DS with hypermobility starting school questions

[nutelladipper]

Hi,
I'm after a little advice. My DS is off to school in September and I have a few questions from anyone who is at the same point or been here before!

He is 4 and a half so will be nearly 5 when starts. He has hypermobility particularly in his hips and ankles. He also has low tone.

He is a happy little boy but tires quickly. So my first concern is how well he'll cope with 5 days a week! (He currently does 3 long days at pre school). Did anyone else find this transition hard due to tiredness? As he is one of oldest in year he won't have a phased start and be expected to do 9-3 from day 1.

He is also starting to notice that he is different - asking why he can't catch his friends when playing tag etc. I'm worried about this becoming more of an issue in the playground orPE. Not being picked for things as he's "the slow one".he already cries a lot about not being able to run as fast as his peers. I obviously worry about bullying too as he does run differently to others.

He wears insoles in his shoes and orthotics won't provide a second pair for school trainers. I worry about this as he won't want to swap them into trainers as again he's already aware he's different so he won't want to drawer attention to it. Already asks why he has to wear them etc. Should I just let him not wear them for outdoor games? Orthotics suggested this would be easiest but would obviously hate if he hurt himself. Plus indoor PE it says they need black pumps and orthotics have suggested I request he is allowed to wear black trainers so he gets better support - did anyone else do this?

I think this is pretty much all of my current worries! I'm a worrier!! (And 6 months pregnant so hormonal) I desperately want him to enjoy school and I think he will as he's keen to learn I would hate for any of the above issues to hold him back.

Any advice, experience or thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks

Anyone?

Have you spoken to the school? Given your sons needs they may be able to allow him to be in a group that has a transition into five days.

Also definitely tell them he needs trainers. Not having appropriate footwear will make pe much harder. Tell them reasonable adjustments have to be made for his medical condition and this is one of the adjustments that needs to be made.

Try not to worry about other children. 5 year olds are mostly very sweet and understanding and they may be very kind to your DS.

Also how are your DS's hands/ wrists? It's likely that he may struggle with pen grips and writing if he is hyper mobile in his upper joints.

If so, don't panic. The school should have a range of special pen grips for these situations. Use them asap so that your son gets used to them as they help in the long run. Also ask the school if the SENCO will assess your son to see if he has any other difficulties throughout of the day. If the school can make any adjustments, however small, they can have a good impact on your sons schooling, so push for this assessment.

And most of all, try not to worry too much.

Thanks eggs.

I haven't spoken to the school yet as literally only just had the first parents evening. Should i ask to speak to teacher?

He is ok at pen holding although doesn't use a normal grip. So I'll mention to them.
I hope the other chIldren are nice

I'm not sure they have a SENCO - or do all schools have one?

Thanks

As suggested I would arrange a meeting at school to discuss some of these issues and so they are fully aware from the start. My dd has mild CP and similar issues of low tone and hypermobility so before she started school it was good to speak to head, SENCO and class teacher. She managed without a phased start but was useful in that she was monitored for tiredness and could sit out of activities when tired etc.

Does he have Occupational Therapy? DD has a regular OT going into school to provide help and advice and some equipment including specialist seating and pen grips. DD uses trainers rather than pumps for PE and school have always been fine about it! If he has any difficulty with buttons or dressing is also good for you or OT to make school aware.

Most schools have a SENCO. Speak to the school when they go back, think you can ring the office to explain that you need to discuss your DS's requirements.

The pen grip may not be an issue for your son, it was just to keep an eye on. Pen grip has been our biggest issue as it affects my DC's handwriting.

Kids have been kind to our DC. Especially when they are so little, they seem to accept differences without question. It's when they get older that they notice the difference (think 8-9yo). Hopefully your son will have established friendships by then and it won't be an issue.

I remember my child starting school and being fraught with worry. Most issues can be sorted with good communication with the school, and teachers who understand and want to help your son. Best of luck for both you and DS!

Thanks, I really appreciate your replies. It's helped put my mind at rest. I'll give them a call next week.
He doesn't have OT and was discharged from Physio 12 months ago as she said there was very little they could so as long as he kept active she felt his issues would get lesser as he got stronger. Which by in large has been the case to date but we seem to noticing more of a gap with his milestones which apart from
Walking very late at 24 months have been minimal but now his peers are running around lots, riding bikes etc which he hasn't the strength to do which he finds so upsetting and
Now it's a battle to get him to try. :(

Laura

It's hard to see them struggle as a parent but agree other children are generally very accepting and non judgemental.

I would ask your GP for an OT referral as they can be a very useful service especially for school to tap into. Good luck and hope you can get a meeting with school to put your mind at ease

Thanks all.
Sorry for the ignorance but would an OTs role be?

So an OT would support with fine motor skills and any other practical issues he might struggle with. They provide exercises to develop hand skills (if his low tone affects pen grip, using scissors etc). We have a supportive seat for DD as she has low tone in her trunk and sitting writing/drawing gets tiring for her.

Where they've been really useful for us is providing advice to school because not all schools/teachers have experience of these issues and how they specifically affect the child. My DD is on My Plan+ so it's all written down in there. Your DS may not need that level of support but you and school can still have an OT assessment and advice!

Ds has this on a more minor scale. School have been great, but you need to let his teachers know.
Ds is not aware that he runs slightly differently or that he is not as fast as the others. His confidence has not suffered since starting school and as parents we worry more than the kids do.