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Help at school

Posted , 3 users are following.

googlegina
googlegina

Hi, our 6 yr old daughter was diognosed last October with Perthes and she is still the the early stages of the femur bone crumbling. She currently uses a wheelchair occasionally, for long distances or shopping trips and has crutches that she uses daily.

I would welcome any advice regarding the level of help I should expect from my daughters school as whilst they have been very helpful in some ways I'm not sure if they fully appreciate the importance of her using the crutches, especially at break/lunch times where she is left to her own devises and she usually ends up letting the other kids use her crutches to play with! I have also seen her returning from a school trip where the last part of the journey has to be on foot due to lack of coach access to the school, where she is struggling to keep up with everyone on her crutches and no allowances seemed to be made for this.

Has anyone heard of parents applying for a SEN for their child to ensure proper care at school? Also I have recently received a letter from the school sent on behalf of the education welfare officer, as on her last visit to the school she showed concern regarding my daughters absences from school - however the tone of the letter seemed to be for me to 'prove' my daughters condition by getting the GP/consultant to verify it! I mention this as there is another child in my daughters class with a physical disability whose parents have never been asked to 'prove' his frequent absences from school - this child does have a SEN though, so I did wonder if this was why they are treated differently?

Any advice that can be given would be gratefully received!!

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • PiperP
    PiperP

    Posted

    Hi, not in the UK, but Ireland. We got a letter from the consultant for the school of our 6yr old son. Saying something along the lines of...he will be a long term patient, and will have regular absences from school. To contact his office for any queries. Etc. You could ask for a meeting with whomever is asking about it. Its a good opportunity to make someone else aware gain another contact in the school.

    Whats a SEN?

    We've had a chat with his teacher a few times about his use of crutches and bascially to keep an eye on him if hes struggling. As he avoids using the crutches if possible. Also that mixing might be an issue as he can't keep up in running games, so to be aware to put him with different kids in class so he gets a chance to mix more.

    Only problem is in the yard, you get random teachers that might not be aware of it. So far its not been a major issue though.

  • PiperP
    PiperP

    Posted

    Our son is 6 and diagnosed last jan, so quite similar to yourselves.
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Hi I am a teacher and my son also has Perthes disease. I was lucky enough to be able to taech him whilst he was in his wheelchair but can appreciate fully the concerns you have having an inside view so to speak.

    I would say that regular discussions with your child's teacher are vital. Also that you speak to the Head and the Special Needs co-ordinator at the school. It is ultimately their role to ensure that all children with special needs ( not just those with a learning disability) are catered for.

    All schools should have an Inclusion Policy so your child should still be doing PE and all activities with everyone else. I found lunchtimes hardest with my son as he hated being left out of games-especially football. The class teacher should be sensitive to this and perhaps a rota of special friends organised to keep your child company.

    Hope this helps. smile

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