Help - looks to support network for biting and nursery

[Mighowe]

Hello,

My DD is 2.5 years. She's is under senco supervision and they say she will likely get a diagnosis. The last two months she has episode of biting/scratching and extreme teritorialness/jealousy. Nursery are taking it seriously and I understand point of views of those children's parents of those affected. I don't know what else to try but I fear she will be excluded from nursery - and I live in am area in London where it's hard to get a place. I love the nursery and my DD is so sweet and fun. I am in need of some support or guidance for those that have gone through the same thing. Right now feel like a failure and fearful for my child.

You’re not a failure at all. You have a young child who is likely to be ND from what you’ve said and that can be a lot to cope with.

What strategies are the Nursery using now? Have they sought the advice from the Early Years Area SENCO?

Have they suggested applying for an ECHP? If not, I’d do this now as you’ll want one in place before she starts School.

Is DD curtly having any SaLT and has she had an OT assessment? Does she also see Portage?

And does she have anything to help with her biting specifically, like Chewellery?

And lastly, do come and join us in the SN section where you’ll find other MNers with similar experiences

I second @TinyMouseTheatre’s excellent post.

As well as all the good suggestions she made, has the nursery kept a detailed diary or ABC chart or STAR assessment to spot triggers? Has the nursery applied for early years inclusion funding?

It is worth the nursery considering the sensory environment and doing a walkthrough. Biting can be related to sensory difficulties. Does the nursery offer DD any sensory activities?

Some LAs have early years assessment places for those DC who are going through or need to go through the EHCNA process. Check if your LA does.

Are you receiving DLA for DD?

Hi Both,

Thank you for your kindness and your advice!

The nursery has a sensory room and she has a local plan made my the nursery senco. The nursery at the moment say they can't see any triggers but I am not sure they are using any monitoring strategies.

Her language is actually way ahead of age. Her emotions and impulsivity just take over. Although I am not sure what a portage is? Very early to this world - although ND myself so not surprised!

What is DLA as well?

DLA is disability living allowance. Call for the form. That way, if awarded, it will be backdated to the date you called if you return the form by the deadline given. On their website, Cerebra has a guide you can use to help you complete the form.

There will be a trigger or triggers. The nursery either isn’t seeing them or isn’t recognising them for what they are. If the nursery needs more support to help DD, they should be looking at outside agencies for advice. The Area SENCO, the specialist teaching service if your area still has one, requesting an EHCNA, etc.

Although I wouldn’t wait for them to request an EHCNA. I would do it yourself.

There is far more to SALT than the physical ability to speak. DD would benefit from SALT.

Portage is a service that support young children with additional needs. It isn’t available in all areas and in some areas it is called slightly different things, but it is worth looking at. In some areas, they don’t support if DC are already in nursery, though.

Thanks all that's really helpful. Really confirming to have people pulling you through to the otherside. I'm am worried about her being excluded from nursery - she loves it so much and I don't think she would understand and I have no idea how I'd fill the gap of childcare.

I will have a look at DSA and hopefully be able to complete. Maybe a stupid question, and I will ask local senco, but will we need a formal diagnosis for all of these forms?

You don’t need a diagnosis for DLA (note DSA is a different thing and not for Young DC). It is based on needs.

With one exception, the same also applies to all the other support mentioned on this thread. The only exception is that in some LAs the autism specialist teaching service requires a diagnosis. Although some of those LAs have early years specialist teaching services which don’t need a diagnosis.

THANK YOU