CP, Splints and PE at school

[StaceyJane]

Hiya

My DS is 4.3. He has mild cp mainly affecting his legs requiring him to wear AFOs on both legs with fine tuning wedges in his shoes. He is due to start school for the first time in September and I was just wondering what he does about PE?

I tried to get some answers at his last physio appt but he has just got a new physio and it was her first time seeing him so I didn't get a clear answer from her at all!

Basically I was just wondering, does he still wear the AFOs during PE? And if he does would he just use his normal shoes or would he still have to wear plimsolls (can you even get plimsolls to fit AFOs?)?

Also, should something have been put in place for him before he starts school to help him with this? He doesn't have a statement as his cp is so mild so presumably that means there's no extra money/specific support for him, but his physio did say that she would write a report saying what help he would need (basically I think it would just be so they know how to take off/put on the splints and he also has exercises that he does at nursery so presumably should do at school?). I did mention it to the school during induction and have provided his most recent physio and paed report but they just said that they had an older child that had splints so knew what to do but there's not been any meeting or anything to properly discuss this.

Sorry for all the questions it's just I've realised that it's actually not that long before school starts and I really don't have a clue! I'm gonna try and speak to his physio again before he starts but just wanted to see what others do.

Thanks

I think you should make an appointment with the Teacher and the SENCO straight away when your Ds starts school.

You will need to tell them what your Ds needs and what you want them to do.

If you dont go in the chances are your Ds's needs will not be met.

Sorry if this sounds negative but really if a child with CP is starting in a setting a transition meeting should have been held to make sure they know what they are doing.

Good luck

just because they have had a child with splints before does not mean that your ds will need the same things! I'd try to speak to the physio again before he starts to ask exactly what will be best for him. Dd3 doesn't have afos but does wear piedros with insoles, her physio went into school to advise them, would yours consider doing the same?

Hiya,I have a dd with cp who wears Afos and can not walk without wearing them, but even if she could I would not be letting her do any activity on her feet without wearing them. All you need to do is get a meeting with the new physio and agree that decision- so that you are both 'singing from the same hymn sheet' and so school do not get conflicting advice. Then inform school that as your child has cp and wears Afos he will be doing pe wearing footwear suitable for his Afos ( and secondly suitable for the environment they are needed for-as some places require non marking soles)
My main worry is that the care needs of a child with cp wearing Afos has not even been considered, can your child put them on? put shoes on? check that they are not rubbing and no blisters are forming? Can he put the wedges in the correct shoes and swop them to trainers?
Without a statement of SEN then your child will not be guaranteed any additional support whilst at school, your child will just be one child in a large group of (most possibly 30 children) and will be expected to do all tasks at the same speed as all the others.
Sorry to sound so harsh but have been there and seen what happens to children that are not fully supported ( and also know from a schools point of view from being in a classroom)
Go to the IPSea website and see the draft letters how to apply for a statement now and then arrange a meeting with school ASAP to ensure that they are fully aware and have a care plan in place
Good luck x

Hi everyone, thanks for the replies. I think really you've advised what I kind of already knew.

DS is definitely not able to put his AFOs with shoes on by himself and his physio and the orthotist both said that they would not expect him to do so, hence I think the physio saying she would write a little report explaining he would need the help.

Whilst at nursery the physio just went in and showed them how to put his AFOs on for him which the nursery staff have been more than happy to do. They also do exercises with him and the SENCO takes him out on his own to practice going up and down stairs.

I think I just figured that with him having cp and involvement with a physio and paed that if he needed a statement they would have started the process already. His cp really is quite mild as he is able to walk with or without his AFOs, they are mainly to correct his gait and support his ankles. Would they even do a statement just for him to get help essentially for getting changed at PE times?

I think because DS just gets on with things and with his cp not affecting him that badly I just didn't really think of the implications for when he went to school and it was different people looking after him. He has been at nursery since 9 months so he's grown up with them and they know him and his abilities inside and out.

My dd also has very mild CP and started reception a year ago. I met with the SENCO and headteacher before she started which was helpful but it was definitely a case of 'wait and see' rather than start on a statement or IEP.

It's great that he's had good support at nursery and is doing so well. He wouldn't get a statement just for PE (we were categorically told that as this is the main area where dd has difficulty) but he could have an IEP for his physical needs which would include any support with seating/equipment, helper for PE and anything else needed for academic work e.g. computer etc.

It's also worth going into school to discuss things like stairs, support for getting around the school at busy times and lunchtime/playground etc. These are all things they had to consider with my dd (and perhaps caught them out a little as nobody else at her school has physical difficulties!).

hi, ds2 has mild spastic dip, cp & wears splints on both legs. He does outdoor PE in his normal school shoes with his splints on.
They know he needs to rest more often & isnt quite so physically able. They allow him to do it at his pace but encourage him to have a go at everything.

As for indoor PE in the hall, it depends what it is really, if he & his teacher feel he would be better off without his splints (climbing aparatus etc) then he does it barefoot the same as everyone else but the teacher is behind him.

He is 10 now & more worried about looking the same as everyone else than whats best for his ankles/legs. For a couple of hour a week i let him do what he feels comfortable with.
My ds is statemented as he also has autism & learning difficulties so i have the opportunity for regular chats with his TA & teacher.
Dont be afraid to go in and have the conversation it may be that they are already wondering but just ahven't asked.

IME the school really want do whats best & you are the expert so let them knwo whats needed.