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SN children

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Original poster

Anyone else have a child who doesn't know its Christmas

34 replies

jess1975 · 21/12/2013 22:24

Feeling vey sad. My DS is 3.5 and practically no understanding of language. He has no clue who santa is. I've no way of telling him he will be at home for two weeks instead of going to special school. He so loves the Christmas tree though and smiles while looking at the lights. Hoping he will enjoy some of his toys.

OP posts:

salondon · 22/12/2013 19:49

So glad for this thread. My 4y3m doesnt get celebrations and birthdays either. She has no concept of time so how can I expect her to understand a future date anyways.

Totally relate to you guys. It's sad however I am sure things can only get better.

LickingMyWounds · 22/12/2013 20:53

My little man is anticipating Xmas this year, so much so that this year he thinks it is Xmas day every morning! He's handling it well so far though and we are going to let him open one present on Xmas eve whenever have visitors. He was in the nativity for the first time ever this year and been singing Xmas songs. He is 6. Ages 4 and 5 were the worst, anxious and stressed. Before that he was oblivious really. I've found him quite easy to buy for this year too. I am sure there will be unexpected hitches but we just keep learning each year!

Original poster

jess1975 · 22/12/2013 21:26

Lovely to hear about all of your children and particularly the older ones who are now beginning to understand a little what it's all about! At this time of the year it can seem like your child is the only one who has no clue what's happening. Hoping everyone has a super day.

OP posts:

2old2beamum · 22/12/2013 22:05

Sorry have just picked up your post.

Have 5 With SN the youngest 2 DS 15 deafblind CP epilepsy and DD 8 has a chromosome abnormality, neither understand Christmas in our terms at all but certainly pick up on the manic vibes (ma tearing her hair out ) and I really hope they enjoy it (Little scumbags) But totally see where you are coming from

bialystockandbloom · 23/12/2013 17:50

When ds was 3/4 he had no idea at all. His first nativity at nursery was spent, like dudesmummy next to his aba tutor, looking bemused. Last year at 5yo he started getting it a bit more, but even then he had no idea about presents, and if anyone asked him what he wanted he always came out with "a teddy and a drum" (cue seriously confused faces!), I guessed because he'd seen some picture on an advent calendar or something. His letter to Father Christmas (written at school) was just all about what a nice man FC is, and what his address is

This year he is pretty excited and does get it, but even so had to be prompted with suggestions about what present he might like. But we have gone down the Dr Who route (obsessed) so at least I know he'll like them.

Christmas is yet another slap in the face reminder about how different our dc are, but it does get a bit easier op.

Great idea about saving the money for a January break, wish we'd done that!

mymatemax · 23/12/2013 19:51

ds2 is 11 & doesn't really get Christmas, he is excited but doesn't really know why.
I remember when he was about 4 he screamed when we put the tree up, we tried to settle & reassure him in the end we took it down, we gave ds1 a little tree in his bedroom. I remember feeling very sad that year.
Thankfully things have got better each yr & despite not really getting it in the same way ds1 does he still enjoys it.

lougle · 23/12/2013 19:54

It does change.

DD1 is 8 now and for the first year she's actually 'got' Christmas, as in been able to enjoy the lead up and look forward to the day.

Before now, she's gradually gone from not getting it at all, to getting the idea that something is going on, to getting the idea, but overwhelmed by it, etc.

jogalong · 28/12/2013 09:03

Ds 4yr had no clue last year. This year he seems to be a bit more clued in. He can recognise and say the word Santa. He didn't get the leaving out food or Santa comin down the chimney. He was delighted with his toys but kept repeating the name of the shop I bought them in as I accidents left the price tags on!! No fool my boy!!
Maybe next year he'll understand more. Likes to crash his helicopter into the Christmas tree!

signandsingcarols · 29/12/2013 19:02

its encouraging to see how others develop, I remember ds at 3-4 (non verbal, but signing) and compare him now (7), for the first time he has 'got' santa, and been interested excited, (i do think he is just starting to believe about the point his peers are starting to question... , but thats ok) I remember what the LD pyschologist said to us at diagnosis time, that it didn't mean ds would reach a certain point and then stop, more that he would develop, and carry on doing so, throughout his life, just in different ways and on a different time line.

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