Primary school auties thread 9 - spring / summer 2022.

[danni0509]

Thread 9.

Links to previous threads below.

For the parents / carers of children with additional needs, most of us have asd / adhd children in primary school, but anybody is welcome to join us to chat x

Thread 1
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/3080753-DS-with-ASD-starting-school-Sept-2018-I-am-feeling-overwhelmed

Thread 2
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/3451020-Reception-auties-2018-19-thread-2

Thread 3
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/3628263-Auties-transition-to-Year-1-thread-3

Thread 4
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/3748449-Primary-school-Auties-into-2020-thread-4

Thread 5
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/3953023-Primary-school-auties-summer-and-beyond-thread-5?pg=1

Thread 6
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/4166833-Primary-school-auties-spring-2021-and-beyond-thread-6?pg=1

Thread 7
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/4303826-Primary-school-auties-summer-and-the-new-academic-year-thread-7

Thread 8
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/4422100-Primary-school-auties-step-into-Christmas-and-the-New-Year-thread-8

DS's school had an Easter competition yesterday at school. I asked him if he had enjoyed looking at the other eggs and cupcakes. He said no he had been too busy staring at Mrs xx (the headteacher)! I burst into laughter and he asked me if it was funny and I said it made me laugh as it was unexpected and unusual behaviour. DS giggled with me but was looking at me like I made no sense at all. It is quite hard trying to explain things like that isn't it

Did she have an Easter bonnet or something on dimples?

I hope everyone is having a good break so far. We haven't done much yet except the dentist. Ds was not impressed after the dentist put the fluoride paste on his teeth. He said it was the 'grossest thing ever'. Hopefully he's have forgotten about it by his next check up!

Not bad here. DD in tennis camp this week so she’s sorted. Took DS to some RHS gardens today where we are members. It was a successful visit.

Got a call with the epilepsy consultant Friday. He’s been on meds for 2 years and seizure free so they want to wean him off. Im terrified in case it’s only the meds that’s been keeping things at bay. But the drs say kids can grow out of seizure activity and they don’t want anyone to be on meds they don’t need which I understand as well if course.

Hope everyone is ok

Of course that should be

We have another new brand of Melatonin today, Teva I think. We used to only get Circadin but lately we’ve had some different ones.

carrie I hope the call goes well Friday.

No Easter bonnet Open! I am impressed that your DS allowed the dentist to paint fluoride on his teeth.

Good luck at the appointment on Friday Carrie.

I spoke to SENCO yesterday and Ed Psych is coming to see DS the week after the hols. Unfortunately she said it's taking ages for the reports to come through after that.

Hi all. OK here, DS gone to sleep 9.45 tonight after epic 11.30 mucking about last night. He's upset as the staircase broke and so we had to take it down, now it looks different etc, he's on about us having another baby just so we can buy another one ha!
It's lovely having him at home but the days are so long to fill. I think that's true if any child but especially ones who can't play on their own or access holiday clubs or play dates, v tricky and I feel like I'm not doing enough although he seems to be happy and actually enjoying the downtime.
I think it's always a bit funny as we all adjust to the new routine. He's also confused about what day it is and upset that we had to miss the trip away. He was also mightily miffed to realise Easter was still over a week away! I think because the schools celebrate early but it's confusing, you know. He found a switch game in the cupboard today too that I was saving for his bday so I'll have to get a bit sneakier in my hiding places!!

Stair gate, not staircase!! Just to clarify!!!

Would he not do a holiday club or a play date Susan? If not why not? Does the SS offer holiday clubs, I have wondered about whether DSs would (or not?). I know Open has talked before about successful play dates, it’s not something I can ever see DS doing but not sure if that’s just influenced by the fact at the moment he can’t communicate. He does just tend to do his own thing rather than what other kids are doing which isn’t a great foundation for a play date is it?! I also find myself spending a lot of time trying to get him to do what all other kids are doing and him doing what he wants to do then getting frustrated that he isn’t interested! Like at the RHS gardens today there was of course an Easter egg hunt, DS didn’t get it at all, showed no interest, wouldn’t look at what I was trying to show him. Was far more interested in finding a big stick and then prodding every plant with it and splashing it in the puddles. So much for the Easter egg hunt.

I know what you mean about days being long. I dropped DD at tennis then headed to the RHS this morning but was rained off at midday, I was thinking what do I do now for the whole pm??? He would trek around quite happily with me floating in and out of shops and cafes etc but I never feel that’s constructive time for him. But then as he won’t play with anything at home that’s hardly constructive either.

This is why we go out… a lot!

@carriebradshawwithlessshoes his school don't offer anything for Easter and he would massively struggle with any different semi structured situation. I changed jobs so I have the holidays free so it makes sense but I know he misses his friends. I was thinking for the summer hols that I might contact some of the parents of his friends and ask about play dates but I would definitely have to stay as its too much responsibility to hand over to anyone else and I wouldn't feel comfortable. Nor would DS I doubt. My parents are worried about covid and my brother in law and his wife struggle at he's so different to their kids.
We do a lot, we played lots of board games, baked cakes, garden time, trampoline, playing with sensory stuff, reading, etc etc. Might try and go for a walk tomorrow, I could bribe DS with the shop! Ironically, he would love to go to an English Heritage place for an egg hunt but I don't drive so we can't until the weekends!

Like Susan my ds can't access any clubs or play dates. I also didn't book dd in for anything this holiday either, like most kids she get super anxious if her friends aren't doing something too. I will definitely do the ss summer club if they do it again this year.

We went to the post office yesterday, which is the first time I've ever taken ds. It's funny how you forget what it's like to be in new situations. He did really well considering. Ds is much happier being at home than leaving the house.

carrie going to a shop or cafe is life experience so I’m sure it’s fine.

We have good play dates and not so good ones. Sometimes it depends on the other child and how assertive they are, sometimes it depends on ds’ mood. There are a couple of friends where it generally goes well but not always. There’s another where the last three times we’ve met up the kids have not really spoken which is tricky. Ds has never been to a holiday club as he’d need 1:1 support. I suspect he’d just be as resistant as at school anyway and I don’t work. His current school don’t offer one.

liv yay for post office trip going well.

Ds not really interested in Easter egg hunts as he won’t eat the chocolate, though he has done them at home, but he does love a treasure hunt either inside or outside. I often use them to sneak in some learning.

I downloaded The Last Bookshop in London audiobook. I still have to finish My Italian Bulldozer which I keep listening to in dribs and drabs. I’ve made a list of books I want to read this year most actual books, some audio and some Kindle.

I'm still reading Mexican Gothic, ngruggh!

I just finished Piranesi, which I enjoyed. I know I'm a bit behind the curve on that one though!

Oh I loved Piranesi, beautifully written.

I haven’t read it yet.

I came across a challenge to read 5 books in 5 different categories in a year so I’m giving that a go.

Managed a swim with DS and managed to locate my clothes on exit Dimples 🤣🤣. So not a bad day .

That's a result carrie!

I was persuaded to download Piranesi on my Kindle, I just finished Murder at the Vicarage. I'm trying to resist Googling spoilers to check my thoughts on what it's about. I'm also not sure if I can deal with the whole book being like the beginning - does it develop?

Ds has been up both the last two nights with his sticky eye thing. We were at the optician's today so hopefully we can get it cleared up. It's likely blepharitis. The GP has not been particularly helpful (though nurse practitioner suggested optician today), we should have just gone to see the optician sooner. Anyway... The unusual thing is that both nights he has gone back to sleep afterwards until about 6am. I'm starting to wonder if the Teva XL is some sort of wonder melatonin (it's still only 2mg). It's probably just coincidence it's a shame you can't choose your brand.

Yay Carrie!

Open hope his eye clears up soon.

DS's school has broken up for Easter today. I already feel weary!

Hooray on the swimming @carriebradshawwithlessshoes!
@openupmyeagereyes yes it does develop but in ways you might not expect...hope DS' eyes are better soon. I am ordering the new Rivers of London novel that's just come out. I finished Mexican Gothic, very good, gave me nightmares!
We are doing OK, lots of walks out to the playground and shop, no school worksheets done yet though! Lots of switch game playing although DS keeps getting me to play them!
Weather is nice today so we're chalking pictures of the solar system (latest interest, don't ask! No DS, I don't know what the planets in other galaxies are called), and trampolining. Going to town tomorrow now we're all neg from covid for a few days and I can walk more than 10m without losing my breath! Then we're going to this family friendly gig thing on Sun that I hope DS likes! DH worrying about petrol as apparently there's a shortage. I'm busy trying to write a treasure hunt for next weekend and hide some eggs etc! DS has been very sweet though setting up his own treasure hunts all.over the place, even practicing his writing,so that's been nice. Now just need to get him to sleep before 10.30 at night!!

@dimples76 I am also tired!

spoiler I finished Piranesi.

My initial thoughts were that he was in a MH facility and the other was the psychiatrist, then that he was imprisoned by the other. It was an interesting book, reminded me a bit of The Magus.