Hi,
Mary (not her real name), the lady who assessed DS last week phoned today to invite us to view an SN nursery, tomorrow morning. Mary said normally the waiting list is months long but they hold back a couple of places for children with severe needs. According to Mary DS belongs in that category partly because he is being referred so late and they want help in place for him by September and the start of Reception. Mary is concerned he will not cope in school. They are also interested in DS because "he is unusual as he has severe communications problems yet high cognitive skills".
My concerns are:
-
I thought all children with ASD had high cognitive skills, I thought that was one of the traits of ASD (not convinced traits is the right word there).
-
Surely they have other children in greater need than DS, a week ago (admittedly only in my head) DS was NT and just in need of some SALT now his needs are severe enough for him to jump the queue? Last Wednesday we were waiting to see if DS might need a support worker one morning a week in his school nursery but it was doubtful his needs were severe enough to qualify.
-
I doubt they would offer a place if it was not needed. I guess I just need a virtual slap across the face and to get my head around the fact the DS I thought I had isn't the DS I have. (Oh gosh that sounds terrible - I love DS, I will love DS no matter what DX (if any) he ends up with its just things are moving faster than my brain is processing).
This is a good thing isn't it, the nursery visit?