Accidently ended up at logger heads with school. DD 9, Autistic and ADHD. Has a full EHCP and 1-1.
I've been worried as she is struggling much more this year. The feedback coming home from school is mixed. We met today and they've followed up saying "It seems that she is thriving academically and enjoys being at school".
I will happily accept this except here is an example of her daily communication book over 6 days.
Day 1: 'Very smiley coming in - well being 5 mins then handwriting. Maths basic skills - DD cross as not finding /10 and changing numbers to decimals [easy] refusing help but got there in the end - enjoyed working with [teacher] for 5 mins with her full attention. Heath walk - lovely behaviour. Break - 3 x snack. Droopy eyelids and looking exhausted - getting v.irrritable. Lunch. Small problem at lunch time with noise and being irritated by other class members - lunch supervisor helped her find a peaceful spot but needed a calming chat outside at end of lunch. While outside there was a class vote but DD very upset as thought I was saying she wouldn't be able to be digital leader. I had just tried to sooth her by explaining this role involves a lot of problem solving, stress and management but she took it the wrong way..[further explanation]..) DD looking very tired and tearful. Sensory time and drink. Chose to relax on bean bag and read.
Day 2: 'Very happy coming in once I explained [teacher] holding on to diary as it is so splendid and she can't wait to read it! English - Midsummers night dream DD engaged and enjoying the challenge of who is in love with who at the moment. Team work linked to characters, DD very frustrated with speed under pressure and snatched and shouted briefly at another child but managed to let off steam outside, vent and calm and later apologised to child (who she saw cry) and gently hug her. Did this beautifully. Brain break. Worship. 3 Snacks + Playtime. Maths - understanding hundredths on a place value chart. DD finding challenging but seems to be getting there gradually. [Trickier afternoon, book not finished]
Day 3: [teacher] had a nice walk and chat with DD and settled her for day. Dd happy and settled. Maths - positioning decimal numbers. DD very cross at first (doesn't understand why not the same as Y3 Partitioning) but we persevered but between [teacher] and I DD finally accepted why this has changed and therefore could understand the activity she has been given. Dojo point. Well done DD. Extra brain breaks and running off frustration and temper outside. Seems very tired. Worship. Break - 3 x snacks. English - MND. Worked alone for this in peaceful spot as getting louder with frustrations in class. Guided reading. Lunch. Computing - another outburst as felt she didn't have enough time. Time out to regulate - good vent and chat about feelings - acknowledged and worked through. Lots of running, jumping, bubbles. Calming chalking working on our art theme in class. Very tired and quite fragile.
Day 4: Today she is particularly exhausted and desperately needs more sleep. Unable to access much maths, same with most lessons yesterday. Good day tailored DD's needs of needing to work independently, at a different pace, due to exhaustion. Well being + mytime afternoon.
Day 5: Very happy and excited to tell me all about the weekend. Enjoyed a walk/talk. Very droopy eyes and head going on desk throughout morning but managed to complete some maths successfully and some English. DD still cross about maths concept. Brain break. Playtime 3 x snacks. English - features of a narrative (story). DD did a good job at highlighting fronted adverbials, expanded noun phrases. Lunch - fine. Times tables - v.tired. Gymnastics - cross during team grouping. Art - became extremely frustrated. Persevered but ran out of time to complete - we can repeat.
Day 6: Happy coming in . Lovely chat and warm up activity. Maths - shortened and simplified - managed well - needed extra brain break. Story time + break, 3 snacks. Sensory regulation time. English - spellings. MND - Support with writing a section of story written from Titania's perspective. Brain break outside. Speech and language game. Guided reading - good listening. Lunch. Times tables - good perseverance. Science, food chains - matching vocab and drew food chain in book and enjoyed using chalk outside to do the same. BB for not shouting at others when frustrated. Running games outside. A better day today.
Am I worrying for nothing?