Can anyone help me with exactly what I need to say to Ds's teacher to let her know my concerns and that I want more doing ?

[CrackerNut]

I am really bad at explaining things to people like doctors and teachers, as I always feel like they think I am being nuerotic and talking rubbish.

I am going to ask Ds's teacher if I can speak to her after school tommorow or even tonight if she has time, but I am not sure what I want to say.

I have another thread somewhere about my concerns with Ds but basically, I feel that he is getting further and further behind in every area of school and that he needs additional, regular help and i'd also like the senco to become invloved, i think.

Basically what I want to say is 'i think there is something more to this than just him being him', but say it in a better way.

It doesn't help that I tend to get overly emotional everytime I even think of discussing this with anyone as I kind of feel like I am being unfair to Ds discussing his failures if you get what I mean.

Thanks, I will definatly be asking for a copy. I am not sure exactly when it was done but obviously must have been in the last 6mths.

Sorry to hijack but, Amber, can I just ask what school you're referring to? We're looking at private schools with specialist units - we've been to check out Bethany and Newlands. But always good to hear first-hand views on schools.

Will CAT you, if you accept CATS and I can work out how to do them!

Drat, says you can't be CATTed

Try now...

CrackerNut, I'm glad you got to speak to the teacher. It's a start, even if not ideal. I agree that you should ask to have a copy of the audit. Give the school a few days to mull over what you've said today, then if you haven't heard from the senco you can always contact the senco directly. You've got to push beyond what teachers think sometimes and really get your point of view and your child's needs across. Talk to the senco about the eye contact thing, ask exactly what has been looked at so far - maybe they were just looking at the reading/writing in terms of what he knows but not how your ds does things.

Is your ds in year 1? The finger spaces thing is quite common at that age, you could try having two example sentences written out (use his own writing/spelling), one with no spaces and one with. Have it on a little card for him to look at to remind him when he writes (that's what I would have done as a teacher).

Thanks Lazybones. I am going to ask his teacher for a copy of the audit tommorow and then will do as you say and leave them to it for a while to see what happens.

The idea about the 2 examples of writing is a fab idea and just might work.

He is in yr1 but they seem really surprised that he has so much trouble remembering the spaces.

Asked in the office for a copy of Ds's audit and they said I need to request in writing and then they have 7 days to respond.

I am actually glad I have to ask for it in writing because that means that the senco will know I have concerns even if Ds's teacher doesn't speak to her.

Little update : Had a letter from the Senco today inviting me to a meeting to discuss my concerns.
The meeting is next Wednesday morning before school and she has asked Ds's teacher to reassess him before then so that she has up to date info.

I'm pretty nervous about it, but am glad that they have responded so quickly.

I am assuming I have to take Ds with me as the meeting is at 8:40 am.

I should take a list with me shouldn't I ? Or will that make me look too ott.

How are you getting on?