DS aged 8 has Dyspraxia and hypermobility with some sensory issues. Today he brought home a letter from school with information regarding riding lessons which are being offered to him through the school in partnership with a riding for the disabled group. He and I are very excited about this as it is something we have been thinking about doing for ages, and for him to be offered this in school hours and with a much reduced price is brilliant.
The problem is that he will be one of only six students doing this in a mainstream school. And he will have to go in to school in the morning in his 'civvies' and change back into his uniform when he gets back. Obviously his peers will notice this and ask him questions about it.
Initially I have told him it will help with his bendy joints and stamina and part of me is tempted to leave it at that. However I also think it may be time to give him a name to explain the difficulties that he has with other things like memory, organisation, social interaction and very poor co-ordination.
I know that he is also a bit suspicious about the amount of hospital visits and tests he has, and he is about to start a new round of O.T to address his sensory issues.
How have others approached the issue of telling their children about their diagnosis?
I would like advice on how to do it in a 'positive' way.
I am feeling very conflicted at the moment, as it seems that if we take up this offer DS will really have to acknowledge his differentness (not sure that makes sense)
A