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Original poster

SEN DD won't be able to be tested, what do I do in this situation?

16 replies

Beebityboo · 31/12/2020 10:54

I'm debating whether to send my DC's in to school at all next week (disabled parent) but I acknowledge that if I do, they will possibly get Covid this term (in a tier 4 area, schools here are riddled). My youngest DD has SEN and hospital trauma. She will, under no circumstances, let me test her. I will not subject her to a forced test. What will I do in this circumstance? Will the school try to force me/put pressure on me to subject her to a test? Luckily we haven't had to test her yet as she's (miraculously) not even had a sniffle since September.
I'm just in a mess about the whole thing tbh Sad.

OP posts:
lljkk · 31/12/2020 10:59

Consent must be obtained (oh goody, more bureaucracy, schools just aren't busy enough). Our local secondary school is advertising for a 30 hrs/week testing administrator -- now I know why.

I doubt they will bar her from attendance if you/she don't give consent.

Original poster
Beebityboo · 31/12/2020 11:16

Sorry I meant my youngest DD in primary.

OP posts:
FedUpAtHomeTroels · 31/12/2020 11:18

I tested 30 dementia patients two week in a row. Some violent others not. Most people tend to follow a nurses instructions when in uniform, kids too.
If you make a huge deal of it, and talk to her about how awful/bad/painful/trumatic test is, and passing on your anxiety about her, she will not let anyone do it.
Better to let her go in and see if she co operates.

Lifeispassingby · 31/12/2020 11:18

DSS has learning difficulties and lives in a care home. He needed a covid test and wouldn’t comply. The whole unit (he is in self contained with 2 full time Carers) isolated for the 10days period. You cannot force DD to have a test, you just need to be prepared to isolate if need be x

Original poster
Beebityboo · 31/12/2020 11:32

As I said Fedup, she has trauma from being hospitalised and is phobic of anything medical as a result. This has nothing to do with my anxiety, thanks for the advice though.

OP posts:
Original poster
Beebityboo · 31/12/2020 11:34

She's in primary so won't be tested by school but by me, and I refuse to pin her down and do the test, not after what she's been through in the last couple of years Sad

OP posts:
OnceBitten25 · 31/12/2020 11:35

I have a friend whose child has SEN - when they had suspected Covid the test centre advised her that if she couldn't tolerate the test but had symptoms she was to isolate per the guidelines. Any other household contacts could then be tested if they developed symptoms.

DownWhichOfLate · 31/12/2020 11:36

Just don’t send her in for the required isolation period. Treat it as if she has Covid if she has any symptoms.

Angel2702 · 31/12/2020 11:38

You don’t have to test, you can chose to isolate for the required time period instead.

Londoncatshed · 31/12/2020 11:39

You may just have to isolate her. I agree, that forcing a phobic child is impossible without causing serious harm to their wellbeing. You may be surprised that if she is in control and administers the test herself, it may be possible.

sleepyhead · 31/12/2020 11:40

If she develops symptoms assume she has it and isolate accordingly.

LittleSwede · 31/12/2020 11:42

It's a tricky one. Similar issue with 6 yo DD (she has ASD) following a bad experience when having her tonsils examined. She now refuses anyone to look in her throat using those wooden sticks and there is no way she would cope with a swab. She's currently not attending achool anyway due to school based anxiety but if she develops symptoms DH and I would presumably have to isolate for 10 days as we couldn't test her.

Original poster
Beebityboo · 31/12/2020 11:47

Thanks all. My concern is that the school won't be happy with more than one period of isolation and will end up putting pressure on me to test her. They've been pretty unsupportive when it comes to her health in the past and our relationship is quite strained as it is.

OP posts:
EachDubh · 31/12/2020 11:57

If needed just explain to the school, lots of kids won't be tested, my dd2 (5) will maybe allow onece but never again. Isolation is a perfectly sensible alternative and the school would be out of order not agreeing.

sleepyhead · 31/12/2020 11:58

But if she has symptoms she MUST isolate. The rules are clear. A positive or negative test has no impact on that.

You dont get to return to school just because you have a negative test.

Testing positive only affects the status of those you've been in contact with, so you as a family would also have to isolate which you wouldnt have to do if she tested neg.

There may be more of an issue if you have other children or work.

Underhisi · 31/12/2020 12:09

If a child refuses the test can't be done. The gov guidelines says if a child resists to self isolate instead.

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