A good day

It's been a good day all round today:-)

Mstr A got smiley faces on every single one of his targets - earning himself a certificate from the head teacher. He also played with other children from his class during break, and attended to his swimmig lesson this evening.

Yay Mstr A!!!

I think the talk we had with his teacher last Friday has really paid off. I went in armed with loads of Asperger info. I admitted that we were totally jumping the gun as he hasn't been diagnosed yet, but then proceeded to drop in the fact that my Psych Ed sister had done some intensive study of his behaviour, and agreed with my mother's intuition diagnosis. And anyway, the techniques work, so who cares whether we have the word or not? Teacher was great - she has been since I first spoke to her, but she's just one person in the school - and most problems were with other staff. since our talk last week I have recieved two phone calls from the head to discuss Mstr A, and the way forward, and to ensure me of his support, and Mstr A has been much happier with changes and his place at school.

I only asked for small changes - things like allowing him to line up behind the same person every day - even if it means pushing in. And physical contact to get his attention rather than just calling his name (He's hyposensitive to sound - wierd huh?). And letting him know of any changes to his expected routine in advance (such as when a substitute teacher is coming in - I mean, that's scary for any 5 year old!). But it seems to have really done the trick.

Of course, it could have been the fact that I also mentioned that I had considered moving schools! Or that I insisted ALL staff were made aware of these requests, not just his class teacher - as most of is problems arose in the playground/during service when other teachers/staff would tell him off. Whatever. i'm happy:-)

As for the rest of us..... We went off to a book making session this afternoon. It was a sure start thing, so i was a bit concerned it might be full of the great unwashed, but in fact it was mostly "normal" non-working mums, who wanted the best for their kids & were willing to learn what the best might be, but didn't have enough money to go to all those expensive things like montessori schools, music for pre-schoolers and brain gyms for babies. Just like me then!

Well, not really, since I TOTALLY threw the organiser when she came round asking what other seminar's/training we would like. "What level of qualification do you have?" she tentively queried. "I have a degree - well two really, and some vocational qualifications of the same level".
"Oh. Ah. That could be a problem. We're only allowed to do things with people who have less than a level 2 (GCSE/high school leaving age) qualifications"

Ahhh, of course, because my English degree covered ALL about good childcare, developmental stages and opportunities available for children! How stupid is that?

No problem though, she just suggested i "forget" to fill out that bit of the form - she wasn't going to check. Huh! Anyway, she then asked if there was anything I would quite like to do, and made a few suggestions: Healthy cooking, first aid, that kind of thing. Never one to turn down the chance for some child free learning I obviously said yes, whatever they are doing, but not first aid , as i teach it.

"Ooooooooooo really? we're desperately short of tutors. Would you think about......?"

Damn yes! Have a leaflet. tell me where to sign up. Discounts available for block bookings. Gimme gimme gimme some money:-)

OK the day was a success because LMB had a lovely time "doing sticking", LMD loved puching her walker around a great big hall & I found two new play sessions to attend each week. But if I get some work out of it is would have been worthwhile going even if they ahd hated it:-)

As for Aggie - he's signed off work ATM, waiting to go into hospital for his psorisis again:-) It's so bad now that he cant relly sit, type or move around much at all without a lot of pain, a shower of dead skin and bleeding:-( But on the plus side it seems pretty certain he should get the new biologic drugs when he gets out:-) I hope they work!