My boy is getting on really well with his new tutor, they are slowly but surely building a good rapport and making good progress all the time. They have started to work on subjects within the ciriculum and his tutor is very impressed. He is amazed that a child who has been out of school for so long is still ahead of his peers in many subjects. My boy seems to have a knack for just absorbing information and remembering it. Apprently the tutors job is also to try to get him back into school, but despite many attempts and copious amounts of encouragement it just isn't happening. However when he is happy and at home feeling safe they can cover lessons quickly and easily with his answers being thoughtful and mature.
We have been to another review of how things are going and even though his SENCo felt he hadn't seen any progress, ie he's not attending school, everyone else was most pleased as he's engaging in his lessons and actually learning! So much so that they suggest he choses his options (just incase he does return) and start studying with a view to taking a few GCSEs. Oh, and the emphasis is no longer on getting him to attend his school but just to get him out of the house. That should be interesting as my boy does not enjoy going out. The sensory side of things takes over when out and about not to mention the unpredictability of things and expectations required of him. All trips are a complete nightmare for him and his anxiety levels go through the roof.
Having said that tomorrow he's having his haircut, it's all a bit too hair bear bunch at the moment! Haircuts are a major sensory nightmare which he can only cope with when he feels completely ok so they are generally only attempted during school holidays when he has nothing else to stress him out. It also helps that he has gradually over time built up a real trust in our hairdresser, who's is absolutely amazing with him. Not to mention super fast with the scissors!
After that I'm hoping he'll feel ok enough to visit my parents for the afternoon, but we will see. Two outings in one day may be just a bit too much!
Thursday, 16 February 2012
Thursday, 2 February 2012
Cobwebs and Neglect
Oh dear I appear to have been neglecting this blog somewhat and it's about time I brought it up to date. This may be a long post....
Well, things with my boy went from bad to worse as his stress and anxieties took over again. Everything started to become a bit too much as my husband needed my car as the company van was no longer his to use. This impacted on my boy severely as he has problems walking due to his hypermobility and sensory issues plus it's quite a walk to the school. I was trying to compensate for this by booking cabs to get him there and then let him walk home at his own pace after his lessons. But he was too distressed thinking about the walk home to cope with his lessons, not too mention the distress caused by cabs turning up late or getting here early and therefore getting to the school early and having to wait there. Eventually it all proved too much and he had a huge regression, shut down and refused school.
My mum kindly offered to buy me a secondhand Ka so I could get my boy to and from school and generally out and about, as by now he was refusing to leave the house as well. I certainly can't afford a car myself as due to the credit crunch/recession/whatever you want to call it my husband's own company collapsed and we were very short of cash. (Luckily he had found another job but it didn't pay any where near as well as previously). I gladly took mum up on her offer. Sadly it was already too late. I tried so hard each day to help my boy back to school but the anxiety and stress of pretty much going back to square one has taken it's toll and I was only managing to get him in occassionally each week and even then it was a huge struggle with meltdowns and panic attacks. It's so distressing to see him in this state.
A meeting was called at the school and various professionals turned up but no one had a decent suggeston other than I must get him into school more! Hmmmm as if I didn't know and hadn't tried that. The meeting was worse than useless. It was agreed I would keep trying and we would review the situation just before the summer holidays as that would give them chance to think of a solution.
The next meeting arrived and low and behold no improvement and oh yes they had no solution! No extra help or support, nothing! By now the only support we had was a Child Psychiatrist who visited once a quarter to review my boys medication. That's despite the fact that although his diagnosis is Asperger Syndrome (An autistic spectrum disorder) along with hypermobility and sensory processing disorder is techically considered by some quarters to be a mild version of autism, he is actually classed by the local education authority and his psychiatrist to be SEVERE! But there is no Occupational Therapy input for his sensory and hypermobility problems because there are no resources. If he has their expertise his sensory problems could be helped by their input and therapies. There is no other help from CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) other than to medicate because of no funding despite the fact that someone needs to help him with his anxieties and fears as to why he can't cope at school, even though he WANTS to go. As for the school the SENCo offered to visit him at home to talk it over but when the came all they did was say you must attend! Not much help there then.
So it was decided to meet again in the new school year in the hope that maybe with it being a new school year things would improve!?
September came and he managed to attend his lunch club for the 1st 3 days at which point he was given a timetable with only one accessible lesson next to a lunch club slot, the rest of the lessons were all over the place which would mean going back and forth a few times each day, which considering he was struggling with just once a day, was ridiculous. Not suprisingly he just couldn't cope. All weekend he was extremely distressed and only managed to go in for one day the next week for a lunch club. He agreed to go in the following week for a lunch club and a lesson but just couldn't do it. He started to refuse from then on in. It was so frustrating as the school had completely gone back on their agreement from the previous year of keeping his lessons next to lunch sessions and he was devastated.
By the time it got to the next meeting I was extremely worried as to what would happen or be suggested. I have to admit it certainly wasn't pleasant as it turned into a blame the parent. So I turned it round and asked exactly what they could all do to help, exactly what support could they provide? Yes you guessed it - the most popular answer was 'ummm, errrr, well, there are no resources/funding (delete as applicable)'. Funnily enough despite the 'no funding' for resources at CAMHS and no help from her corner, the psychiartrist started to push for residential schooling! The lady from the local Education authority looked like she was about to faint at that suggestion as they certainly couldn't afford to pay out for that, so she tried to suggest more help in the way of councelling or other therapy from CAMHS who again said 'not enough staff/funding/resources'. So again they tried the blame the parent tactic at which point the SENCo said 'this is getting nowhere, someone has got to help' and suggested he visit my boy at home with a view to maybe trying a lesson there. Suddenly everyone agreed and it was left at that to be reviewed in the new year. If it wasn't a serious matter of a child's education it would be almost laughable.
To this day I will never know why but in the week after half term we recieved a phone call from the local education authority saying that they had arranged home tuition for my son and I would be contacted shortly!!! I couldn't believe it. This is exactly the break we had been hoping for as I had sought advice from the fantastic IPSEA and had been about to seek a medical letter to say my boy was unable to attend school on medical gounds (goodness knows we had enough detailed medical evidence of anxiety) and therefore they would have been duty bound to provide Home Tuition. For once we had been given something without having to push for it!!!!
My boy now has a fantastic tutor who really understands him and has taken the time to build an excellent rapport with him.
I'll let you know how it's going next time as I can hear my housework calling...
Well, things with my boy went from bad to worse as his stress and anxieties took over again. Everything started to become a bit too much as my husband needed my car as the company van was no longer his to use. This impacted on my boy severely as he has problems walking due to his hypermobility and sensory issues plus it's quite a walk to the school. I was trying to compensate for this by booking cabs to get him there and then let him walk home at his own pace after his lessons. But he was too distressed thinking about the walk home to cope with his lessons, not too mention the distress caused by cabs turning up late or getting here early and therefore getting to the school early and having to wait there. Eventually it all proved too much and he had a huge regression, shut down and refused school.
My mum kindly offered to buy me a secondhand Ka so I could get my boy to and from school and generally out and about, as by now he was refusing to leave the house as well. I certainly can't afford a car myself as due to the credit crunch/recession/whatever you want to call it my husband's own company collapsed and we were very short of cash. (Luckily he had found another job but it didn't pay any where near as well as previously). I gladly took mum up on her offer. Sadly it was already too late. I tried so hard each day to help my boy back to school but the anxiety and stress of pretty much going back to square one has taken it's toll and I was only managing to get him in occassionally each week and even then it was a huge struggle with meltdowns and panic attacks. It's so distressing to see him in this state.
A meeting was called at the school and various professionals turned up but no one had a decent suggeston other than I must get him into school more! Hmmmm as if I didn't know and hadn't tried that. The meeting was worse than useless. It was agreed I would keep trying and we would review the situation just before the summer holidays as that would give them chance to think of a solution.
The next meeting arrived and low and behold no improvement and oh yes they had no solution! No extra help or support, nothing! By now the only support we had was a Child Psychiatrist who visited once a quarter to review my boys medication. That's despite the fact that although his diagnosis is Asperger Syndrome (An autistic spectrum disorder) along with hypermobility and sensory processing disorder is techically considered by some quarters to be a mild version of autism, he is actually classed by the local education authority and his psychiatrist to be SEVERE! But there is no Occupational Therapy input for his sensory and hypermobility problems because there are no resources. If he has their expertise his sensory problems could be helped by their input and therapies. There is no other help from CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) other than to medicate because of no funding despite the fact that someone needs to help him with his anxieties and fears as to why he can't cope at school, even though he WANTS to go. As for the school the SENCo offered to visit him at home to talk it over but when the came all they did was say you must attend! Not much help there then.
So it was decided to meet again in the new school year in the hope that maybe with it being a new school year things would improve!?
September came and he managed to attend his lunch club for the 1st 3 days at which point he was given a timetable with only one accessible lesson next to a lunch club slot, the rest of the lessons were all over the place which would mean going back and forth a few times each day, which considering he was struggling with just once a day, was ridiculous. Not suprisingly he just couldn't cope. All weekend he was extremely distressed and only managed to go in for one day the next week for a lunch club. He agreed to go in the following week for a lunch club and a lesson but just couldn't do it. He started to refuse from then on in. It was so frustrating as the school had completely gone back on their agreement from the previous year of keeping his lessons next to lunch sessions and he was devastated.
By the time it got to the next meeting I was extremely worried as to what would happen or be suggested. I have to admit it certainly wasn't pleasant as it turned into a blame the parent. So I turned it round and asked exactly what they could all do to help, exactly what support could they provide? Yes you guessed it - the most popular answer was 'ummm, errrr, well, there are no resources/funding (delete as applicable)'. Funnily enough despite the 'no funding' for resources at CAMHS and no help from her corner, the psychiartrist started to push for residential schooling! The lady from the local Education authority looked like she was about to faint at that suggestion as they certainly couldn't afford to pay out for that, so she tried to suggest more help in the way of councelling or other therapy from CAMHS who again said 'not enough staff/funding/resources'. So again they tried the blame the parent tactic at which point the SENCo said 'this is getting nowhere, someone has got to help' and suggested he visit my boy at home with a view to maybe trying a lesson there. Suddenly everyone agreed and it was left at that to be reviewed in the new year. If it wasn't a serious matter of a child's education it would be almost laughable.
To this day I will never know why but in the week after half term we recieved a phone call from the local education authority saying that they had arranged home tuition for my son and I would be contacted shortly!!! I couldn't believe it. This is exactly the break we had been hoping for as I had sought advice from the fantastic IPSEA and had been about to seek a medical letter to say my boy was unable to attend school on medical gounds (goodness knows we had enough detailed medical evidence of anxiety) and therefore they would have been duty bound to provide Home Tuition. For once we had been given something without having to push for it!!!!
My boy now has a fantastic tutor who really understands him and has taken the time to build an excellent rapport with him.
I'll let you know how it's going next time as I can hear my housework calling...
Sunday, 16 January 2011
Happy New Year!
We have all had a lovely Christmas and are looking forward to all the promise that a new year brings.
My boy is now started the new school term and has struggled to say the least. I did mention a problem in my last post and we have now got to the crux of the problem. He is not enjoying the maths lessons, much preferring the english lesson. He says that in the english lesson he is able to talk to the other pupils in his group and likes them, but doesn't feel that he has had this chance within his maths lessons. He has agreed to keep one of the Maths lessons as the subject is compulsory but swap the other for another english lesson which will give him the chance to get to know the other group of kids. This should help increase his confidence and from there he will hopefully add that lesson back into his timetable at a later date. I am so pleased that he has been able to think this through himself and state his case sensibly and with great thought to how he feels. A first for him as normally he wouldn't be able to say why he feels this way. It just proves that his medication has helped and given him the basis to keep calm and think rationally. Anxietywise the medication does have an effect but doesn't take it all away as he has still been rather stressed over this. His sleep being the first thing to suffer and so from there, of course, mine too!
The best bit about his decision is that it means his time in school on one day will increase as it means, due to the way the timetable is set, that he will have a maths lesson, lunch club and then his english lesson. Hopefully this will help as we gradually increase his timetable. So even though we have made a side step in changing a lesson for one that he enjoys more, we have also made a step forward in the amount of time spent in school on any one day.
Onwards and upwards! As they say :o)
My boy is now started the new school term and has struggled to say the least. I did mention a problem in my last post and we have now got to the crux of the problem. He is not enjoying the maths lessons, much preferring the english lesson. He says that in the english lesson he is able to talk to the other pupils in his group and likes them, but doesn't feel that he has had this chance within his maths lessons. He has agreed to keep one of the Maths lessons as the subject is compulsory but swap the other for another english lesson which will give him the chance to get to know the other group of kids. This should help increase his confidence and from there he will hopefully add that lesson back into his timetable at a later date. I am so pleased that he has been able to think this through himself and state his case sensibly and with great thought to how he feels. A first for him as normally he wouldn't be able to say why he feels this way. It just proves that his medication has helped and given him the basis to keep calm and think rationally. Anxietywise the medication does have an effect but doesn't take it all away as he has still been rather stressed over this. His sleep being the first thing to suffer and so from there, of course, mine too!
The best bit about his decision is that it means his time in school on one day will increase as it means, due to the way the timetable is set, that he will have a maths lesson, lunch club and then his english lesson. Hopefully this will help as we gradually increase his timetable. So even though we have made a side step in changing a lesson for one that he enjoys more, we have also made a step forward in the amount of time spent in school on any one day.
Onwards and upwards! As they say :o)
Long Time No Post
Well it's been ages since my last post and so much has happened that I thought it was about time I got a wiggle on and brought this blog up to date!
Since the summer holidays my boy settled back to lunch club every day and after the first couple of weeks managed to do a lesson with other kids in the class. This was to be weekly. A couple of weeks more and he asked to add another lesson to his timetable. Making good progress and gradually becoming more confident in class by contributing to the lesson with his own comments. As he felt more able he then read aloud in class when asked. I am so pleased with his progress. It has been slow but that is how he needs to take it.
After the Autumn half term he again agreed to add another lesson. Then we hit a bit of a wall. He has found the two maths lessons on his timetable a bit of a struggle and it took us a while to work out why. Before we could get to the bottom of it he was rather poorly, which took a week for him to get over. He went back into school on the Monday only to be off the rest of the week as the school closed due to a very heavy snowfall which increased as the week passed. Great fun for the kids! It did have a very adverse effect on my boy though as we lost the consistant routine that he really needs. He struggled to get back into the swing of things the following week and did refuse on odd days but when it came to the finak week before the Christmas holidays he did manage every day!
Overall fantastic progress has been made this year, especially considering that in January we could barely mention school without him getting very distressed. Now he goes in most days for lunch club and has added in three lessons each week within a small group of children. And all this within a large mainstream school.
I am one very proud mum and so incredibly grateful to the patience and hard work of the school SENCo and staff of the supportive education department. Without their hard work and gentle encouragement my boy would never of had the confidence to make this progress. He has even admitted that he does trust them to want to help him with his best interests at heart. He also trusts them to do the right thing for him. This from a child (Ok teenager, because he turned 13 this year) who up until now trusted no one within education after his previous experiences. All in all a good year!
Since the summer holidays my boy settled back to lunch club every day and after the first couple of weeks managed to do a lesson with other kids in the class. This was to be weekly. A couple of weeks more and he asked to add another lesson to his timetable. Making good progress and gradually becoming more confident in class by contributing to the lesson with his own comments. As he felt more able he then read aloud in class when asked. I am so pleased with his progress. It has been slow but that is how he needs to take it.
After the Autumn half term he again agreed to add another lesson. Then we hit a bit of a wall. He has found the two maths lessons on his timetable a bit of a struggle and it took us a while to work out why. Before we could get to the bottom of it he was rather poorly, which took a week for him to get over. He went back into school on the Monday only to be off the rest of the week as the school closed due to a very heavy snowfall which increased as the week passed. Great fun for the kids! It did have a very adverse effect on my boy though as we lost the consistant routine that he really needs. He struggled to get back into the swing of things the following week and did refuse on odd days but when it came to the finak week before the Christmas holidays he did manage every day!
Overall fantastic progress has been made this year, especially considering that in January we could barely mention school without him getting very distressed. Now he goes in most days for lunch club and has added in three lessons each week within a small group of children. And all this within a large mainstream school.
I am one very proud mum and so incredibly grateful to the patience and hard work of the school SENCo and staff of the supportive education department. Without their hard work and gentle encouragement my boy would never of had the confidence to make this progress. He has even admitted that he does trust them to want to help him with his best interests at heart. He also trusts them to do the right thing for him. This from a child (Ok teenager, because he turned 13 this year) who up until now trusted no one within education after his previous experiences. All in all a good year!
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
Lunch Club and Beyond
Just before Easter my boy took the brave step of going to the Lunch Club. I stayed with him the first time but I think I need not have been there as he loved it! He had a crowd of kids round him from the start. Over Easter he got a bit of a cold and was hoping it would be gone before the new school term as he wanted to go again! When the new term started he asked if he could go extra days and now will after half term will be going every day.
My boys annual review took place shortly after the new term and it was a really good meeting. The Home Tuition idea has been firmly thrown out the window as everyone felt that they seemed to do more damage than good. We still don't have a teaching assistant but that doesn't seem to be a problem as the SEN Head of year is happy to teach him one to one for the moment. They are all incredibly pleased with my boy and the progress he is making. The funding for a scribe and laptop have been found so that the work he will be set will be easier for him to complete.
He has now done a couple of lessons after lunch club. two maths and one english lesson and had no problem with the work he was given. I no longer stay for lunch club and am moving away from the lessons as well. The number of lessons each week will be slowly increased and he will be introduced to a small group of other SEN kids for his lessons to get him used to being in a class with others. The TA will also be found that will work with him to make sure he is ok and understands the work.
The best bit is that he is walking to and from the school. My husbands van engine ceased so he is currently using my car. In the past this would have meant that my boy would have refused to go to the school but he enjoys being there so much that he is willing to walk there. This is a huge breakthrough as he hasn't really bothered to walk anywhere for two years. It's also helping to lose some weight. It is a pain not having transport but has been a blessing in disguise for my son.
All in all things have come a long way since January and I am so pleased that it's still moving in the right direction. Some of the leaps he has made have been amazing for him and his confidence is getting so much better : )
My boys annual review took place shortly after the new term and it was a really good meeting. The Home Tuition idea has been firmly thrown out the window as everyone felt that they seemed to do more damage than good. We still don't have a teaching assistant but that doesn't seem to be a problem as the SEN Head of year is happy to teach him one to one for the moment. They are all incredibly pleased with my boy and the progress he is making. The funding for a scribe and laptop have been found so that the work he will be set will be easier for him to complete.
He has now done a couple of lessons after lunch club. two maths and one english lesson and had no problem with the work he was given. I no longer stay for lunch club and am moving away from the lessons as well. The number of lessons each week will be slowly increased and he will be introduced to a small group of other SEN kids for his lessons to get him used to being in a class with others. The TA will also be found that will work with him to make sure he is ok and understands the work.
The best bit is that he is walking to and from the school. My husbands van engine ceased so he is currently using my car. In the past this would have meant that my boy would have refused to go to the school but he enjoys being there so much that he is willing to walk there. This is a huge breakthrough as he hasn't really bothered to walk anywhere for two years. It's also helping to lose some weight. It is a pain not having transport but has been a blessing in disguise for my son.
All in all things have come a long way since January and I am so pleased that it's still moving in the right direction. Some of the leaps he has made have been amazing for him and his confidence is getting so much better : )
Saturday, 27 March 2010
Making Progress
My boy is going from strength to strength. He is being more helpful around the house, has stopped using his night light, does more for himself and is increasingly more sociable. He is gaining confidence all the time. It is wonderful to see.
With regards to school, he is visiting every Friday after school. At first he found it very hard and struggled to even talk to the teachers, but now he is quite happy to hold a conversation. He has completed a computer game with them and this week even did a reading test with a completely new teacher. The test was to gauge his reading level and I am pleased to say he is off the scale! He has also been writing a walkthrough for one of his Nintendo DS games on the laptop at home as a way of introducing him to doing some work. They were very impressed with how it had been written! They teacher that has been slowly getting to know him these last few weeks is amazed at the change in him and the amount of progress he is making.
The next step is to get him in for a lunch club session to meet some of the other pupils. He is going to take in his Nintendo DS for this as it will give him a way of relating to the others and for them to start a conversation with him. Fingers crossed it all goes well as it will be a good lead into getting back in to school and making some new friends.
After the Easter holidays the plan is to bring the Home tuition service back in to start him off on lessons within the SEN building at the school but after the normal school day and then gradually move it within the school timetable. Hopefully a new teaching assistant will be brought on board as well as he will need to get to know them before they begin to reintergrate him to the school properly.
I'm so proud that he is making these slow but sure steps forward. It feels like it has been a long time coming and everything has been against us up til now. However looking back I can now see that it was necessary for my boy to have this time to process what has been happening and get used to the idea. It has also allowed him to do things at his own pace and given him confidence in his own abilities to cope with what we are asking of him.
One very proud and happy mum!
With regards to school, he is visiting every Friday after school. At first he found it very hard and struggled to even talk to the teachers, but now he is quite happy to hold a conversation. He has completed a computer game with them and this week even did a reading test with a completely new teacher. The test was to gauge his reading level and I am pleased to say he is off the scale! He has also been writing a walkthrough for one of his Nintendo DS games on the laptop at home as a way of introducing him to doing some work. They were very impressed with how it had been written! They teacher that has been slowly getting to know him these last few weeks is amazed at the change in him and the amount of progress he is making.
The next step is to get him in for a lunch club session to meet some of the other pupils. He is going to take in his Nintendo DS for this as it will give him a way of relating to the others and for them to start a conversation with him. Fingers crossed it all goes well as it will be a good lead into getting back in to school and making some new friends.
After the Easter holidays the plan is to bring the Home tuition service back in to start him off on lessons within the SEN building at the school but after the normal school day and then gradually move it within the school timetable. Hopefully a new teaching assistant will be brought on board as well as he will need to get to know them before they begin to reintergrate him to the school properly.
I'm so proud that he is making these slow but sure steps forward. It feels like it has been a long time coming and everything has been against us up til now. However looking back I can now see that it was necessary for my boy to have this time to process what has been happening and get used to the idea. It has also allowed him to do things at his own pace and given him confidence in his own abilities to cope with what we are asking of him.
One very proud and happy mum!
Thursday, 28 January 2010
New Year, New Start
Well January has almost gone already, and I'm getting used to being unemployed. Having said that it still feels like a holiday so far although I am missing my payday.
We all had a fantastic Christmas and my boy coped very well. He loved the snow but was unable to go out and enjoy it as he was full of cold. However, he had great fun watching the snow fall. I ended up being ill with a cold and then an upset tummy so I was out of action for the first 3 weeks of January, my boy hated it. He was very gentle and loving though and I had lots of kisses and cuddles and 'I love you' s. He did keep asking when I would be well again as he didn't like me ill. It did give me an enforced rest, no bad thing really, I rhink my body was trying to tell me I had been doing too much.
Luckily I was better in time to go away for the weekend, with my sister in law, to Cardiff. We were so lucky with the weather. As we crossed the Severn Bridge into Wales the sun came out and stayed with us for the whole weekend. We spent the first day shopping, had a very relaxed lunch in Prezzo and then went to see John Barrowman in Robin Hood in the evening. He was fantastic and it was so funny. I love a good pantomime. The next day after a cooked breakfast we headed off to the Cardiff Bay area. It was lovely with the sun shining over the sea. We had a wander around the sea front, had a look at the water fountain and Millenium Centre, then headed over to the Doctor Who exhibition. Fantastic fun!
Then it was time for a quick coffee in Starbucks before we headed home.
I was so pleased when I got home as my boy had coped with me being away really well. It was the first time I've managed to be away overnight for about 4 years. He hates it. Last time I was away my husband was exhausted as he wouldn't go to sleep and he had to wait until he dropped of mid sentence at about 3 in the morning. This time he went to sleep at 1am having turned off the light himself and just settled down. I was so proud. His meds are definately making a difference.
My boy no longer has to be on the laptop all day and shares it with the rest of us now. No more Disney Channel all day either, we can watch whatever we want. things are so much better. He goes out now as well. Not everyday, but a few times each week. It's such an improvement.
As for School, wel he managed to get into the classroom last week. It is the first time in 2yrs. Alright it was after school hours and the room was empty, but he did it! It's slow progress but for the moment it's going in the right direction.
We all had a fantastic Christmas and my boy coped very well. He loved the snow but was unable to go out and enjoy it as he was full of cold. However, he had great fun watching the snow fall. I ended up being ill with a cold and then an upset tummy so I was out of action for the first 3 weeks of January, my boy hated it. He was very gentle and loving though and I had lots of kisses and cuddles and 'I love you' s. He did keep asking when I would be well again as he didn't like me ill. It did give me an enforced rest, no bad thing really, I rhink my body was trying to tell me I had been doing too much.
Luckily I was better in time to go away for the weekend, with my sister in law, to Cardiff. We were so lucky with the weather. As we crossed the Severn Bridge into Wales the sun came out and stayed with us for the whole weekend. We spent the first day shopping, had a very relaxed lunch in Prezzo and then went to see John Barrowman in Robin Hood in the evening. He was fantastic and it was so funny. I love a good pantomime. The next day after a cooked breakfast we headed off to the Cardiff Bay area. It was lovely with the sun shining over the sea. We had a wander around the sea front, had a look at the water fountain and Millenium Centre, then headed over to the Doctor Who exhibition. Fantastic fun!
Then it was time for a quick coffee in Starbucks before we headed home.
I was so pleased when I got home as my boy had coped with me being away really well. It was the first time I've managed to be away overnight for about 4 years. He hates it. Last time I was away my husband was exhausted as he wouldn't go to sleep and he had to wait until he dropped of mid sentence at about 3 in the morning. This time he went to sleep at 1am having turned off the light himself and just settled down. I was so proud. His meds are definately making a difference.
My boy no longer has to be on the laptop all day and shares it with the rest of us now. No more Disney Channel all day either, we can watch whatever we want. things are so much better. He goes out now as well. Not everyday, but a few times each week. It's such an improvement.
As for School, wel he managed to get into the classroom last week. It is the first time in 2yrs. Alright it was after school hours and the room was empty, but he did it! It's slow progress but for the moment it's going in the right direction.
Sunday, 13 December 2009
Getting Back to Normal
Slowly but surely things are getting back to normal now. The meds are clearly working and he isn't so bothered by sensory input. I can now wash his bedding without fear of a bad night as the bedding 'doesn't feel right' or is 'too scratchy'. He is managing to visit the library every week as well. Sadly his teaching assistant is still poorly and unable to meet him so we have been seeing the head of the school's support dept. She has started to send him emails about what is happening in school and photos of the school itself to help with transition work. Hopefully at the next multi professional meeting we will know more about how his TA is and whether she will be able to return to work. If not how long til a replacement is found so that my boy can start building a proper relationship with them. All this is holding everything up at the moment but it is giving him chance to get used to going out again on a regular basis.
Christmas is nearly here and all preparations have been completed. My boy doesn't seem overly bothered this year although he is loving the chocolate advent calendar. There isn't very much on his wish list, but that's no bad thing as I have now given up work, due to my parents being unable to help out anymore. Money is tight, but I'm sure we'll manage. (Fingers crossed).
Have a good Christmas everyone. Love, happiness and peace to all. xxx
Christmas is nearly here and all preparations have been completed. My boy doesn't seem overly bothered this year although he is loving the chocolate advent calendar. There isn't very much on his wish list, but that's no bad thing as I have now given up work, due to my parents being unable to help out anymore. Money is tight, but I'm sure we'll manage. (Fingers crossed).
Have a good Christmas everyone. Love, happiness and peace to all. xxx
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
A Rollercoaster Ride
Well the last few weeks have been a bit of a rollercoaster ride since the passing of our beloved cat, Harley. It was such a devastating loss for our boy that he just fell apart under the weight of his grief.
He was staying awake for 24hrs, then sleeping for 12hrs. He wouldn't leave his room. Refused to get dressed, do his lessons, barely ate. He was so angry and just didn't know how to deal with it. Luckily he didn't become violent, just depressed, which wasn't good but better than hitting us or harming himself.
It has taken a good 6 weeks for him to get through this. We tried everything. Looking at old photos of the cat and talking about the daft things she used to do. These seemed to help. But by far and away the best thing was the sleeping cat memorial stone we ordered for her grave. It is beautiful. Black with gold flecks. My boy decided it was far to good for the garden so it is now on the hearth in front of the fireplace and I have to admit it looks just perfect there. As if it should always have been in that exact spot. We have now picked out another stone for the garden as we don't want her grave to be bare. Since the stone cat arrived he's been much calmer and started to get back to normal. The addition of medication has helped.
'Due to his behaviour' (the exact wording from head of home tuition dept) his home tutors have been withdrawn because he wasn't engaging in the lessons. She didn't seem to understand that he is a child trying to grieve that doesn't know how to interpret his emotions, or how great a loss this was for him. To her it was only a cat, to my boy our cat was his closest friend, who only ever gave comfort and never judged. She was there at the end of his bed waiting to greet him every morning when he awoke, sat with him being stroked and helping him to remain calm with her relaxing purr during lessons, and snuggled up to him as he drifted off to sleep every night. However this head of dept could only see a naughty child who refused lessons. The tutors were withdrawn just as he was beginning to make an effort to take part again. He'd even nearly managed the full hour of his lesson but that wasn't good enough. When I told him what had happened he was very upset and quite angry as he'd tried so hard to get back into his learning. It was totally demoralising. He just couldn't understand it. So yet again he is without an education.
There was a meeting at his new school this week and I am pleased to say that his new SENCo was fantastic, as was his Psychologist. They supported everything that I said concerning his grief and the need for him to work his way through it. His psychologist even added that due to his autism he is a child with severe problems relating to the processing of emotions along with his social communication difficulties that it is totally understandable that he struggled with how to cope with his grief. They also argued that to 'slap him in the face' by removing his tutor just as he was starting to recover was wrong in the extreme. However, even this hasn't led to his lessons resuming. They want him to start integrating back into the school environment first with his lessons taking place in the local public library which is located within the school premises once he has got used to going there and spending time with his TA. (Fortunately he used to visit the library quite often and has just started doing so again.) Considering the home tuition departments title is 'Integration Support' you would expect them to do this as it is within their remit, but sadly no, they have firmly off loaded my boy onto the school. Playing pass the buck and forgetting the child in the middle of all this.
All is not lost as the school SENCo is so helpful and accommodating. We have put a plan in place and we will action it ourselves, which will mean that the school will have control over this and we can go at my boys pace. I'm fully expecting the anxiety levels to escalate but we will have to see.
The medication he has recently started taking has certainly helped him as he is going out for a short while each day. He even managed a visit to my parents' house, something that hasn't happened in over a year. We are trying to keep up the momentum with his trips out and a having started off with things that he used to like doing we will start to add in new outings each week in an effort to build his confidence. However we will also make sure that he has quiet time to himself that will allow him to process everything and help him to adjust to the new routines within the week. Let's hope this is the start of a more confident child.
He was staying awake for 24hrs, then sleeping for 12hrs. He wouldn't leave his room. Refused to get dressed, do his lessons, barely ate. He was so angry and just didn't know how to deal with it. Luckily he didn't become violent, just depressed, which wasn't good but better than hitting us or harming himself.
It has taken a good 6 weeks for him to get through this. We tried everything. Looking at old photos of the cat and talking about the daft things she used to do. These seemed to help. But by far and away the best thing was the sleeping cat memorial stone we ordered for her grave. It is beautiful. Black with gold flecks. My boy decided it was far to good for the garden so it is now on the hearth in front of the fireplace and I have to admit it looks just perfect there. As if it should always have been in that exact spot. We have now picked out another stone for the garden as we don't want her grave to be bare. Since the stone cat arrived he's been much calmer and started to get back to normal. The addition of medication has helped.
'Due to his behaviour' (the exact wording from head of home tuition dept) his home tutors have been withdrawn because he wasn't engaging in the lessons. She didn't seem to understand that he is a child trying to grieve that doesn't know how to interpret his emotions, or how great a loss this was for him. To her it was only a cat, to my boy our cat was his closest friend, who only ever gave comfort and never judged. She was there at the end of his bed waiting to greet him every morning when he awoke, sat with him being stroked and helping him to remain calm with her relaxing purr during lessons, and snuggled up to him as he drifted off to sleep every night. However this head of dept could only see a naughty child who refused lessons. The tutors were withdrawn just as he was beginning to make an effort to take part again. He'd even nearly managed the full hour of his lesson but that wasn't good enough. When I told him what had happened he was very upset and quite angry as he'd tried so hard to get back into his learning. It was totally demoralising. He just couldn't understand it. So yet again he is without an education.
There was a meeting at his new school this week and I am pleased to say that his new SENCo was fantastic, as was his Psychologist. They supported everything that I said concerning his grief and the need for him to work his way through it. His psychologist even added that due to his autism he is a child with severe problems relating to the processing of emotions along with his social communication difficulties that it is totally understandable that he struggled with how to cope with his grief. They also argued that to 'slap him in the face' by removing his tutor just as he was starting to recover was wrong in the extreme. However, even this hasn't led to his lessons resuming. They want him to start integrating back into the school environment first with his lessons taking place in the local public library which is located within the school premises once he has got used to going there and spending time with his TA. (Fortunately he used to visit the library quite often and has just started doing so again.) Considering the home tuition departments title is 'Integration Support' you would expect them to do this as it is within their remit, but sadly no, they have firmly off loaded my boy onto the school. Playing pass the buck and forgetting the child in the middle of all this.
All is not lost as the school SENCo is so helpful and accommodating. We have put a plan in place and we will action it ourselves, which will mean that the school will have control over this and we can go at my boys pace. I'm fully expecting the anxiety levels to escalate but we will have to see.
The medication he has recently started taking has certainly helped him as he is going out for a short while each day. He even managed a visit to my parents' house, something that hasn't happened in over a year. We are trying to keep up the momentum with his trips out and a having started off with things that he used to like doing we will start to add in new outings each week in an effort to build his confidence. However we will also make sure that he has quiet time to himself that will allow him to process everything and help him to adjust to the new routines within the week. Let's hope this is the start of a more confident child.
Sunday, 20 September 2009
Goodbye Harley
A very sad week.
Our beautiful cat Harley passed away and we all miss her very much. She had lived until the grand old age of 17. Her kidneys gave out in the end and it was felt best that she was put too sleep. I was with her and held her paw as she slowly and gently passed away. The house is just not the same since she died.
It has affected my boy rather badly as he was so very attached to her. They adored each other. They had such a close bond. He has never known a time without her. I knew he wouldn't take it well and was not surprised when the sleep pattern went out the window and he refused his lessons. He is so full of anger at the moment. But as we all know, this is part of the grieving process and he has to be allowed to grieve in his own way. I think he will need a while to get over this.
The only good thing is that, as a set back in his education, at least it is at the beginning of his school year. If this had happened after he had made a really huge amount of progress I think it would have been harder to regain the lost ground. We can hopefully now put this behind us and start moving forward again.
Rest In Peace Harley 1992 - 2009
Our beautiful cat Harley passed away and we all miss her very much. She had lived until the grand old age of 17. Her kidneys gave out in the end and it was felt best that she was put too sleep. I was with her and held her paw as she slowly and gently passed away. The house is just not the same since she died.
It has affected my boy rather badly as he was so very attached to her. They adored each other. They had such a close bond. He has never known a time without her. I knew he wouldn't take it well and was not surprised when the sleep pattern went out the window and he refused his lessons. He is so full of anger at the moment. But as we all know, this is part of the grieving process and he has to be allowed to grieve in his own way. I think he will need a while to get over this.
The only good thing is that, as a set back in his education, at least it is at the beginning of his school year. If this had happened after he had made a really huge amount of progress I think it would have been harder to regain the lost ground. We can hopefully now put this behind us and start moving forward again.
Rest In Peace Harley 1992 - 2009
Monday, 7 September 2009
Sleep....... Please and a New Term
The sleep issue went from bad to worse until my boy was awake all night and not getting up til 3pm in the afternoon. I was feeling permanently exhausted. Desperate times called for desperate measures, especially as the new term was looming. I couldn't get him to sleep any earlier as that is one of his problems, his body doesn't make enough melatonin to get his ready for sleep. Trying to wake him up earlier was a no go as well, it just doesn't work. The only option was left was to keep him awake for longer and push his sleep round that way.
I kept him awake til 10 am the first day with sleep until 6pm.
The next day he was awake til 1.30pm with sleep until 8.30pm.
Then it was 4pm with sleep til 9.30pm.
Then for a finale he stayed awake til 7pm and slept right round til 7.30 am as he was so exhausted.
As for me, well I now know what jet lag feels like!
New term started today and I was a bit worried as to how it would go. I needn't have stressed over it as he settled into his lesson like a dream. I think he's missed the routine of it, although he wouldn't admit it if asked. I just hope that things stay this way. Also the new routine of getting up early and actually having three meals a day has cut down on his snacking on rubbish. He was a pleasure to be around today, he helped to make cakes and even carried my shopping in from the car. I am so proud of all he has achieved today and have told him so. He really enjoyed the praise and I hope this helps to raise his confidence.
Things seem to be on the up at last.
I kept him awake til 10 am the first day with sleep until 6pm.
The next day he was awake til 1.30pm with sleep until 8.30pm.
Then it was 4pm with sleep til 9.30pm.
Then for a finale he stayed awake til 7pm and slept right round til 7.30 am as he was so exhausted.
As for me, well I now know what jet lag feels like!
New term started today and I was a bit worried as to how it would go. I needn't have stressed over it as he settled into his lesson like a dream. I think he's missed the routine of it, although he wouldn't admit it if asked. I just hope that things stay this way. Also the new routine of getting up early and actually having three meals a day has cut down on his snacking on rubbish. He was a pleasure to be around today, he helped to make cakes and even carried my shopping in from the car. I am so proud of all he has achieved today and have told him so. He really enjoyed the praise and I hope this helps to raise his confidence.
Things seem to be on the up at last.
Sunday, 16 August 2009
Back to the Old Routine
Well it's all settling back into the old routine although my boy is still having trouble sleeping. I have seen the early hours every night this week. When I say early hours, I mean 4-5 am. We have even had a 6am. No wonder I feel tired. It's not helped when having been told not to ring early my mother in law thinks 9am is ok and seemed surprised when I wasn't wide awake! Oh well never mind. Mr Cobweb has been working away all week so peace and tranquility has reigned and so has a tidy house. It's much easier when he's away, because if my boy can't sleep I can just go to my room and doze until he's ready to sleep and then pop in and settle him down. But whem Mr C is home I have to stay in with my boy as otherwise it would wake him with me keep wandering in and out, especially as he's a light sleeper and has to be up for work by 5am. Yes, you did read that right, I go to bed as Mr C gets up for work!!
The cat decided to honour me with a present and looked rather pleased with herself a she deposited a bird in front of me. I thanked her profusely thinking it was dead and that I would be able to dispose of it when she wasn't looking, but the bloody thing moved. It was still very much alive! I grabbed it quick before it flew all over the house and then let it loose out the front door. Oh dear, my cat was not impressed and gave me a filthy look before slinking off out the way. You have to be impressed though, my dear cat is 17yrs old, not bad for a geriatric!
When Mr C decided to have a weekend off this week I made the most of it and went out for the day. It was lovely to be alone and out in the sunshine having been pretty much housebound all week. The boy not wanting to go out, apart from a trip to Pizza Hut. I had a really good wander round the town, bliss. It doesn't take much to please me. What did upset me was when I returned home to find that Mr C had done nothing, rubbish was still in the kitchen, washing up unwashed in the sink, the kitchen looking like a tip as he'd cooked himself lunch. Living room a tip with whatever had been used was just left there and worst of all the cat had pee'd on the rug and only a tiny peice of kitchen towel had been put on it to mop it up. Believe me that was piece would'nt be enough to mop up a gnat pee. I couldn't believe that in the space of just a few hours Mr C had pretty much wrecked the whole ground floor and then couldn't even see what he'd done!
Sunday I was given a long lie in and breakfast in bed. I think someone felt guilty. The weather was fantastic again so I decided to mow the lawn before we lost the cat in it. Yes, it was getting that long. Whilst getting that done Mr C cooked dinner! More guilt I think. Still I'm not complaining.
The cat decided to honour me with a present and looked rather pleased with herself a she deposited a bird in front of me. I thanked her profusely thinking it was dead and that I would be able to dispose of it when she wasn't looking, but the bloody thing moved. It was still very much alive! I grabbed it quick before it flew all over the house and then let it loose out the front door. Oh dear, my cat was not impressed and gave me a filthy look before slinking off out the way. You have to be impressed though, my dear cat is 17yrs old, not bad for a geriatric!
When Mr C decided to have a weekend off this week I made the most of it and went out for the day. It was lovely to be alone and out in the sunshine having been pretty much housebound all week. The boy not wanting to go out, apart from a trip to Pizza Hut. I had a really good wander round the town, bliss. It doesn't take much to please me. What did upset me was when I returned home to find that Mr C had done nothing, rubbish was still in the kitchen, washing up unwashed in the sink, the kitchen looking like a tip as he'd cooked himself lunch. Living room a tip with whatever had been used was just left there and worst of all the cat had pee'd on the rug and only a tiny peice of kitchen towel had been put on it to mop it up. Believe me that was piece would'nt be enough to mop up a gnat pee. I couldn't believe that in the space of just a few hours Mr C had pretty much wrecked the whole ground floor and then couldn't even see what he'd done!
Sunday I was given a long lie in and breakfast in bed. I think someone felt guilty. The weather was fantastic again so I decided to mow the lawn before we lost the cat in it. Yes, it was getting that long. Whilst getting that done Mr C cooked dinner! More guilt I think. Still I'm not complaining.
Sunday, 9 August 2009
A Glass of Wine and a Hot Tub Under the Stars
Bliss is a relaxing evening in the hot tub with a glass of wine looking up at the stars. As we were in the countryside the night sky was far more dramatic with a higher number of stars to be seen. A clear night with a bright moon and thousands of stars was a stunning sight to behold. However I have to admit that, most of the time the peace was disturbed by my beautiful boy who was in sensory heaven in the hot tub. The combination of the jets making the water bubble and the colour change lights that looked like they were dancing in the water made him so happy. He loves a colour change light sequence at the best of times but combine that with the water and he was in seventh heaven. I did manage a couple of trips to the hot tub alone but they didn't last long as he soon followed along.
Adjusting to new surroundings was hard for him. The first night was difficult and it took until nearly 4am for him to settle to sleep, along with saying he wanted to go home. We always try to make it easier by taking his own bedding and and colour change light and desk fan to help him but the mattress feels different and we can't avoid that. Once the first night is over he generally begins to settle.
We had a few trips out but due to his not really having left the house, or in fact done much exercise for the previous few months, it was hard work for him. He did his best and ended up walking quite a long way, but the heat of the day is what did the damage. He kept getting very hot, that coupled with tiring easily due to his hypermobility, and he couldn't stay out for long. I was still proud of him though as he tried so hard despite it being distressing for him.
It's lucky he is oblivious to the stares generated by his outbursts, when he gets distressed. I think if he was aware he would only become more upset. As it was his dad walked off because he just couldn't cope with either his outburst or the stares. Luckily I've got thicker skin. He's my boy and it's isn't his fault, he cannot help it and whatever he says to me when he is distressed isn't intended in the way he says it, it's not personal, it's just how he feels at the time and is entirely due to his distress. I was so proud that he had tried as hard as he did. We made sure he had a couple of quiet days in at the cottage. It was a necessity really after being isolated for so long, it meant he would be able to cope with the days out and maybe even enjoy them.
BeWilderwood in Norfolk is a fantastic, magical woodland treat. It has treehouses with rope bridges between them. A woodland adventure park. We love it. It was tough going for my boy but he clambered up to the treehouses along with the rest of us. In fact he lead the way! It was just a shame it was another hot day and he tired quickly. He really enjoyed what he managed to do though. Each day he recovered in the hot tub after our trips out.
He was however looking forward to coming home and decided that on the Thursday night as he couldn't sleep he would start packing his stuff at 4am! It didn't stop him from getting up at 10am the next day. Firday night he was asleep by 2am, hooray I thought, that thought didn't last long though as he was up at 5.45 am sat by the front door with his case ready to load into the car and go home.
Yes, we are now home and very pleased my boy is. He spent a lot of time cuddling the cat when we got back, fortunately she is very accommodating and has just let him. A bad night again though as he has to re adjust to being back in his own bed, although the lack of sleep has been on our side and he fell asleep quite quickly when he finally went up to bed.
Sadly now we are back home a mountain of washing is mine to sort out. Whilst we have been away the cobwebs have returned along with the tumbleweed that is the cats moulted fur. Still I have a week to deal with it and the memories of a good relaxing holiday.
Adjusting to new surroundings was hard for him. The first night was difficult and it took until nearly 4am for him to settle to sleep, along with saying he wanted to go home. We always try to make it easier by taking his own bedding and and colour change light and desk fan to help him but the mattress feels different and we can't avoid that. Once the first night is over he generally begins to settle.
We had a few trips out but due to his not really having left the house, or in fact done much exercise for the previous few months, it was hard work for him. He did his best and ended up walking quite a long way, but the heat of the day is what did the damage. He kept getting very hot, that coupled with tiring easily due to his hypermobility, and he couldn't stay out for long. I was still proud of him though as he tried so hard despite it being distressing for him.
It's lucky he is oblivious to the stares generated by his outbursts, when he gets distressed. I think if he was aware he would only become more upset. As it was his dad walked off because he just couldn't cope with either his outburst or the stares. Luckily I've got thicker skin. He's my boy and it's isn't his fault, he cannot help it and whatever he says to me when he is distressed isn't intended in the way he says it, it's not personal, it's just how he feels at the time and is entirely due to his distress. I was so proud that he had tried as hard as he did. We made sure he had a couple of quiet days in at the cottage. It was a necessity really after being isolated for so long, it meant he would be able to cope with the days out and maybe even enjoy them.
BeWilderwood in Norfolk is a fantastic, magical woodland treat. It has treehouses with rope bridges between them. A woodland adventure park. We love it. It was tough going for my boy but he clambered up to the treehouses along with the rest of us. In fact he lead the way! It was just a shame it was another hot day and he tired quickly. He really enjoyed what he managed to do though. Each day he recovered in the hot tub after our trips out.
He was however looking forward to coming home and decided that on the Thursday night as he couldn't sleep he would start packing his stuff at 4am! It didn't stop him from getting up at 10am the next day. Firday night he was asleep by 2am, hooray I thought, that thought didn't last long though as he was up at 5.45 am sat by the front door with his case ready to load into the car and go home.
Yes, we are now home and very pleased my boy is. He spent a lot of time cuddling the cat when we got back, fortunately she is very accommodating and has just let him. A bad night again though as he has to re adjust to being back in his own bed, although the lack of sleep has been on our side and he fell asleep quite quickly when he finally went up to bed.
Sadly now we are back home a mountain of washing is mine to sort out. Whilst we have been away the cobwebs have returned along with the tumbleweed that is the cats moulted fur. Still I have a week to deal with it and the memories of a good relaxing holiday.
Thursday, 30 July 2009
An Agreement is Reached and the Fun Begins
At last we have reached an agreement with the local education authority, WooHoo, and now have a place at a school with a fantastic SENCO who is enthusiastic and willing to help. They are able to adapt to my boy and take it very slowly and gently. It will all start in September when the will start with outreach at home from the school along with his current tutors. I am so relieved and although I know it will be hard work I am finally feeling rather positive that we will finally be able to ease my boy back into formal education. I can now relax and enjoy the holidays.
We kicked off the holidays in style as my sister arrived to spend the weekend with us. We had planned a visit to the cinema to see the new Harry Potter. My boy prepared for this by watching all the previous 5 films and reading ALL 7 books in the week before we were due to go. He was so excited! We all thoroughly enjoyed the film and jumped out of our skin at one point.
Back at home there was a leisurely evening meal with many glasses of wine and a dvd of Marley and Me. This prompted the need for lots of tissues as it is very sad at the end especially as the wine had made us more sentimental. My poor sister had to sleep on the sofa as my boy wasn't giving up his bed for anyone! She fit the sofa quite well being a bit of a shortarse.
The goodbyes were very tearful next day as she is leaving to live in Spain at the beginning of August and I will be sad to see her go. She will be staring a new life there with her partner and I think they will be staying for good as the business he started there 3 months ago has really taken off.
It has been nice to relax and not worry about getting my boy ready for lessons over the last couple of weeks, although not having that routine has been difficult for him. I think he's finally settling into the holidays, just in time for our annual visit to the cottage in Norfolk that we hire each year. I cannot wait to chill out in the hot tub! We leave for the cottage at the weekend and once I have finished all the frantic packing I shall head off to bed safe in the knowledge that we shall be there soon.
Thursday, 16 July 2009
Nearly the Summer Hols and a Dead Dyson
Decided to have a really good clean through today, get everything up straight before the summer holidays. Unfortunately things didn't quite go to plan. In the middle of cleaning a fur covered landing the Dyson packed up. It was just the fuse, changed it, vacummed a bit, it stopped again. Ok I know when i'm beaten, it's obviously got something very wrong with it. Just got to find a couple of hundred pounds now to replace the bloody thing. Still, I did manage to finish the landing, which was beginning to have more fur than the cat. It's her favourite place to sleep. It's dangerous, you get up in the night to go for a pee, trip over the cat and nearly launch yourself down the stairs. Then on the way back to bed, decide to go downstairs for a drink and she will weave through your legs. I'm sure she's trying to kill us! Far safer to cross your legs, ignore the thirst and go back to sleep.
The boy has had his last tutor session for this academic year. It went rather well. They were studying physics, so decided to test forces. This lead to the fun of making mini parachutes. His design was extremely good. He managed to make one which descended gently whilst carrying a LEGO mini figure. His tutor was most impressed as it was better than hers. It was definately a proud mum moment.
He will be starting his secondary education in September once we have sorted out a school. We are still in negotiations with the local education authority at the moment and if that doesn't work we have a tribunal to got to later in the year. I'm really very worried about his education as although he is extremely bright, he struggles due to his sensory processing disorder, lack of self esteem and anxieties. We'll just have to see what we are offered and if we think he will cope.
Bye for now x
The boy has had his last tutor session for this academic year. It went rather well. They were studying physics, so decided to test forces. This lead to the fun of making mini parachutes. His design was extremely good. He managed to make one which descended gently whilst carrying a LEGO mini figure. His tutor was most impressed as it was better than hers. It was definately a proud mum moment.
He will be starting his secondary education in September once we have sorted out a school. We are still in negotiations with the local education authority at the moment and if that doesn't work we have a tribunal to got to later in the year. I'm really very worried about his education as although he is extremely bright, he struggles due to his sensory processing disorder, lack of self esteem and anxieties. We'll just have to see what we are offered and if we think he will cope.
Bye for now x
Saturday, 11 July 2009
One Grumpy Bump at the Weekend
A long lie in, aaahhhh bliss.
Was expecting a visit from my sister in law and got the cream cakes in ready. Hoping she would arrive with her boys so they could all play together. Sadly it was not to be, no phone call, nothing.
Enter one very pee'd off boy who hates it when things don't happen as planned. It was hard listening to him trying to make sense of his disappointment (mainly swearing and being generally obnoxious). I did try to explain that sometimes things don't always go as expected. It didn't help lighten his mood and he was a real grumpy bump for the most of the day.
He eventually decided to take his anger out by playing Smash Bros Brawl on the Wii. It really did seem to help. Not bad really, considering a few months ago he'd probably thrown a humdinger of a tantrum. You have to be grateful for the small mercy's in life.
Was expecting a visit from my sister in law and got the cream cakes in ready. Hoping she would arrive with her boys so they could all play together. Sadly it was not to be, no phone call, nothing.
Enter one very pee'd off boy who hates it when things don't happen as planned. It was hard listening to him trying to make sense of his disappointment (mainly swearing and being generally obnoxious). I did try to explain that sometimes things don't always go as expected. It didn't help lighten his mood and he was a real grumpy bump for the most of the day.
He eventually decided to take his anger out by playing Smash Bros Brawl on the Wii. It really did seem to help. Not bad really, considering a few months ago he'd probably thrown a humdinger of a tantrum. You have to be grateful for the small mercy's in life.
The morning after Torchwood - Children of Earth Finale
I have never seen a tv progamme that left me so wrung out after it had finished. It was a stunning, utterly devastating and wholly gripping piece of drama. To everyone who thought John Barrowman could only play himself it showed what a high calibre actor he really is. The writers and actors of this edge of your seat, 5 day rollercoaster ride should be justifiably proud of what they achieved.
Thursday, 9 July 2009
Always wanted to do this
Well that's it I've finally done it. I've started a blog. Can't promise I'll update it everyday as life here can be exhausting to say the very least.
This a blog of work, housework and a special child, my boy, who has Asperger syndrome. I am using it as a way of helping me survive each day, celebrating triumphs and letting others see the reality of life with a special boy. My boy. Whom I love more than life itself.
It's not always easy living in our house, but you have to take the rough with the smooth. It is worth it for all the good bit's. A smile, a hug, being told those three words and seeing him progress, to succeed and overcome previously insurmountable difficulties.
Bye for now x
This a blog of work, housework and a special child, my boy, who has Asperger syndrome. I am using it as a way of helping me survive each day, celebrating triumphs and letting others see the reality of life with a special boy. My boy. Whom I love more than life itself.
It's not always easy living in our house, but you have to take the rough with the smooth. It is worth it for all the good bit's. A smile, a hug, being told those three words and seeing him progress, to succeed and overcome previously insurmountable difficulties.
Bye for now x
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