So it turns out that DD2 is not 'fine' according to the OT!

[lougle]

Potted history:
We suspect ASD
School agree off the record but deny on the record
SALT disagrees with us & says she's 'fine'.
In a meeting, SALT asks what OT thinks. I say 'haven't heard anything except that she's a fidget bum'. School SENCO says "that's just what DD2 said!" and the OT says she's fine.
I withdrew DD2 from school to HE.

Roll on to a new term, when I get a phone call from the OT to arrange 'feedback'. I'm clearly confused because 'she's fine'.

Long story short, the OT days that she was cleverly masking in class, that she's got quite significant proprioceptive difficulties, that her manual dexterity is on the 9 th centile and that she has a list of recommendations, including weighted lap pads, chewies, theraputty, therabands to strengthen her shoulders, move n sit cushion, making sure she's sitting in a chair with arms and a platform for her feet, etc.

She also suggested referral to an ASD specialist (private), rapproching ed psych team and contacting the SENCO of a local primary school to see if we could desensitise DD2 to the school environment.

I'm not quite sure if I should be hanging on to the HE (going well, DD2 enjoys it) or trying to get her back into a school with decent support.

Thanks, you're right. I'm starting to wonder if it's just me and if I'm actually making up the difficulties I see. But then it's not just me. It's DH, my Mum, my Dad, a friend who spent lots of time with us (HE), etc. Time will tell.

Such a great post, Polter

Honking and flapping like mad for you, Lougle

I've been off here a while. Some kind of SEN fatigue. Just had dd2 crying and distraught about me and her inept dad separating 18months ago. She is at step 1. Her understanding of the situation is still embryonic. I am just trying to move on and be happy (which I am) and his crapness just pervades everywhere.

So hard, emoticon here too.

Sorry for minor thread hijack. As you were......

Honk honk honk honk honk honk honk honk honk honk

I hope you're right Polter, but goodness it is not fair, that so much rests on our shoulders.

It can be too much to bear sometimes and the fear of the consequences of our own failure to protect our children, source provision for their needs and fight off those demons that try to derail us is overwhelming.

I cannot imagine for one second Lougle not getting it right. But why can't she and we just live without having to, just for a bit.

We're all wonderful

Well yesterday was odd. I collected DD3 from the playground and went to dd2's class room, which was empty except for two ladies talking. I knew that dd2 would be with her teacher, so I went to a lady who was with her child and asked where y3 comes out. She pointed to the class I'd been to, then said 'I recognise you....'

Long story short, we meet briefly c.10 years ago through church. She's moved to the area and has DD the same age, who was HE last year, started at this school last week and is in the same class as DD2.

This morning they were talking on the way into class. It would be so nice if she could have a friend.

I'd talk to you, zzzzz.

That's how it is with dd1, although she's much better for school staff than for me.

We've had a small breakthrough. DD2 cane down and said she couldn't sleep. I immediately asked her if 'she had a worry'.

She told us that she'd had a spelling test today and lots of the words were very tricky and she couldn't keep up.

It's amazing! She told us about a worry as soon as we asked, rather than 3 hours later and we were taking about a worry that happened today, not several weeks ago.

Also, the girls are trying French club tomorrow. DD2 started French lessons 2 weeks before she started school, so she'll love that.