Advice and support for parenting a twice exceptional child

[Bimbil19]

I think I'm looking for advice, recommendations of books/resources, tips and support really.

My son is about to turn 7 and we are lucky that his school spotted from pre-school that he had some behaviours to keep an eye on. This has evolved through reception and now into year 1. He is very bright but displays clear ADHD and autistic traits as well as having been assessed as mildly dyspraxic, all of which makes the classroom environment a challenge for him. He is an amazing little boy but has never been easy to parent - i always just thought i was failing him. Anyway, the school have now recommended we move ahead with an assessment given his age and the sendco explained he is 'twice exceptional'.

I've felt very emotional about it all and would love any support or advice others can share on parenting these little people.

As well as assessments for ASD and ADHD, an ed psych assessment will help. Also, an OT assessment including sensory OT assessment by the sounds of it.

Reading IPSEA and SOSSEN’s websites and the SENCOP will help you begin to learn about the SEN system, which is going to be important as DS gets older. You could think about requesting an EHCNA.

Thank you so much for coming back to me- i hadn't heard of those sites so I'm really grateful. The school actually recommended an OT so we had an assessment done earlier this year and have been working with her since. I have seen it really have a genuine impact on how he is doing which has been great.

I hadn't considered an ed psych - I will investigate!

What is twice exceptional?

Is the OT someone with the ability to cover the sensory integration side of things? I ask because not all OTs have qualifications and experience in sensory integration.

@Clangershome it is where a child has SEN but is also gifted.

Yes, she's doing a lot of sensory work with him and I really can see the value of it for him. We've also been able to integrate what she has suggested at home which has helped a lot too. She also went into school to help them set up a good sensory circuit for him for before school etc.