Number of kids with LD or additional needs increasing?

[Curiocat]

Hi all,

This is a sensitive topic so want to start off by saying I'm in no way having a dig or being goady etc. From following aibu and other boards it seems like many parents have kids with some form of additional needs and numbers seem to have increased in recent years.

I wondered what the percentage of kids that will have SN/LDs and if the numbers are indeed on the rise, or is it that just that people are open about the issues their kids face, and we talk/are more aware about it more these days?

I could be completely wrong here- just an observation on my part from lurking the past few months, and of course massive well done/ admiration to all parents that do contend with this alongside all the other trials and tribulations that come with children! X

It's not what everyone wants for their child.

But for example on every thread about a child not talking there are 100 people who say they know someone who talked late and now they have a PhD.

Well. .in an ideal world people who don't talk and can't go to university would be equally valued as human beings, and not in a pitying way.

Well, Ds1 might get 10 degrees. Who knows. The jury is out as to whether he'll ever get the hang of wiping his own bum though!

Of course every child who needs support should have it, no matter how able.

And ability is not a predictor of how difficult life will be always.

I am not discounting your DS1 ouryve. I hope you understand that :)

I totally agree with that Fanjo, it takes all people to make the world tick. I believe that.

ourve, no don't worry, I was bullied relentlessly at school, I was quiet and kept myself to myself, actually I was described by a teacher as being a loner. I even got weed upon by a boy at school, I still feel humiliated about that 30 years on, so my self esteem and self worth was at an all time low.

I agree ouryve, it never stops me hoping and wishing for dd, I woukd love her to suit GCSEs, A levels BTEC, you never know. She told me she wanted to be a banker (she's 8), I told her she can be whatever makes her happy, I do nit want to rain on her parade, and totally support her in whatever.

You don't have to leave anyone behind though.
Everyone should be celebrated for their own achievements. For some people the achievement will be passing an exam. For some it will be about raising an eyebrow in a way of communication. For some it will be about passing the electric chair driving test. Each of these achievements are something to be celebrated. Each and everyone should be valued as a human being. Not being able to do stuff shouldn't have any bearing on worth.

I do understand that. It's very important that attitudes to all people with SN are changed, though, whether the primary needs are cognitive/intellectual or social, physical or emotional. Or a mixture.

My thoughts exactly, bloody.

I totally agree with everything, I wish fanrastic support was out there for chikdren to achieve their best. We are in the process of applying for an EHCP for ds 4, who was exactly like me, and has the same difficulties. He is in mainstream nursery, having 121 support, and doing really well. He is under Paed, SALT, specialist teaching team. Wish that support was available to me when I was at school.

Meant ds has similar difficulties to what I experienced. The Paed has said he has some ASD traits, a slight learning difficulty and his main problem is delayed speech and language.

It really shouldn't be such a fight.
A fight for the EHCP.
A fight for how the funding is spent.
A fight to get x,y and z.
A fight for what the pupil premium is spent on.
Fight to get the school that works for the child. A fight to change school because the first one wasn't right.
A fight to get the support in school and adaptations needed.

In an ideal world, it should be diagnosis and then the support is there as standard. And that support is standard across the country.

Although would bloody help is more schools collaborated with each other in general. Save lots of faffing trying what works and doesn't when the school down the road sorted that issue out years ago. (Whole different debate lol).

I've got 5 dc who all have sn. I can't imagine what it would be like not to fight for things.

I think it's important that we do discuss these things. I was a SN child once, getting no help in school because in 1988 you didn't fight, you didn't ask questions. I struggled a lot until I eventually got a diagnosis of dyspraxia aged 20. I don't want my boys to suffer like I did so I talk openly about their SN, fight for what they need and encourage them to be proud of themselves.

I agree with whoever said before about talking about "children with SN" as if they are all the same. My children all have SN but they are all very different children with different abilities. DS1 can play chess but he isn't dry at night. DS4 can barely talk but has an almost photographic memory for music. DS2 has a physical disability and visual impairment but he is so polite and caring. DS5 has the most beautiful smile and gives the best cuddles ever but he can't cope with change, crowds etc. DS3 has a hearing impairment but can make friends in a way that none of the others can.

DS2 and DS4 have more severe needs than the others at the moment but I've never thought of them as being less important and I would hope that other people don't either. Some people do and I tell them that we are equally proud of them all.

Ellie, I'm sorry if I'm being intrusive here, but did you never consider maybe not having 5 children when they all have needs? I know that they're your precious children, but I don't even know how to say this, would you not have stopped?
You've mentioned your own diagnosis, has your husband a diagnosis also? Is there a particular reason why all 5 have some sort of additional needs?

I don't know if ellie thinks it's intrusive, but I do...and hugely insulting tbh, I'm really hoping you didn't mean to, but you've just suggested she shouldn't have had her children because they have SNs, that they are in fact less important than children without them.

Yes I think that was a terrible post.

You didn't know how to say it..maybe that's because you shouldn't have.

Redroses11, are you kidding me?! Tabula has succinctly explained why your comment/question was so breathtakingly rude.

Did you never consider maybe not opening your trap until you'd checked what shit was going to pour out of it redroses?

Perhaps you should get that checked huh?

WTAF Redroses? Can I ask how many children with SN are you allowed to have before you have to book your sterilisation? What happens if you've already reached the acceptable quota and then an accident or illness means you find yourself now over the limit? Do you have to get rid of one? Really some people should have their internet taken away!

I actually think its because parents on here need more support at times, so there's a disproportionate amount posting on here with sn? In real life, I dont know anybody, and, red roses, your comments are dreadful.

elli

Sorry elli that was for Redrose comments, my glasses are broken. Well Redrose you took the words right out of my mouth, shocking comments really they are, they belong in an era 50 years ago, not now.

Yes some things just should never be said, I can imagine my mother saying something like that.

Oh do toddle on Katie Redroses Hopkins, that's the second time you've tried to be deliberately provocative and hurtful on an important topic in the last couple of days.

I agree with the OP, it does seem as if there are a lot more children with SN - but I think that's partly due to perception as more people are diagnosed these days and everyone (except Redroses) has moved on so that children with SN are v much seen to be with their families and society and talked to and about, not hidden away.

Also I find people talk about it more. I talk about my children's 'hidden' disabilities quite openly. People say oh you can't tell! Yep 'hidden' disability!.
It's obvious to some, but not to most.
But I talk to raise awareness, its nothing to be ashamed of. But there are lots of parents I know that don't like to talk so openly of their child's disability, and that's fair enough, that's up to them, but that won't help the stares and general acceptance.