Does anyone have a child with hemiplegia?

[Freddiecat]

Basically DS (4) has this. We've known for 2 years but kind of thought it wouldn't be an issue as it's so mild. He wears a splint to correct toe-walking and has been almost signed off by the paediatrician. However an ed psych assessment at school has kind of listed him as ADD.

I kind of feel like I see my son as a bright, happy and slightly solitary little boy but his school see him as the above and also with a disability which is a big jump.

Hi Freddiecat - its lovely that youre so positive about your son. Some mainstream schools get really panicky about labels, and cant see past them to the actual child.

Have you been in touch with Hemihelp? Theyre an organisation for families and children with hemiplegia, they have a reguklar newsletter and do advice sheets for schools which you might find useful if school are getting funny about your son.

Lots of children with hemiplegia have a degree of behaviour difficulty which may be what your ed psych is interpreting as ADD, but I dont suppose its impossible to have both. Can you discuss it with your Paed or any therapists you see?

If your son is having difficulty in school because he is having trouble processing information or has perceptual difficulties, it would be a shame to end up with an inappropriate label.

Hi Freddiecat

My DD has hemiplegia in her left side, she is 2.5 and is currently undergoing assessment to see is she is ASD.

I think the behavioural problems that our little ones face are a part of the hemiplegia but our paed has told us that DD has the triad of impairments and that is why she is being assessed.
Hemihelp are very good and have a forum you can go on as well, if you dont mind me asking, is your DS toilet trained as im trying to get info on my DD,s toilet training as she,s not interested at all at the moment.

TIA

Thanks for your replies. Jenk - DS toilet trained when he was 2yrs 4months but it has taken about 2 years to get it completely sorted out and he is still not dry at night. I have no idea whether this is a hemi thing or not.

Frankly with DS I think he is the sort of child who will look around at everything all the time but takes in more than you think. (I have been caught out talking about things I shouldn't have so many times!).

School are good - and say they have taught other children with hemi before so I wonder if they are looking for things which doen't exist.