Advice re: hypermobility and school

[TinyTearsFirstLove]

I know there are many of you that have much bigger issues to deal with than me but I just need some advice (don't know if this is the right place).

Dd is hypermobile, does not have pain but is in yr 1 and still struggles with things like zips and particularly slowness. Before she started yr 1 I sent in an information leaflet and a covering letter highlighting things that affect dd (sensitive to pain, slow to walk and write, toilet, constipation, tiredness at times). As she walks, you can see how 'wobbly' her ankles and knees are. She struggles with the strength to flush some toilets and turn on some taps. Her db is a bit younger and has no such problems.

She is no longer under the pediatrician who said she only needs to come back if she complains of pain. She's also not had anything to do with the SENCO at school, the school haven't suggested it and I didn't see a need to request it.

Dd has told me that she keeps being told off for being too slow and I don't know I'd I'm being too pfb about this or whether to complain to the teacher. The member of staff today said she still needed to be quick even when dd said that she's slow because of her hypermobility (I told dd to mention it in case the TA was unaware).

I don't want to run up the school every five mins so would be grateful for advice on how best to support dd. Thanks.

Your child sounds like they could do with some input from OT perhaps with a writing slope, different pens or pencils, strategies to be given to school and staff & maybe some activities or intervention work that she could do too whilst there. This will involve the SENCO at school as your child has an educational need which is affecting her progress (I presume?)

I would begin with making an appointment to see the teacher to discuss the hypermobility so that she/he is fully aware of what it is & how it affects your daughter and then go from there with meeting with SENCO if necessary.

Thanks Lolly. Dd was never referred to OT so I assume it's a case of going back to gp? It wasn't really an issue when she was diagnosed a few years ago but now she's at school her inability to keep up with her peers is more apparent.

She's doing well in school apart from this. When I've assisted in the classroom (weekly for 2 terms) it she always seemed to be one of the last ones to complete work (drawing/writing). At home she writes alot but at school she's slower then her friends.

In some Local Authorities schools cab refer to the OT team - though that would depend on whether your child's school will refer as some will just say go to the GP. As your child isn't with the paediatrician anymore I would see if school would do it first as they can write their concerns about her difficulties as well as yours rather than just yours if done at GP. Good luck with it all

• Can not cab

My DS was dx with hypermobility by the comm paed, but it was the OT who made recommendations for the school to act on.

This included fine/gross motor activities to encourage development, balance & core stability activities, alternate recording of work including oral reports and word processing, touch typing to strengthen hands, as well as lots of sensory aids for his SPD. The school have taken it all on board and are more accommodating as a result.

I'd definitely ask the school for a referral. Word of caution though - it took 11 months from referral to appointment!

school SENCO should be able to help even without her seeing an OT. or even being officially diagnosed. We can't get DD a diagnosis of hypermobility even though everything bends the wrong way and she is in a lot of pain BECAUSE she has good muscle tone and good core stability/strength even though verbally they say it is obvious she is hypermobile. they won't diagnose it in her. School however are aware of it and have been very helpful.

sorry this is so late after the event but with luck you will see it.

dd is hypermobile and had an excellent OT called Julia Terteryan
[email protected]

Sensible price, excellent report.

We also know an excellent Physio who is able to get the muscles strengthened up a bit so that the joints are better supported.

And YES this is a special educational need calling for special provision ie STOP TELLING THE CHILD OFF FOR THINGS THAT ARE NOT HER FAULT,

and of course she should have more time to move from on place to another, and if writing is an issue then support for getting her ideas down for a story etc. If writing is effortful then that distracts from the ideas you want to write - it become thing, write, think, write,

My dd has trouble writing so learned to touch type. For kids who are still at letter formation stage then ipads can be used and it is much easier to trace a finger across a screen than grip a pencil.

Sitting still is often an issue as well

So for us it was a combination of therapy (physio and OT) to build strength, and adjustments like touch typing and if it had all cost more than the school's SEN budget we could have had a statement.