Does my daughter have special educational needs?

[mike1May]

We received a letter from the nursery today (our daughter is 4) stating that our daughter has special needs because she 'doesn't listen in at storytime like the other children, has an unwillingness to share, and is unwilling to take her turn at play'.

This seems ridiculous to me. Yes, our daughter has mitochondrial disease, but has been assessed as having the IQ of a 5 year old. The mitochondrial disease means she can be unsteady on her feet.

I don't know what to do? Does having special needs 'tar' a child throughout school (no offence intended)? Is it beneficial to support such a recommendation or fight it?

Thanks for any advice.

Mike and Louise.

I think the pre school have been a little insensitive sending out a letter and I hope it all becomes a little clearer when you have your meeting.

I agree with the others don't fight against what they are saying but you donb't have to agree with it either.

Rather than see it as a label of SN perhaps just acknowledge it as areas that need some attention. You could say that you do not feel it necessary to explore a possibility of SN yet but you agree to put in place some strategies to help with those three areas.

Since my son was diagnosed with ASD I have found it fairly unhelpful in some ways and prefer to focus on specific areas that he needs help rather than dwelling on the diagnosis.

They will genuinely have your daughters best interests at heart and that is importasnt to remember.