People's perception of a child with special educational needs

[madaboutchocolate]

I've just taken my 9 year old son to have his eyes tested. I'm sure you would agree it's not always easy for an adult let alone a child to sit really still, open your eyes wide and have to recall letters out with lights shining into your eyes!

When my son had difficulties in reading some text he was given, the optician was fairly rude and commented that he is very behind with reading for a boy his age!!

I explained the fact we are at present going through the very slow process of a statment of educational needs.

I could tell my son felt very embarrassed and the optician didn't seem to be interested.

I came out feeling very angry and upset for my son who was made to feel stupid!!!
Talk about lowering self esteem!!

I would be furious. My DS, also 9 has a statement and wears glasses. I would be incandescent with rage if any professional said such a thing. I would definitely go else where and let him know why, although from the sound of it . he wouldnt worry about it

Thankyou. I totally agree. My son is happy, funny and loving not just a child with special needs. We will definately not be going back!

That's awful my dd also has SEN and wears glasses although reading isn't a problem for her the optician only asks that she can find a word to read on the sheet she gives her.
There are plenty of opticians about so show your displeasure by going elsewhere.

Just also received my sons Educational Psychology Report, lots to take in, try to understand and worry about! Not sure what happens next or what to do! Visit to the opticians has just increased our tension at the moment!!

I remember it as if it was yesterday. Its just so difficult to see his difficulties down in writing isnt it and then if you are like me there are lots of things that you wont agree with also.

When we had ours we met with the EP a few days after his assessment and she went through the main findings, so that, by in large the actual report didnt contain anything that she hadnt already informed us of She shoud be advising of nest steps, ie is she going to reccommend that he receive a statement and is going to push this forward. She should be excplaining the timescales incolved and the steps that the school need to take. Various people such as the school, paed and us had to submit our thoughts and findings and then a decision was taken by a panel.

That's disgraceful. How is the optician qualified to assess his reading age anyway?

I would have liked to have replied with:

"And you seemed to be remarkably behind on basic manners and understanding for a person of your age" but I probably would just have sat there fuming as well.

Totally agree that the optician was out of order and rude. However, these people do sadly exist so to avert this type of situation happening to my DS I phone ahead and mention his special needs. I know we shouldn't have to do this, but at the end of the day I don't want my DS to be unnecessarily upset.

I had a very similar thing when my very dyslexic DS was about 8 and the optician was horrified that he didn't know his address and date of birth off by heart.
I was so cross he made my poor DS feel so stupid.... never been back since.

Complain complain complain very unprofessional not to mention rude.

I'm on your behalf