Mysterious hip condition in 8-year-old

[SE13Mummy]

I'm posting this time as the soon-to-be teacher of an 8-year-old who has 'something wrong with her hip'. As a school we've not been told the actual diagnosis as the parents didn't think we'd want to know but it's something to do with one of the child's hips dislocating. As a result the child can't sit on the carpet/floor for carpet time, assembly etc. as it's very painful. Hopefully we'll be given something better to go on in September but I'm trying to work out what the child might be most comfy on whislt others are on the carpet. This year a regular classroom chair has been used but whilst this seems to work on a physical level it has resulted in the child being excluded socially because the chair sets them apart.

I was wondering about something more bench-like (but padded/cushioned) so another child could sit on it too but don't know anything about dislocated hips - do the knees need to be below the hips when they sit?

Any ideas from people who know about these things would be much appreciated - I'd like to have something ready for September so the year can start positively and comfortably for this child.

I think you need to speak to the parents and get them to ask their GP/consultant. You could be making it worse if you get the wrong thing.

Might be Joint Hypermobility Syndrome. In which case a chair probably is the best option. He will also need his back supported so he doesn't slump, so bench is not ideal unless it is against a wall. Maybe let a friend or two sit with him.

Personally I think the parents are making a mistake in not communicating with the school. Both my dcs have JHMS, and dd very much benefitted from an occupational therapist liaising with the school to make sure the school day was arranged so as not to put too much strain on her joints.

I'd love the opportunity to speak to the parents but that's not going to happen until September and I don't hold out much hope for anything especially helpful as the parents seem keen to keep medical things and educational things separate! I guess she'll just have to sit on a chair as she has done this year but maybe I'll have a whole row of children on chairs so she's not alone - she's struggling with friendships and I can't help thinking that sitting alone probably isn't helping.

Dcs have always had this, friends being allowed to sit with them and it does make a big difference: a whole row sounds even better.

Are there any other problems- such as difficulties writing/with motor skills- that could be related to dodgy joints?

Does she sometimes get ankle or knee pain and find it difficult to join in games?

Surely once the medical things start to impact on the educational things, the parents have a responsibility to inform the school of the details? Otherwise, anyone could claim that their child had a need to sit on a comfy chair instead of an uncomfy carpet. Why can't you say 'we need a letter from the GP' or 'we need sufficient detail that our school nurse can investigate the appropriate seating'?

I've only had the vaguest of information so far which means all I know is that ground-level sitting is the thing that causes most pain, playtime and PE is usually fine although if she does a lot of running around she is prone to knee pain. Her fine motor skills seem fine (sorry!) and she is a talented artist. We'll be doing swimming once a week so that will limit the PE-related running around.

I may ask the Head if I can have some additional chairs so we don't have to spend the entire year lugging chairs to and from the carpet.

If it is hypermobility (going on the dislocating hip thing) then it won't necessarily affect all joints, so finger and wrist joints could be fine.

Just like to say think you are being very thouhtful and would like it if you were my dd s teacher

This sounds a bit like my dd(7), who will be going into year 3 in September. Dd has Marfan Syndrome, which causes joint hypermobility amongst other things. I always make sure that every teacher has an information booklet about Marfans for reference, just in case any complications arise. The parents of this pupil should be more willing to speak to the school about what is wrong, I think.

Physio advised dd not to sit cross-legged on the floor, as well as it being uncomfortable for her, her hypermobility means that her hips/knees may slip out of joint. The school are gradually sneaking in some time sitting on the floor "it's only for a few minutes, it doesn't look right when she sits on a chair above the rest of the class". Physio taught dd to side sit with her legs together, and even this idea has been rejected by the school. It is me that has to go and lift dd when she gets stuck, or a joint dislocates/subluxes, though

Thank you for being so thoughtful!

deepbreath - what does side sitting look like and is there a booklet on Marfan Syndrome that you'd recommend? I figure I may aswell find out about lots of things it might be so the year starts off well. I can't believe your DD's school has a problem with how sitting on a chair 'will look'! Presumably the teacher sits on a chair without it looking too weird?!? My concern is that this child's physical needs is exacerbating friendship problems and I'd like to set up the room so it benefits her physically but also socially. There are other children in the class who would be much more comfortable on a chair due to their size so it makes sense to make it the standard thing that a few people sit on chairs (obviously trying to make it fairish - medical need then height/something that can be adjusted later in the year if someone shoots up).