world, and it breaks me apart thinking about the challenges he faces.

I'm a sen mum. I want my child to be loved and accepted for who he is.

I'm a sen mum. I often feel lonely, even when with others.

I'm a sen mum.

Im a sen mum and I've had the worst headache since monday due to us having 3 hours sleep.

Im a sen mum and I wouldn't change my boy for the world. I wish I could change the world for him.

I am an SEN Mum. I cannot sit down and chat with the other Mums at birthday parties. My child needs constant supervision.

I am an SEN Mum. If I take my child on holiday alone I am told how brave I am and how their child is autistic but not as severe as mine.

I am an SEN Mum and I haven’t slept properly in ten years.

I am an SEN Mum and I have to speak in code as if my son hears a certain word like chicken nugget- you had better bloody have some chicken nuggets there and then!

I am an SEN Mum and I feel such joy if my son says a new word.

I am an SEN Mum and I will never stop fighting and advocating for my son.

I'm a SEN mum, but I feel a fraud as other people have it harder.

I'm a SEN mum with an adult DC who can't do half the things parents on MN say 'I would have failed as a parent if my adult child can't do X'

I'm a SEN Mum and my child has no friends.

I'm a SEN Mum and have elderly parents, and I'm torn in two and I'm exhausted.

Sending solidarity to all us SEN mums. World's toughest and best job

I'm a SEN mum and no he doesn't need "tough love" aka forced.

I'm a SEN mum and no one understands the acronyms I say.

I'm a SEN mum and every single day is a fight against judgement.

I'm a SEN mum and my own mental health is suffering.

I'm a SEN mum and remaining positive and optimistic seems impossible.

I'm a SEN mum and I'm a force to be reckoned with.