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SN teens and young adults

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on SN.

Do I look into this more?

3 replies

herestoabetteryear · 08/01/2021 13:07

Name changed for this as not sure if anyone irl knows my username.

I can't decide if 15yr old teen dd may have some other kind of SEN that's not diagnosed.

She has a diagnosis of dyslexia (picked up fairly late at 12/13 but had been struggling with written work for a while, primary school brushed off my concerns). Has some hypermobility - not officially diagnosed but picked up by an osteopath.

Her main issue in school is English and specifically creative writing. Really struggles to be able to imagine any situations. Overall her dyslexia causes memory retention issues and struggles to get things from her head onto paper.

At home the main problem she has is sleeping. She really struggles to go to sleep, can't seem to get the concept of dreaming about things. Says she can't switch off from things and her brain goes at a million miles an hour. Sometimes wakes up in the night and can't go back to sleep. Uses fidget cubes quite a lot when doing school work.

Always had friends but always had a small close circle. Not interested in parties. Doesn't really follow traditional teenage girl interests. Passionate about what she loves. Not sure it's really relevant but I would guess that she is gay (we have no issues with that btw) just trying to give the biggest picture. Is very much a do-er, is part of many clubs inside and out of school.

Has some sensory needs. Hates loud noises and likes being squeezed really tight. Is very emotional.

I would say lots of these things have only become apparent as she has got older. The reason I am writing this is she's been in tears again this morning. Home learning does not suit her. She is very sociable and being at home all the time really affects her mental health. She had to do creative writing, she became very anxious, very tearful. Was spinning a fidget cube wildly. Gets cross that she can't do it. She creates a big block that she can't get past. I tried to help her break it down. But she just says I can't do it. I don't know. I can't think - and basically gets nowhere.

I have no idea of this is normal teen, her dyslexia or perhaps something more. Would just appreciate any thoughts.

OP posts:
herestoabetteryear · 08/01/2021 13:08

Should have also said. Is very disorganised, not great time management. Is quite chaotic. Have always put this under the dyslexia umbrella.

OP posts:
BlankTimes · 08/01/2021 22:55

Really struggles to be able to imagine any situations. Overall her dyslexia causes memory retention issues and struggles to get things from her head onto paper.

I'd list absolutely everything that she struggles with even the things you are convinced are her already dxd Dyslexia and go to the GP and ask for a referral for assessment, because many traits of one condition can overlap with another.

Possibly start with a Speech and Language Therapist but ideally by a team, usually Paed, SLT, Ed Psych and OT, that way it's a comprehensive assessment and all of her needs should be identified.

PaddingtonPaddington · 12/01/2021 19:53

She sounds a little like my DD who was diagnosed with ADHD at 15. The part you mentioned about creative writing made me think of this video: www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjVo-TvlJfuAhWtQkEAHTpUByIQFjABegQIChAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DUo08uS904Rg&usg=AOvVaw3Gya3eJqNJ6rJsd3dsbdjP
Has your DD been assessed by an Educational Psychologist or Psychiatrist?

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