DS2 is in his final week at mainstream school. Happy and sad all at the same time!

[slightlycrumpled]

So, after the dreaded emergency annual review, the eternal wait for panel DS2's place has finally been made at a speech and language unit.

I am totally convinced that this is the very best thing for him, but I feel crap, truly crap. I have faught for this, made a gazillion phone calls (and that is only a tiny exaggeration !) and I hope prepared him as much as possible but I am so emotional about it.

He, however, is so excited about it. He loved it when we looked around and all of the teachers were able to sign to him in full sentances. He really enjoyed meeting the other children and seems very enthusiastic about the whole thing. Things at his current school have really deteriorated over the last twelve months for him and as I say I know this is the best thing for him.

Anyway, just wanted to offload!

Glad to hear that things will hopefully be looking up for your son.

It sounds like he will really enjoy his new school - well done on you for getting him there

(((((hugs))))) It's hard finally having it confirmed that MS isn't suitable. Even if you know in your head that SS will be much, much better, in your heart you still wish that they could go to MS like NT children. It's a bit like getting the DX, you know it hasn't changed them and it will be really helpful, but it's still painful. You know it's the right decision. Sounds like your DS is looking forward to it.

Well done you on getting the place he needs... and how fab that he is looking forward to it.

Special School doesn't mean lesser..just different. My DS2 has been in special school since he was 4 years old.. he is about to turn 14 and is now finally integrating into a Moderate LD unit in our partner mainstream school... unthinkable just a few years ago. Being in special school has allowed him to develop at HIS pace (non verbal at 4 very poor speech til he was about 8, asd, you name it...) and now he is learning to mix again, supported, with mainstream kids and is enjoying it.. AND is doing more academically than anyone would have ever thought...

Have a class of wine tho... I swear sometimes transitions are scarier for us than for the children:):)

As you say, it does sound the right move and it's great that he is looking forward to it. You are bound to feel mixed emotions at this time of change,but well done for getting the best result for your DS

Thanks all for the replies, was having a low moment last night. ellenjane you are quite right it is exactly like getting the diagnosis all over again.

He is going for a final visit today and is really looking forward to it. The thing is I can think of no reason (other than his friendships) to keep him in his current school and every reason to move him, so I am clear that it is the right thing to do for him, but I can't shake the sadness at the moment. It will go though, I know that.

Thanks again.

I agree its strange as i faught for my sons SS long and hard and when the panel finally agreed and the statement returns naming it (they had sent part 4 blank before) i was numb it was a month into him being at the school i drove home after dropping him off and it was weird it hit me i felt like it was best place for him but upset and cried as it felt like i was admitting defeat he couldnt make it in MS and i couldnt do anything to change that , odd when youve been fighting for it , so its not just me i kind of felt resigned to defeat IYSWIM but so far hes much happier there took a while to get used to it as so different from MS , you will feel better especially when he starts achieving the goals my DS could never meet in MS so felt so low about himself hes now telling me "im special arnt I mummy" instead of im weird and horrible arnt i mummy as he used to say bless him.

Hi SmileAndWave, I'm glad your DS has settled in to his school. I know it was a bit fraught for a while, so really pleased it's going well.

(Sorry for quick hijack, slightlycrumpled.)