My son is now getting help with dressing at school!
Yesterday he managed to button up his shirt by himself except for the top button. I was so proud!
My friend said that some stores, like M &S do school tops with a velcro top button, so I will be looking out for these on my next shop. I know a lot of kids struggle with the top shirt button, so I think it is a great idea, especially for autistic kids.
Friday, 21 September 2012
Roller Skates!
When my son was very young, he was quite clumsy. He used to trip over his own feet a lot and it is not uncommon for kids on the autistic spectrum to have problems with gross motor skills.
Lately, however, he has come on leaps and bounds. A few months ago he mastered riding his bike without stabilisers and most days he is out whizzing around on his scooter.
His latest thing is roller skates. I bought him a pair and he loves them. He wore them all day after school, yesterday and we had trouble getting him to come in and take them off.
When you have a child with autism, every milestone conquered is a big celebration! He now has way more co-ordination than me. I am terrible at skating and can't ride a bike.
Lately, however, he has come on leaps and bounds. A few months ago he mastered riding his bike without stabilisers and most days he is out whizzing around on his scooter.
His latest thing is roller skates. I bought him a pair and he loves them. He wore them all day after school, yesterday and we had trouble getting him to come in and take them off.
When you have a child with autism, every milestone conquered is a big celebration! He now has way more co-ordination than me. I am terrible at skating and can't ride a bike.
Friday, 14 September 2012
Getting Dressed at School Part 2
Today, the teacher ran to meet me looking quite agitated. She had heard from another member of staff about what happened yesterday and assured me it would not happen again. I produced a letter I had written detailing the events that took place and asked her to pass it on to the SENCO and headteacher.
At home time I ran into the SENCO and asked her if she had seen the letter. She had not, and was not aware of what had happened yesterday, so I filled her in. I am a little worried that my letter may have been "lost", but was savvy enough to keep a copy on my computer. On my way out of the gate, I bumped into another mom of an autistic child who informed me that she was upset too because today her child had managed to escape from the classroom unnoticed.
My feelings towards the school are none too positive at the moment...
At home time I ran into the SENCO and asked her if she had seen the letter. She had not, and was not aware of what had happened yesterday, so I filled her in. I am a little worried that my letter may have been "lost", but was savvy enough to keep a copy on my computer. On my way out of the gate, I bumped into another mom of an autistic child who informed me that she was upset too because today her child had managed to escape from the classroom unnoticed.
My feelings towards the school are none too positive at the moment...
Thursday, 13 September 2012
Getting Dressed at School
A while ago, I expressed my concern about the new school uniform rules, in particular, the shirt that my son would have to wear. He has poor fine motor skills and is unable to fasten and unfasten buttons.
I had told his new teacher that he would need help getting changed.
They had P.E. for the first time today. Unfortunately, they had a supply teacher who did not know my son had problems getting dressed. She left him alone in the class to change and he got really upset. At home time, I came to collect him and he came out with his shirt unbuttoned and his jumper twisted around one arm. His tie and P.E. bag were missing.
I managed to get him dressed but was appalled that the school had left him in this state.
I have written a detailed letter about this to the school explaining that I do not want this to happen again.
I had told his new teacher that he would need help getting changed.
They had P.E. for the first time today. Unfortunately, they had a supply teacher who did not know my son had problems getting dressed. She left him alone in the class to change and he got really upset. At home time, I came to collect him and he came out with his shirt unbuttoned and his jumper twisted around one arm. His tie and P.E. bag were missing.
I managed to get him dressed but was appalled that the school had left him in this state.
I have written a detailed letter about this to the school explaining that I do not want this to happen again.
Monday, 3 September 2012
Paralympic Games
We were watching the Paralympic games on TV because my husband and oldest son were in the crowd watching the 100m finals.
I had explained to my little boy that his dad and brother were there when we saw the stadium on TV.
One segment of the show featured an interview with Oscar Pistorious. I explained that he was a really fast runner.
"But is dad fast too?" he replied.
At that point I realised that he thought that his dad and brother were actually competing in the games, rather than being spectators.
I don't think he would have batted an eyelid if his dad and brother appeared on screen racing against Oscar and the other runners!
I had explained to my little boy that his dad and brother were there when we saw the stadium on TV.
One segment of the show featured an interview with Oscar Pistorious. I explained that he was a really fast runner.
"But is dad fast too?" he replied.
At that point I realised that he thought that his dad and brother were actually competing in the games, rather than being spectators.
I don't think he would have batted an eyelid if his dad and brother appeared on screen racing against Oscar and the other runners!
Saturday, 1 September 2012
Visiting Alton Towers
Yesterday we used our Merlin's magic wand tickets for Alton Towers.
The tickets got us into the park for free and I also managed to get a special access wristband from guest services that allowed my son to access the rides via the exit.
I did notice that quite a few people had the bands on, which meant that sometimes the disabled queue was quite long!
Some rides did not allow use of the band, namely the Skyride and the kiddie driving school.
When we were walking to the park from the car park, my son was having a strop and some people were staring at him
"Mom!!!! Those STUPID, FAT, UGLY, IDIOT people are staring at me and laughing!" he bellowed, pointing at the family behind us.
And a fun day was had by all......
The tickets got us into the park for free and I also managed to get a special access wristband from guest services that allowed my son to access the rides via the exit.
I did notice that quite a few people had the bands on, which meant that sometimes the disabled queue was quite long!
Some rides did not allow use of the band, namely the Skyride and the kiddie driving school.
When we were walking to the park from the car park, my son was having a strop and some people were staring at him
"Mom!!!! Those STUPID, FAT, UGLY, IDIOT people are staring at me and laughing!" he bellowed, pointing at the family behind us.
And a fun day was had by all......
Wednesday, 29 August 2012
Blackpool E Wristband
We went to Blackpool yesterday. Following our success at Chessington with the special wristbands, I decided to try the same at Blackpool. Reading the terms and conditions of their website, I saw that they will only issue a special wristband if you take in proof of the child's condition from an official source, such as a doctor. The letter also has to state why the child would have trouble queueing. DLA letters are not classed as proof.
Luckily, I had a detailed assessment letter from an occupational therapist who had been dealing with my son, which explained that he has a short attention span and can get agitated and aggressive. I showed this at the ticket office and they issued him with an "E" wristband, which is an exit pass, meaning that he can access all the rides from the ride exit and get on straight away.
The band is limited in that they will only allow one carer on the ride with the child. As there are 5 of us in the family, we had to take it in turns to ride with him, so we all got a fair chance at the rides. It worked out well, though, and he got to ride pretty much everything!
I think it is a shame that information about these bands are so "hush-hush". Blackpool pleasure beach certainly do not advertise the fact that these bands are available and this means that many families with disabled kids will not even know that this provision exists.
Well they do now.....!
Luckily, I had a detailed assessment letter from an occupational therapist who had been dealing with my son, which explained that he has a short attention span and can get agitated and aggressive. I showed this at the ticket office and they issued him with an "E" wristband, which is an exit pass, meaning that he can access all the rides from the ride exit and get on straight away.
The band is limited in that they will only allow one carer on the ride with the child. As there are 5 of us in the family, we had to take it in turns to ride with him, so we all got a fair chance at the rides. It worked out well, though, and he got to ride pretty much everything!
I think it is a shame that information about these bands are so "hush-hush". Blackpool pleasure beach certainly do not advertise the fact that these bands are available and this means that many families with disabled kids will not even know that this provision exists.
Well they do now.....!
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