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Original poster

More worries about DS1

45 replies

pinkchampagne · 04/02/2007 11:56

I have posted about my eldest son before.
He has dyspraxic traits, but even though there have been concerns from nursery age & the school now have him down under school action +, nobody seems to be in a hurry to get him referred.
I have spoken to both my HV & the school SENCO, but because there is lots going on at home atm, they don't feel the need to do anything yet.
I know that a proper diagnosis won't change anything, but he is in year 2 now & his problems seem far more noticable.
I worry about him so much & just don't know what I can do to help him.

OP posts:
Original poster
pinkchampagne · 05/02/2007 18:01

I dread doing his homework with him because it is such hard work to even get him to sit upright to do it, never mind produce whatever work is expected.
In class he has a poor concentration span & needs to be constantly kept on at to listen or do his work.
He will be doing SATs soon & I fear he will just sit there doing nothing, because this is what often happens when he is left to get on.
His reading is very good, but he really struggles with writing & still reverses a lot of letters & numbers.
The difference between DS & his peers is now becoming more noticable than ever & I fear that he will start getting picked on.
He is always alone in the playground while the other children are playing & has recently started hand flapping a lot.
I work at the school he attends, so I see him in the playground & it upsets me.
I don't know what I can do for him.

OP posts:
coppertop · 05/02/2007 18:03

Can you bypass the HV and ask the GP for a referral to a Developmental Paediatrician?

Aloha · 05/02/2007 18:04

I think he needs a referral, for your sake and his. I have no idea if he has dyspraxia or Aspergers or anything else you are worried about, but you need some help here, that's clear. Talk to your GP about a referral. Bugger the school and HV if they are no help. The school is probably terrified you'll go for a statement! How old is he? My ds has dyspraxia and Aspergers btw. Can your ds use a keyboard? It's a real lifesaver for a lot of dyspraxic kids.

Aloha · 05/02/2007 18:05

Yes, GP and INSIST!

Original poster
pinkchampagne · 05/02/2007 18:05

Could I do that without the back up of SENCO & HV?

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Aloha · 05/02/2007 18:09

Absolutely.

Original poster
pinkchampagne · 05/02/2007 18:13

He is 7, Aloha & has had an IEP since nursery days for his social & interaction problems.
School became concerned within months of him starting in reception & we used to have meetings with the SENCO, and they did have someone in to look at him, but he was apparantly having a good morning that day & nothing much came from it.
I think the SENCO suspected AS, but after seeing a link on here for dyspraxia, I was alarmed at how perfectly 99% of the symptoms fitted DS. I ticked all relevent symptoms & gave a printout to the SENCO.
She agreed it all fitted & said she had never thought of dyspraxia, but has since done nothing. It's like they are just assuming he has dyspraxia, but not pushing for further referral.
Every year I dread him moving up a year group because of the extra challanges involved.

OP posts:
Original poster
pinkchampagne · 05/02/2007 18:15

I know a lot of AS & dyspraxic symptoms overlap

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Aloha · 05/02/2007 18:15

This is nuts. How can he have treatment for an undiagnosed condition? Please, see your Gp and get a referral to a developmental paediatrician. The help my ds gets is because he has been diagnosed. Otherwise he would not have had an OT in the school today, a paediatrician coming to assess his intelligence next week and the Autism support worker coming the day after that!

Aloha · 05/02/2007 18:17

I'm not criticising you btw, just the school. Please don't wait for them to do anything. BLimey, they totally forgot to give me ds's last IEP, and have forgotten again this time (sigh, got to get onto it AGAIN) so don't rely on them to organise a referral. Off to the Gp with you!

Original poster
pinkchampagne · 05/02/2007 18:17

His teacher mentioned about him maybe using a keyboard in class sometimes. He is good on the computer.

OP posts:
Aloha · 05/02/2007 18:17

Well, there you are. I plan to provide a laptop for my ds if the school can't pay for it.

Original poster
pinkchampagne · 05/02/2007 18:19

I will go & see a GP, Aloha. I am getting myself into such a state of worry & if DS could get any extra help or even recognition of any condition he may have, it would be a help.

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Original poster
pinkchampagne · 05/02/2007 18:20

How old is your DS, Aloha?

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LIZS · 05/02/2007 18:23

Definitely go via GP although there could be a long waiting list for the assessments , depending on your area (16 months and counting ...)

Original poster
pinkchampagne · 05/02/2007 18:26

Sounds like your DS is getting lots of extra support, which is great.
For the first few years I fought against DS being labelled. I think I just didn't want to admit my little boy had anything wrong, even though I suspected deep down that he did.
Now I can see that there is a definite problem & the school know there is a problem, but other than put him down as school action plus, not much has been done.
I will phone up for a GP appt.

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Original poster
pinkchampagne · 05/02/2007 18:27

16 months??!!! That's a very long time to wait, LIZS!

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Aloha · 05/02/2007 18:30

My ds is five and in reception. I actually shudder to think what a miserable time he would be having without extra support and understanding. His dx is very important.

LIZS · 05/02/2007 18:35

oh yes - he'll be seen by an OT around easter if things run smoothly having been referred by Paediatrician in September 2005.

Original poster
pinkchampagne · 05/02/2007 18:38

You got the referral in nice & early then, which is really good.
I really dread parents evenings & reports atm. It always seems so grey & depressing.
This may sound a silly question, but do I need to take DS along with me to the GP in order for him to get a referral?

OP posts:
Original poster
pinkchampagne · 05/02/2007 18:39

Oh dear, Lizs, that doesn't sound good.
How old is your DS?

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LIZS · 05/02/2007 19:23

He'll be 9 soon . He did have OT privately while we lived abroad but nothing since we've been back in UK.

Aloha · 05/02/2007 19:29

No, you don't need to take him with you. The GP is not qualified to assess him. I would make a written list of the reasons why you want the referral - ie areas where he is behind developmentally, his difficulties, his problems at school etc. Take the list with you and use it!

Original poster
pinkchampagne · 05/02/2007 19:31

Okay, thanks Aloha, I will get that sorted.

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Fubsy · 05/02/2007 20:30

Pinkchampagne, noone in school, not even the senco, is qualified to diagnose your son, and even if they have an IEP etc, if you are worried, you should ask GP for a referral. Its the only way to get help from outside agencies, as most paeds, therapists etc will only take a medical referral.