Occupational therapist and social worker coming to assess house for equipment tomorrow - eek!

[hazeyjane]

Just had a call, to say that a county occupational therapist ( as opposed to our usual one) and a social worker, are coming to assess our house for equipment for ds. It has been agreed that he will have a smurthwaite chair for use in preschool, and our OT felt he needs one at home, something for eating ( he sits on my lap ATM) and possibly a bath seat, although at the moment I struggle to get him anywhere near the bath.

The mention of a sw panicked me, but she said they are there as a formality and to note what equipment is needed. Is this right? I am worried they are going to be looking at safety issues. I am also worried because, although ds has a bed ( with dream tube guards ) he spends nearly every night in our bed, between me and a bed guard, with a wedge, to help him be more upright. It's all a bit cobbled together, and I am worried they are going to be judging our sleeping arrangements.

On the other hand, I am relieved that this is finally happening, as we have been waiting for equipment since he was 1 years old, and not able to sit up, but our rubbish OT said that he wouldn't meet the criteria for assessment.

Whenever our OT has organised equipment or modification at our home, she has come out with whoever was appropriate from local council to handle the job. It's never been a SW, but perhaps that is just how it is handled in your area.

If they say it's just a formality, then I wouldn't worry about it. If they are actually having concerns, I believe they are supposed to tell you this straight out. SWs used to make me a bit edgy, but the new wife of a family friend is a SW and I've gotten to know her fairly well - makes me much less nervous that they're out to get people.

we just had the community ot visit on her own a couple of times but I know she's based within the children with disabilities sw team. It was fine, honestly. You might want to mention sleeping to see if they can offer anything that might help, or anything else you're having problems with, you never know if you don't ask

We've not had a SW, but I think it does depend on area.

We've not had a SW, but I think it does depend on area.

Sorry - clicked on the post button twice... It's one of THOSE days!

Thankyou everyone.

I worry about the sleeping thing, because we have a pretty cobbled together arrangement, which pretty much ends up with ds co sleeping with us every night. When i mentioned this to the learning disability nurse, she threw her hands up in horror, and started talking about the 'inevitable' problems that would arise from this, and how it was obviously contributing to ds's separation anxiety.....I vowed never to mention co sleeping to a professional again!

Yes, Galena, one of THOSE days here as well!!

DH has been off work all day but working from home at the dining table (which is the other end of the living room). So, having left DD at playgroup, which doesn't often happen, I've had to put up with him there so haven't felt totally able to relax. He also frowns every time DD makes too much noise at this end of the room so kept feeling like I should be shushing her. And now he tells me he's not going out to band later, which means I don't get my evening on my own. Grrr!

We've had a few appointments like that. Always terrified me and I ended up running around like a mad thing with the hoover, bin bag and cleaning stuff. DS1 would then try and make as much mess as possible. The SW will be from the same team as the community OT. I have a list of things not to mention to professionals

Galena - I think DH thinks I'm nuts - I'm forever pestering him about "why don't you organise an evening out with mates for a drink... somewhere else? "

Yep, sounds familiar Triggles. DH now goes out on 2 nights a week, once to a choir and once to a band. He hasn't been to either this week though because he's 'ill'.

Ho hum.

I found the SS OT very useful tbh and not at all judgemental if that helps?

It does help, Owllady. I think you meet one (or two!) professionals who say ridiculous things or create situations that take an age to unravel, and it makes you wary of all the others.

I would imagine it is an integrated approach - so they can both see what support you need in one go. It sounds good to me - i really don't think you should worry.

Well that went really well!

They were here for 2 hours, and have said they will provide a seat for feeding, a small chair for playing, a bath seat, a rail on the stairs and in the garden, and are going to investigate beds, to see if something can be sorted wrt ds an sleep. They were really helpful, and the sw wanted to talk about respite, and what was available, and just to let us know they were there.

The community OT, has said they want to keep ds on so that they can provide things as and when, and liase with school and ds's OT.

You know how things seem normal, until you see it through someone else's eyes!

that's sounds a great visit, wine tonight

Wow! Great visit! Here you can only have one chair - and it has to do all jobs! We have outdoor rails and at the top/bottom of stairs, they are great! No respite here either...

We've been discharged from OT but can phone them when we want something!

Glad they are sorting things though!

Our OT arranged extra locks put on all our windows, kitchen door replaced with a stable door (the 1/2 and 1/2 kind) with a lock on it, new sliding glass door with better lock, and new fencing for our rear garden, plus some other minor things.

We're still in email contact with our OT, though technically have been discharged. Any concerns, she is right there. Absolutely love her!!I suspect we will be getting back in touch with her soon as he is getting older and we're running into some obstacles again.

Hazey I am so pleased for you.