SEN PARENTS SUPPORT GROUP - Thread 1

[mumofoneAloneandwell]

Hey everyone

this is the original thread that was started for half term:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5491563-half-term-sen-parents-support-group?page=1

but we’re carrying it on since it’s been helpful

all parents of sen kids are welcome - also those who’s sen kids are now adults!

safe space to vent, share advice, tips and tricks, share good news and bad, and just chit chat and be 🙂

i am a mum of one dd. She’s 6 and is autistic and not yet verbal. It’s just us, no support system so I am thankful for the people on here keeping me company through the journey ❤️

@SurreySenMum26 not rude at all. My child is at a specialist school and I would never be bothered by someone new reaching out. I might be too busy to answer straight away but I would get there eventually, I don't think anyone i know has ever minded sharing their knowledge/experience of specialist school/units. I hope the move goes well for you and her. How old is she?

@SurreySenMum26 agree with the above, not rude at all dont worry :) are you also a worrier?

Thank you. The mum has read it yesterday lunch time but not replied. I think I have ASD too so seem to inadvertently put my foot in it.

I'm in a few SEN support groups but for whatever reason in my kids mainstream schools the other SEN parents seem to come across as quite guarded.

She is 11. She was a August born but I chose to start her at school the following year when she was five as I have two older boys with SEN. She was doing great at school in reception until covid. Then got her ASD diagnosis and I appealed for a EHCP.

The EHCP has been nothing but a PITA so I hope I have done the right thing sending her to a unit.

@SurreySenMum26 you sound a lot like me. Do you have real life support? We never know if our decisions are right, we can only hope for the best

I do have some real life support as my oldr two boys are in SEN schools so via thise parents. Also a SEN support group. But with my daughter I fell like a leper at her school. The other SEN parents keep to themselves. Which is real shame as I'd like to feel part of that community. But she is year 6 and dispite a lot of trying, I got nowhere.

Will probably be the same at secondary unfortunately.

The unit she is going to has left her off all of the mainstream induction process. So rather than getting more induction than the mainstream peers, she is getting less. It doesn't bode well. I feel she is being sidelined already.

But I just asked the mum if they did any any induction sessions into the unit and if there was a parents group. Nothing at all about my concerns or anything like that. I was completely neutral. I have asked the unit and they keep on saying "she will just be a mainstream child" which suggests not. Then you worry what's the point of the unit if it means she is missed off the normal mailing lists.

Argh! Any school that seeks to sshh you up feels me with dread.

Not rude at all! I never mind being asked about my dd's experiences xx

Not at all, we're in the same boat in different ways. Or very similar!
I've felt (and do) feel like a failure as a mam, no1 else could do anything more than I do though, petrified, guilty, sad, confused, resentful, thankful... The list goes on and changes by the hour sometimes.
Don't know how u manage it with no sleep xxx

Its mentally draining at times isn't it. The guilt consumes me but like you, I know noone could do better although without the woe me card, I think others have better luck than me! Youre definitely not a failure xx

Thank you xx

Hey everyone, sorry ive been quiet!

Hope youre all okay

Its a late bedtime from us here - dd is awake in bed as I type, just waiting for her to decide to drop off - no sign of that happening yet

Awww hope she goes off soon op. Is she on melatonin? Sorry if I've asked before!

Hope she drops off for you soon!

She has 2mg melatonin but it was stopping her from sleeping through 🤔

Now she typically sleeps through, its just going down that's the issue

❤️

Dd says 'pedo' when she wants to bake cupcakes

Peh doh

Anyone know where she could've got that from? 😄😄😄😳

Haha is she not trying to say play doh?

2mg isn't high. Ds was on 6mg and still doesn't sleep through x

That's a shout 😄, will try offering her play doh next time she says it

I literally can't link it to any other baking words

Oh okay - will see how we cope once school finishes - a late night for us now as we napped today due to my having a cold

Hope everyone is well and ready for school

Is it the last week for you all before the easter holidays? I know that we're split in this group, some will be very much looking forward to the break and some will very much not!

❤️

Last week of school before the holidays. Mixed feelings about the holidays, the lack of routine is hard for DD but she is always so relieved not to be at school so the first few days are lovely, then the lack of structure / routine kicks in.

@RavenLaw the lack of routine is a nightmare for us in the hols. Solidarity!

@mumofoneAloneandwell I've now caught ds cold been up coughing all night. Cant blame you for napping. Hope you managed a decent night's sleep.

We missed school today - i am just exhausted

4 days left after today - the things they must be saying about me but i'm too tired to care 😴

Dd is poorly too

@Helplessandheartbroke ❤️ sorry girl - fwiw i'm on day 4 and its mostly a cough now.

@RavenLaw how old is dd? Sorry, I know its tough

That's the thing, the first day is bliss - i'm never happier than on the Monday morning of a school holiday 😄

@Dunnowhatimat I just saw your previous post - how are you feeling? Youre the furthest thing from a failure 🥺 xx

Sending love and strength lovelies !

one day things will be better xxx

We break up this Friday too, and the 2 weeks off are in honesty a bit of a killer.

He manages okay with the change in routine, but the days are just so full on trying to fit keeping him busy and entertained around working etc.

If anything it’s us that struggle with how absolutely exhausting the holidays are, he has a whale of a time!

This - one day at a time girls (and any guys who are here)

'It's us that struggle while he has a whale of a time'

😄😄 isn't that just the way! My dd has happily watched me clean up her mess whilst saying 'tidy up'

Its tough while having to work as well 🥺

@mumofoneAloneandwell ds is just coughing slightly now, mines keeping me up.

@SleeplessInWherever I struggled in the holidays too especially with working. Solidarity