Daughter having problems at secondary school

[madmax1961]

I did not know where to post this so hope this is ok. My daughter is 11 and just started secondary school in september. She has a variety of problems(hearing impairment/heart condition/lax ligiments/low mussle tone/short stature and learning disability)

Since starting early september she has been getting more and more tired and lethargic with each week. I have started putting her to bed 1 and a half hours earilier than normal and she has been waking up later than normal but she is still tired. We have now cut out all after school activities as she was too tired to do them but even the week-ends now she does not pick up and she looks pale and ill. She never used to be ill enough to miss school before but it seems to be one thing after another since september. I am going to take her to the doctor in the next holiday if this carries on but i was wondering if anyone else is having the same problem. I wonder if it is related to her heart condition and short stature as they have do loads of walking from classroom to classroom carrying a heavy backpack. Anyway any thoughts would be great.

Aww Madmax,I dunno,but I would see your GP.I have no useful advice but your post struck a chord as my little dd,2 has developmental delay,she has hypotonia,speech and hearing delay. and will need lifelong care and my heart goes out to your dd.Have you tried posting in special needs also?Does she have any statement and 1-1 support?You could also try posting in the Special Educational Needs topicxx

Hugs.Fango xx

Starting Yr 7 is tiring both physically and mentally enough for dc's in the best of health, let alone a child with your dd's problems. My DS last year was so tired by this stage , I remember letting him have a lie in one morning and sending him in late.
A friend whose dd has just started yr 7 was thinking about cancelling saturday morning swimming lessons because her dd couldn't get up for them anymore.
If it's any consolation it is only a 2 weeks to half term and your dd can have a rest and recharge her batteries.
Is there anyway she can store some of her books or pe kit in a locker when she gets to school so she doesn't have to carry them around all day.
Take her to the doctors anyway to make sure she is alright.

Hi madmax sorry to hear your dd is struggling at the moment, my ds started secondary last year, and he was absolutley knackered, couldnt get up, didnt want to walk to the bus stop, complaining he was exhausted. The teachers at school had warned us at the school meeting to expect this, and he truly was exhausted, wasnt until after christmas that it started to even out.

It is such a culture shock for them, stress, early mornings, luggiing their bags around, and with my ds their was increased activity in sports. I cant comment on your dd, but it could be down to the new school year on top of her problems, more than the medical conditions themselves. Hope she is feeling better soon.

How about a little case on wheels or a rucksack on wheels? That would at least help with the weight thingie

Thanks for the quick replies. She has got a locker but as it is near her tutor and not any classes she carries her books(the back-pack is nearly as big as her as she is 3 stone and 126cms tall) because she would have to walk even more to keep going back to get her books. She hardly eats(another problem she has) so that probably does not help. I can't believe the change in her staminia since september it is quite scarey. At least i know others are the same. Thanks

The only other thing I can add is that DS has just started primary school.He is NT (neurologically typical) and has found it KNACKERING.Its all so new for them!So I guess its taking new stuff on board also.

Best wishes.Fango.

Dd has hypotonia/hypermobility syndrome and is also in her first term at secondary. She does school and homework and then that's pretty well it. Far too knackered to do anything else and is beginning to sleep badly due to overtiredness. She's already had a coupe of days off due to bad migraines/back ache.

Does your dd use a lift or is she constantly climbing stairs at school? Could she get allocated a helper for her books? Or maybe one of those little airline hostesses' bags so she doesn't have to carry? Have you spoken to the SENCO about providing support at school?

I am going to have to have a chat with the senco at the school as she is starting to miss days due to being ill which i think is down to being over tired. It is difficult as i don't want to sound like a over-protective mother and she has managed well up to now but things are going down-hill rapidly and i don't want her to end up in hospital.

I would talk to the Senco, but also take her to the doctor at the earliest opportunity and also tbh keep her off school on any day when she is really looking unwell. As you say, you don't want her to end up in hospital. Pacing much better than a vicious circle of overextertion-collapse-overexertion IME. And that's without the heart trouble.

Does she get help in school, madmax?

I used to supply in a comp school that attracted lots of less abled children. They seemed to have a few who were easily tired by teh school routine, so would have a helper who escorted them from class to class, and/or had a scooter.

I would strongly suggest a meeting with the SENCO and also get your GP involved. She will not be at her peak for learning if she is tired and stressed, and if it is simply a case of dealing with lesson transitions, the solution is easy.

Thanks everyone. She says that they are up and down stairs alot and the campus is pretty big. Her bag is really heavy i struggle just to get it on her back. She gets loads of help at school as she has a learning disability and also there is a teacher for the deaf that goes in regularly to check up that she is getting the support she needs on that side.

Are there any lifts? Dd has special permission to use the lift.Also, will ask for help if she needs it to lift books.