I'm worried about my DS going into the juniors on Monday

[Pinkchampagne]

I really don't know how he is going to cope with it all.
He has always had to have a lot of extra support at school (doesn't yet have a dx, but they are looking into AS/dyspraxia), and there is going to be so much more expected of him now.

I have been trying to do his diary writing homework with him, and even with me sitting over him, it is such a struggle. His writing is worse than a lot of the children we had in reception last year, and he needs so much pushing to actually get on with it. He slouches & rubs his eyes when he is sat down to write anything, and you cannot read what he eventually produces.

He cannot organise himself at all, and there won't be someone constantly asking if he has changed his reading book etc.

Also, I am getting upset at the thought of leaving him in that junior playground with all the bigger children. He struggled enough in the infant one.

I am just so worried for him.

Definitely wish we had a crystal ball. I worry a lot about how DS1 is going to get on when he's older.

Did your DS have a good day today, Niecie?

I know exactly what you mean about dyspraxia easier to cope with than AS. I think it is because dyspraxia is primarily physical although it has emotional and behavioural effects. But aspergers is mental and behavioural and 100 years ago people would probably have said they were 'mad' so there is still a stigma attached with that. People don't understand because they can't see AS. They could understand not being able to write neatly because they have trouble with their hands but they can't understand somebody who can't have a normal conversation with me. Take's my take on it anyway. It is besides the point that both are behavioural problems arising, I think, from physical differences in the brain.

DS got on OK today although his teacher came out to me today again this evening(!) about a note I left in his homework book about possibly seeing an ed psych. She is going to look into it for me. We shall see how long all that takes. I won't hold my breath.

I was reminded today about somebody I know who got a statement and it seems to be another case of post code lottery. The boy is in DS class and seems to have mild speech problems due to a hearing difficulty. His father used to be in the RAF so they moved around a lot. Seems he got statemented easily in Lincolnshire but wouldn't have been in Yorkshire or Hampshire where we live. Not fair is it.

Sorry forgot to say I am glad that DS had an uneventful day and got a sticker. My DS got one to but can't remember what it was for so that was a worthwhile incentive.

Glad DS2 had a good day too. Does he suddenly look all grown up in his uniform?

Nearly the weekend!

DS2 looks too little to be wearing a uniform - the sweatshirt drowns him! He settled in fine, and I was told at break time that it's like he's been at the school for ages! He's a little monster, so they will have different problems with him! him being so different really magnifies DS1's problems.

I am glad to hear your DS had a good day, Niecie. Does he talk about his day much?
My DS has very little to say about school when he gets home.

Only under intense interrogation.

Good or bad, he has never said much except he doesn't want to go although he is happy enough when coming out. Asked him about the best thing he did today but after discounting break and lunch he said RE. I think I am being fobbed off!

I am worried that his teacher doesn't know what to make of him - she is very young and only been at the school a year so I assume she is not long out of college. She will have all the up to date techniques but no experience to go on. She seems very nice though.

Have you spoken to his new teacher about his difficulties yet, Niecie?

Not really, other than to say he has got some and he needs to see the OT again soon and that I would like him to see the ed psych. She is going to look into it but I will definitely make an appointment to speak to her properly towards the end of next week.

Interesting to see what she has noticed and whether she finds him a typical Aspie.

Are you going to book an appointment with the teacher as well? Do you know his teacher at all?

I know his teacher through work, and his TA.
Have spoken to his TA, who asked me what worked with him. I think they give him extra help with his handwriting & his sticker today came from his TA.
I have a parents meeting (I dread those so much!) early next month, so will talk to his teacher in more detail then.
I also talk to the SENCO about any worries I have.

It is handy for your working at the school as at least you know the system. I and the other parents have no real idea on anything like homework, reading and how you get to see the teacher for some help. Apparently, they have one parents evening and one open evening a term so we have a parents evening in mid October. When we had our brief conversation yesterday the teacher said that we could speak to her then but I know from experience no sooner have you sat down than they are trying to get rid of you, with so many parents to see, so I shan't wait until then.

I just want to get on with it all and get some programmes in place but it isn't fair to put the pressure on so soon but it all takes so long.

End of the week at last! So how do you rate it, better or worse than you thought?

Probably better in that DS is now happy to walk into the junior playground without clinging onto me, as I thought on Monday, I was going to have that for a while.

He doesn't talk about school much at all, but I asked him how he liked the juniors & if he thought it would be better than the infants, and he said he liked the infants much more.

How do you feel after your DS's first week? Do you feel it has gone better than expected?

Probably better although we suddenly have the issue of shouting out and talking to loudly that the infants never commented on.

We got a copy of the infant school Ofsted report today. The inspection was done in the last week of term and the headteacher said she would send us a copy once it was out. It made me quite sad as the report said the school was outstanding and it is just a shame that DS has had to leave. He was OK there, safe even, all the teachers knew all the children, they all did well and got an excellent education. It is all a bit unknown at the juniors especially as the head has suddenly gone on extended sick leave today. Anyway, I thought I was being a bit pathetic but turns out I am not the only one - my friend said she felt the same and she is usually a hardnut!

Still, at least DS2 can go there next year. That will stir them all us I am sure!

Glad to hear you felt it went a little better than expected, Niecie.

my DS1 still doesn't talk about school at all, but is now going into the junior playground without a fuss.

It is his birthday tomorrow, so he is having a few friends from his class back for tea, which I hope he will enjoy.

Hi Happy birthday to your ds - I hope he enjoys his party. Do you have a theme or anything like that? Is he too old for party games? DS2 has his birthday on Friday and is suddenly really upset that he isn't having a party even though we are taking him to Longleat on Saturday after he has wanted to go for months! You can't win, can you?

DS1 is a bit quiet this week. He keeps saying he doesn't want to go to school although he is not complaining directly. We have loads of homework to do too which is a nightmare for both of us! He isn't happy but he is not playing up so that is the best I can ask for really.

I don't know what is going to happen at the school actually as the head teacher had a stroke last week and is paralysed down one side and blind in one eye so she won't be back at work in a hurry, if ever. The deputy head is in charge for now but she is also the SENCO so the poor woman has enough on her plate without worrying about my DS. I am not sure we are going to get to have a chat now. I will leave it a week and see how things go but his teacher is very young and I was hoping that the SENCO would know a bit more about the system and getting DS to see the ed psych.

I hope your DS is not resisting school too much and starts to open up a bit (its the not knowing what is bothering them that is the worst,I think) and that DS2 is still happy to go. Have a good afternoon.

Happy birthday to your DS, Pinkchampagne! I hope the tea-party goes well .

Thank you both.

DS didn't have a themed party, he just had 5 friends back for tea.
Luckily the weather was ok, so they were able to go outside...but the noise!!

DS seems to have had a nice day though, and he has been thoroughly spoilt!
I really can't believe he is eight already!

Hope you manage to speak to someone at your DS's school, Niecie.
Sorry to hear about his head teacher.