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SN children

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Original poster

My daughter is starting Ballet lessoms next week, should I let the teacher know she has SEN's?

47 replies

mummyloveslucy · 14/05/2011 20:42

Hi, my 6 year old daughter has a developmental delay of 2-3 years. She has poor speech and language skills, retained refexes that make balance and co-ordination difficult for her and she finds it hard to understand and process what is being said to her.
You would never be able to tell by looking at her, she has an almost hoity look about her. People have often commented that she "looks so intellegent" and I know what they mean, this must sound strange, you'd have to meet her.
I'd hate for the teacher to think she was putting it on and being awkward. That would really start things off on the wrong foot.
I have already phoned to ask what day it's on but didn't mention that she has SEN's. Do you think I should phone before she goes and let her know, or do you think it's irrelevant? The only problems she may have are understanding what she's saying, or my DD not understanding what she has to do, or being unable to do it.
I'm hoping it'll help with her co-ordination and ballance and hopefully she'll have fun and make some friends.

OP posts:

Goblinchild · 14/05/2011 20:51

I would, so that the teacher could support her appropriately. I'm a bit puzzled as to why you wouldn't, but everyone handles situations their own way.

EllenJaneisnotmyname · 14/05/2011 20:56

I'd just mention it casually, on the day. "Oh, by the way, DD has SEN, nothing serious, just a bit delayed." Then at least they will understand that there's a reason if she finds instructions tricky.

It's hard to tell new people, but if you keep it really matter of fact and casual, they won't freak! They will have come across disability before. HTH

Chundle · 14/05/2011 20:56

hi, my dd has adhd and i let her football coach know before she started and they were very supportive

Original poster

mummyloveslucy · 14/05/2011 20:58

I will then. I suppose I do feel a bit awkward mentioning it for some reason, I don't know why.

OP posts:

Goblinchild · 14/05/2011 20:59

TBH, if the teacher isn't prepared to be positive and helpful, it's not the right place for your daughter.

pineappleupsidedownpudding · 14/05/2011 21:00

Yes do, my dd2 who is nearly 4 is V I and also very poor mobility and co-ordination.She started ballet 6 months ago her big sister goes and she has been desperate to join in for ages.
I let the ballet teacher know first, and it means they are aware she is a bit 'different' needs to stand at the front and that some things she wont be able to do straight away,due to mobility issues. I almost treat it like her education, for dd2 to get the most from her lessons, everyone needs to help and support her.

Original poster

mummyloveslucy · 14/05/2011 21:03

I did mention it to her tennis teacher before she started that and I remember him looking at her for the first time and I could tell he was thinking "She dosn't look like she has SEN's". Maybe it's just me.

OP posts:

Eveiebaby · 14/05/2011 21:06

Probably best to mention it before they do as I'm sure the teacher will realize something is amiss if your DD is unable to understand the instructions or physically follow the class. You don't have to go into great detail thought like EllenJane said just mention in casually on the day. I know how you feel I would probably be the same with DD although she is not ready for classes at the moment it is something I am hoping she can do in the future.

MrsShrekTheThird · 14/05/2011 21:09

yes, do mention it, privately. I'm on the opposite side of a similar situation - I'm the dance teacher... and posted a thread here last week to say "do I mention something to the mum or not". We can make suitable adjustments to the way we explain things to make it easier for the child to understand. If the teacher is teacher trained as oopposed to a dancer who teaches, then this is part of our training.

beautifulgirls · 14/05/2011 21:13

Hi mml - yes do mention it. Had same with my DD a few weeks back starting a dance class but then bowled in with "DD has some problems following instructions" shortly followed by "oops, I don't mean in a bad and naughty behaviour way, just meaning can't always follow what has been said"! Anyway, I have to say I am amazed how well DD is doing with it all. I think it suits her well because she can copy and there is pattern/repetition to the dance and she is just loving it. (obsessed probably to be fair but that is just her)

Original poster

mummyloveslucy · 14/05/2011 21:14

Thats good then. I will mention it. I know the teacher was a profecional ballarina, but I'm not sure if she's teacher trained. Either way, I think it'll help her understand why she might not understand certain instructions.

OP posts:

Goblinchild · 14/05/2011 21:14

'I did mention it to her tennis teacher before she started that and I remember him looking at her for the first time and I could tell he was thinking "She dosn't look like she has SEN's". Maybe it's just me.'

Don't feel embarrassed, or that people will think less of her. If her needs are not fairly obvious, then it's even more important that you have a word.

Original poster

mummyloveslucy · 14/05/2011 21:31

That's true, I will mention it. The tennis teacher realised within the first few minutes that I was telling the truth. She didn't go to many lessons, she found it much too difficult and frustrating.

OP posts:

Chundle · 14/05/2011 21:42

When I told dds footy coach I was really surprised when he laughed and said that's ok I have ADHD as well! then all the pieces started fitting together I.e. Why he wanders off halfway through a conversation etc! I'm so glad I told him though and he's so good with her theyare like two peas in a pod

mumslife · 14/05/2011 21:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsShrekTheThird · 14/05/2011 21:56

As I said, without wishing to sound stuck up (or something) if you are dealing with dancers who 'teach' then you can't expect them to know about sen and differentiation.
RAD is the 'pink' one, no acknowledgement of SEN or adaptations that I am aware of. Yes the 'teacher' will blame the exam board. ISTD are slightly less picky but none of them particularly SEN friendly as they are staffed by ex professional ballerinas who know very little about additional needs.

sorry if that sounds ranty but it's something I'm trying to change in my area but my goodness it's a long struggle.

mumslife · 14/05/2011 22:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsShrekTheThird · 14/05/2011 22:41

in my dance school I have a deaf child (who is incidentally the most gifted dancer in my school) lots with developmental delay, DS, ASD. I'm so sad that the elitist nature of dance schools in some parts doesn't reflect the needs of children who just want to dance I honestly think the qualification structure should be changed, but I would say that as I'm a primary SEN teacher (albeit one with a dance degree and board quals from being about 8yrs old) They simply don't know enough imho.

Original poster

mummyloveslucy · 15/05/2011 09:25

I have a feeling it's RAD, from what I remember from the website. The good thing is, you can stay to watch. There is a big cafe that looks onto the dance class room, so at least I'd be able to see if there's a problem. It'll also be good for me to see what she's doing so we can practice at home if she wants too.

OP posts:

Lougle · 15/05/2011 12:34

Hi MLL, is your DD in a state primary now? How is she getting on?

I think that it would do your DD a HUGE disservice to say ""Oh, by the way, DD has SEN, nothing serious, just a bit delayed."

2-3 years delay at the age of 6 is NOT just a bit delayed. I think you know that. It is almost half of her chronological age delayed.

I think you need to continue pushing for the help your DD needs, and part of this is telling the ballet teacher that your DD will need some adjustments for her to succeed.

LIZS · 15/05/2011 13:01

I would. Tell her dd has some as yet undiagnosed difficulties which can affect her speech, understanding and coordiination but that she has already done some dance and loves music. It should't make any difference as hopefully the teacher has some experience of SEN/SN and is inclusive. Hope she enjoys herself.

pigletmania · 15/05/2011 14:46

Oh yes I would, most definitely, the teacher needs to know so that she can adapt routines for her, and have some understanding. If you don't its going to be difficult for your dd in the long run.

DeWe · 15/05/2011 15:43

The missing arm problem is with RAD. It's not that they wouldn't let the child do the exam, just that they refused to mark the movement from that arm at all. They now (from about 2 years ago) decided that if the child wears a prosthesis they will assume it is doing as well as the other arm and mark accordingly.
I believe it's one of the thing her charity and her limb centre had been making noises about round the RAD for years.
Not sure how they get away with even this, but dd2 wears a prothesis for ballet and got a merit in her last exam. Makes it a bit harder for her though.
I tend to tell any new place about dd2's arm in advance even if it's not going to effect what she's doing because I feel it gives them advance warning so they're ready for problems. Nothing like introducing a song starting "I have got two hands..." and a little voice from the front saying "I haven't" to make an awkward silence.
(Actually she is proud to tell people she has more hands than anyone else... 3 because she has at present a functional prosthesis for doing things and a cosmetic one for ballet)

wendihouse22 · 15/05/2011 18:33

I would if I were you. She may not be the only one!

vjg13 · 15/05/2011 18:46

I would have a chat with the teacher before the first lesson and see what kind of attititude she has and so that she knows to encourage your daughter to join in etc.

You may find that the class is from age 3 to about 5/6 and so could be pitched just right. My younger daughter (no additional needs) did ballet from 3 and it was very low key, all good toes , naughty toes and Angelina ballerina music. I hope she enjoys it and seeing little girls in the outfit is enough to melt your heart too.

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