To think the SENCO, of all people should be more careful with what she says or am I just being sensitive?

[VictorianSqualor]

DD's sports day yesterday.
DD has recently come to the SENCO's attention as it seems she is possibly/probably dyspraxic.
One of the activities was throwing a bean bag into a hoop, of all the children doing it DD was completely unable, she missed by a long shot or practically dropped it at her feet, every time.

Myself and DP were encouraging her to concentrate, telling her she could do t, to focus etc when the SENCO tells her 'XXX you need to do better, yellow team are way behind because of this' followed by 'Do you need to wear glasses? Can't you see where you are meant to be throwing it!'

The tone of voice wasn't particularly nice and DD's face dropped at the remarks. She knew she couldn't do it, and her team had been in front until this point so being told it all rested on her that they were coming last was unfair surely? Especially when it's the bloody SENCO that is supposed to be monitoring her behaviour re: dyspraxia.

She is 7 btw.

good god
completely awful
are you going to speak to someone about it?

Totally out of order. Am astonished that anybody would say this never mind a SENCo.

No one should speak to a child like that. I would complain immediately.

As a teacher myself I am horrified by these remarks. Poor DD

I would not expect or tolerate that from any teacher, definitely not a SENCO. they should know other strategies of encouraging and motivating the SEN/SN children without making them feel low. not acceptable at all.

sorry to hear this VS

I'm not sure tbh Franny, I don't really want to bring any more attention to it.

Am just thinking maybe this person isn't the best to be dealing with DD's problem.

I don't think that she is a good person to have as SENCO-I wouldn't expect any teacher to say that.

VS I hope you are going to complain to the head, this is unforgivable from a senco of all people

that's absolutely dismal. appalling given she is fully aware of the possible dyspraxia.

Do speak to the head - is he/she approachable?

I'm afraid I don't know what a SENCO is but nobody should say that to a 7yr old child!!

It is really awful, I would have been livid and I do think you need to bring it to the head's attention.

So what exactly is the SENCO doing about her dyspraxia, what exactly does her monitoring consist of and at what point will she decide to refer ?

That's totally unacceptable behaviour from any staff member towards any child let alone from a SENCO to a child with (probable) dyspraxia. I think that I would have a word with the head. I'm totally at the "Do you need to wear glasses?"

LS, the SENCO is the special educational needs co-ordinator.

I don't really know the head, we got a new one the middle of last year, if it was the old one I'd have been there in a shot.

chocolateteapot, the dyspraxia thing was only brought up last week when I asked the class teacher, who had apparently been about to speak to the SENCO herself.
As there are only 3weeks left til DD joins a new class they were just going to keep an eye on her handwriting and other activities in which she uses her hands and do whatever else needs doing next term.

Her teacher did suggest we would get more help, and quicker if I went to our GP, she even offered to write a letter to him to say she thought there were definite indicators, I'm beginning to wonder why now.

I think I would be tempted to bypass the SENCO and go to your GP as the teacher suggested, especially as the summer holidays are coming. In my experiece help at an early age if it is dyspraxia makes a big big difference.

You must take it up with the head. I am gobsmacked and outraged on your behalf. How on earth has she managed to be the SENCO when she obviously has no idea how to treat children.

I just spoke to one of the parents at school who I know has had dealings with her before, she was pretty shocked but said straight away that I should speak to DD's class teacher at the very least.

I don't think anyone has much faith in the new head, probably because the last head was so wonderful, she has a lot to live up to, but I shall bring it up with DD's class teacher at the very least, she doesn't teach Wednesdays so I couldn't do it today.

Oh and I have spoken to my surgery who said to take DD in on Friday, if I call in the morning they cna get me a same day appointment so we are going to go through them instead.

Good move VS. I don't know if it will help you but I found it helpful to go armed with a list of things that you have noticed your DD struggles with or has struggled with in the past.

When I sat down and really thought about it to make my list, I realised that DD's problems went right back to struggling with lumpy food when weaning, struggling to learn to dress, difficulty with potty training. All stuff that builds an overall picture but you just don't realise at the time.

Good luck, please let us know how you get on.

Here too CT, even her not crawling I hadn't thought anything of, my hv just said 'some babies don't'.

My GP wasn't hugely interested in my list but we got the referral and when we got to the co-ordination clinic it was hugely helpful and a lot of stuff clicked into place.

If it is any help, my DD is 9.5 and off to Middle School in September. As it stands at the moment, she won't be on the active SN register which seemed utterly unthinkable when she was your DD's age, so a couple of years with some good support can make a huge difference

How horrible. I wouldn't let her near my child!

I would speak to the head. We have a similar situation in our school, new head after a saint but give them a chance. They need to know what's going on.

Hope your DD is ok.

That is just so wrong on every level. Please speak to the head.