Anyone for a starting school in September thread?

[SmellyBill]

Anyone want to join me on a starting school ramble?

DS1 (4.9 dx ASD) is starting (mainstream primary) school in September. He has a statement (though I'm not entirely convinced it is any good but IPSEA and others have told me I will lose at tribunal so not pursing it). He's been for a couple of taster sessions and enjoyed it but is refusing to even try the school uniform on and is adamant he won't be wearing it. As he has been so good on the settling sessions the class teacher doesn't think he has any difficulties . She is in for a shock!

That's us - what about you and yours

thanks polareyes

dd3 is going to nursery early on friday to have a free school dinner with the other nursery children that are going up. I have warned them she will need a lot of help and will make a huge mess, I'm not convinced they really got it though [sigh]. Will be packing spare clothes for her!

How did the reviews go Bigcar and Roundthebend?

Hope your DD3 enjoyed her dinner with the other children. DS1's class teacher went to the lunchclub at preschool on Weds. His teacher said to his 1:1 that DS1's behaviour "is so good, far better than another child who is starting." She is going to learn the hard way! Apparently the teacher asked DS1 if she could sit next to him and he said "no you can't".

Bigcar hope dd enjoyed her dinner and lol ds is going be the same

review went really well .it's going back to panel to look at addtional funding for his pd

on a plus side school teacher is determined to make it. Work has brought some Ot programmes .the caretake is building ramp so ds can acess playground on wheelchair bars going in the toilet

The teacher is lovely as is speech therapist and they will do everything they can for. Ds and will back me in tribunal that ds needs proper Ot support

He spent morning in unit and loved it .there going rearrange classroom slightly so he can get about easier

Came home cried with relief

For them it's been about fear if the unknown they have never had child like ds in the unit before, where his pd going to impact on everything throughout the day

But there willing to try which is all I want well want lot more but it's a start

Now be intresting see what Lea say about adtional funding on top of speech unit

My ds did his last settling session on Wednesday. Only just got on here. He came home happy but absolutly sopping wet (wee). Hadn't been noticed . I asked him why he had wee'd his pants and he told me the school didn't have toilets . I know he knows where the toilets are, we've been going to them for 2 whole terms when there for toddler terms. But he's not toilet trained so I suspect they didn't realise he needed the toilet and then didn't notice the puddle.

I've had a break through on the radio aid though. Head of service called me, they're going to supply a wireless radio aid , against county policy. Might have swung it by quoting ToD's classic "sheep" comment and the word complaint .

I did smile when we left the school (at normal home time). Older children were saying bye to him and referring to him by name. They didn't know any of the other starters names. I know he's really identifiable but they weren't shouting across to him, they were coming up to him. And one kid (probably about 8 or 9yo) offered to carry his kit bag (its about as big as him!!!) and another kid (probably 10yo) offered to carry his paintings. And there was DD not getting a look in, she was most put out!! Its normally the other way round. It was lovely to see them caring about him and looking out for him.

Half a term ago I was sending 1 NT DD to school and 1 SN DS to school. But I'm beginning to suspect we are sending 2 SN children to school. In the last 6 weeks DD has been diagnosed deaf and today we admitted defeat on her migraines which are poorly controlled. We are now under no illusions having spoken to the school and neurologist that if we don't get them under control her access to school is going to be severly restricted. We've got 6 weeks to try and get them to a level that she can access part-time school on a daily basis. Right now we're probably managing alternate days attendance. The neurologist has prescribed beta-blockers today to try and get them under control. What worries me is that dd hasn't had any support or anything put in place. We don't even know what they intend to do if she gets a migraine at school. She collapses screaming holding her head and needs manhandling to a quiet room to get calpol into her, she'll be asleep within 5 mins as well and then be sick whilst sleeping so needs watching. Not exactly something that schools are used to and I can't get to school that quickly! Guess we'll just have to play it by ear as who knows how things will be by September.

I bought their uniform today. Tried it on dd and she looks so cute in it . Got her pinefores, I love them on little girls. Not tried ds's on after the last attempt with the 2nd hand stuff and him ripping the trousers off!

Thanks Lunch went pretty well, good job it was sausages and chips, I think she spat a fair bit out but didn't make too much mess.

The emergency review went better then expected, they're changing dd3s 1:1 which is what we wanted as she was totally shit wasn't the most conscientious. And fingers crossed they will make the changes to the statement that we wanted as well And they're getting someone in to check accessibilty too The head has given me her email address and told me to make sure I use it She may regret that one

polareyes, my dd2 (NT) once told her teacher she didn't like her I wasn't quite sure where to put myself when the teacher told me! It's lovely to hear he enjoyed himself, takes some of the anxiety out of the situation doesn't it?!

roundthebend, that sounds quite positive some caretakers are pretty good, dd3s one painted all the step edges for her. Doesn't stop her falling down them of course but that's a whole other ishoooooo!

rebl, how unfortunate they hadn't noticed he was wet must have been uncomfortable for him. Big [yay] for the radio aids, how fantastic and that he enjoyed his day Sorry to hear about your dd, I guess you need to work out what she requires from school, put it in writing and hand it in as a "suggestion"!

roundthebend - yay all sounds good. Fingers crossed the panel agrees the extra funding with no fuss and does it asap.

rebl - poor DS being left wet. Woohoo for the radio aids and for his popularity. Sorry your DD is going through it atm - I hope the migranes get under control asap.

bigcar- glad lunch went well and the statement has been sorted. Must be a relief.

Checking back I realised I forgot to say hi to Marne.

DS1 has finished preschool now, I am not sure he really gets it. He asked if he could wear his old shoes to preschool next week and really cried and cried when I said his old shoes were too small and preschool had finished. Not sure if it was the shoes or preschool being over!

I'm tackling his constipation in the hope it is sorted before school. Incontinence nurse said I needed to double it then drop it down which I didn't want to do when he was still in preschool. I'm also potty training DS2 so I have a fun week ahead

Just an update, met with SENCO, nursery teacher, new school teacher, and our inclusion teacher at school. Went really well, got a few more insights into DDs actual behaviour at nursery, as we thought they werent aware of many of her issues. They only see her for 3 hours....and she loves nursery! Our inclusion teacher was quick to raise many issues; breaktime buddy, help with eating/dressing/hygiene, the impact of doubling her hours, a communication diary...I often have no idea whats she is obsessing about as she makes little sense! It was lovely to hear that she has excellent drawing/writing/maths skills...they were even concerned that school may be boring, not challenging enough! Left feeling posative and they cant wait to teach her.

DS (4.3, dx ASD) will start school in January (the LEA has staggered entry) - can I join anyway?
He's going to MN, and has a statement. The school seems nice; we had a chat about transition etc. but my main worry is how to make sure that they actually stick to the statement.

woolytree - all sounds really positive

sc13- hi the more the merrier. IKWYM about sticking to the statement - it does seem to require a large amount of trust. Glad the school seem nice and putting together a transition plan should bode well.

Does anyone think it is a good idea to try and become School Governor, or volunteer to do things at the school (like reading to children)? DH is all set on infiltrating the system, as he calls it

It's a good plan IMO, but be careful how you do it - when I was teaching I had a parent who would do that then use confidential info to get at us and ended up banned from the premises more or less! We used to hide when we saw her coming. I'm sure you wouldn't be like that though.

I am starting to think I need to push for a SA even though DS1 is pretty fine, his ASD-ness is becoming more apparent as he gets older. There is a big row going on between health and education about who is responsible for supplying SALT and OT to school age kids - slightly moot point as they don't actually have any OTs, but why let that get in the way of a good row? LOL. I think I am going to start the process and see how we go - there is no way DS1 will cope without SALT.

Just another update...mixed bag!

Got our assesment appointment at Neuro disability department. Yey! 18th August!

DD has had a bad week, wetting pants/bed, moods...Im shattered and she breaks up tomorrow!

School did as promised and photographed her classroom, teacher, dinner lady, dinning room and outside play area. All in a lovely book called my new school to help with the transition. Thought they had forgot went in with my camera and they had given it to her....memorised already!

Done really well reading this week, im not sure how well she should be doing at aged 4 and 9 months?

Good luck with the holidays everyone!

Can I join? DS (4.4yrs) is starting Reception at MS School with ASD unit. He doesn't seem to understand that he is leaving Pre-School and thinks he is going to 'Big' School as well. I am worried about how he will cope without his Pre-School 1 to 1 - he worships her! Also toilet at 'big' school has a fan in it!! And we still got to sort out the transport.

polar eyes amount of poop going be around we might need shovel to find you under it but sure will smeel you first

Wooytree

glad you finallt have date

Jackny

IS your ds going in the asd unit with staement as long as more than 3 miles .What happened here was the Lea informed transport who hen called me discussed what we need in way of transport .FOr ds needed to be Wheelchair vehice as there not allowed lift children and he cant do stairs

LOL it is going o.k. here but I have a feeling DS1's increased medicine is only just kicking in. Perfect timing as MIL's birthday tomorrow so will be round there most of the day.

sc13 - I'm going to give it a term or so to see how things go for DS1 then will volunteer for reading with the children if they need one. Not sure I would be brave enough to become a governor

Bigweehag- Good luck with the statementing if that's what you decided to do. I would LOL about the SALT and OT argument if it weren't for the fact it is the children who end up losing out on it. Our LEA and Health Authority have a nice little arrangement; SALT won't make recommendations for visits so that lets them and the LEA off the hook. Not sure they are actually allowed to do it but a small matter of law won't stop them!

woolytree hope the appt goes well. Sorry DD has been wetting - possibily a bit unsettled with all the talk of change coming up. Glad the school sorted out photos.

jackny - hi. I don't think my DS1 gets he isn't going back to preschool either. Hope the transition goes well and you get transport sorted out easily.

Polar eyes our Ot section is the same , yet Lea gave it to me but Ot saying cnat provide so going try forcing Lea to pay privatley

roundthebend, they have to don't they, statement being legally binding and all that.

the school senco made my day last week (have older dcs at the school), after 8 years she finally made me smile! She was the back end of the horse in the school play, still making me chuckle now

how's everyone feeling now it's getting a little closer? Dd3 keeps wanting to look at her transition book, so looking quite good here for now.

omg just wanted to say hugs and good luck to you all, my 3 year old daughter won't be starting school til next September but I'm scared for her already!!! Why should things be so hard for our children

Anyone else in Herts got any advice about statements or special schools for me?!!

steph007, StarlightMcKenzie is knowledgable about Herts.

Well, I had my first chat about school with DD1 that didn't result in meltdown because she wanted to get straight in the car and go.

I still don't know when DD will get her home visit, when her first day will be or what her attendance pattern will be.

hi can i join? Ds will be starting MS in september. is 4.5 and very gorgeous with gdd, spd and almost definitely asd.

kept hoping that this year he would have a development spurt and the efforts on self-help skills would come to fruition but no luck.

Now we have to cross fingers and wait to see if the draft statement will be any good (due in the next couple of weeks)

Lougle - yay for talking about school progress, hope you get the info you need asap.

TheCrunchyside - Hi. Hope the statement comes through soon and is a good one.

We've got 2 SALT's coming tomorrow, 1 is his current 1 and the other is the one who will take his case after he starts school. He is only likely to get 1 visit throughout the whole school year so I am not sure what the point is really! I'm quite happy for him to be discharged from SALT now as the input we've had has always caused more problems than solved. Got his last home visit with his Specialist Teacher next month and we will really miss her. She got DS1 holding a pencil and drawing which he has refused to do for months and months for both me and preschool.

thought I'd bump this to see how everyone is getting on

dd3 has stopped pulling her hair out, shows it was just down to nursery She's loving her transition book so hoping the new term won't be too bad.

hi bigcar

glad dd3 has stopped pulling her hair out and I really hope the change into primary school is a positive one.

We're fine, I have not done much about getting DS1 into uniform, though he has picked out a pair of school shoes that meet with his approval. Of course they are the most expensive pair Clarks do! My next step is to order them into the shop then take him over for the fitting. DS1 is in himself much easier company but tbh I am still struggling to adjusting to have both children at home all the time. Don't have a particularly wide social circle so spend most days just us 3.

we seem to have cracked post 3.30pm poos so hoping that will continue at school so as to avoid him needing to poo theere and withholding and the whole nightmare that leads to.

Hi everyone! :)

DDs appointment on weds ....ready for long ranting thread then!?

DD lost verbal skills for several weeks, babbling....stress, back now, still wetting night and day but went on big loo yesterday and day before without prompting or anxiety. :) Holidays have been a bit up and down so far....not been out that much. Think were ready for school!

Got uniform.....forgot PE kit!