Ceribralpalsy and secondry school

Letty

Hi, what are peoples thoughts on secondary school? we are waiting to hear what school place Athena gets we have requested a specialist physical disability school Called fountaindale. this is after mainstream nursery and primary with top stream abilities in written English, she has speech and mobility difficulties caused by her Ataxic cerebralPalsy Athena has decided to be around disabled pears now despite her friends going to other schools.

abstractLucas

Personally I'd feel really torn - I think (and I don't mean for this to be upsetting or annoying) people think at a special school your child will get everything they need - the physio, the OT, the SALT, the equipment etc, but my experience is that that isn't necessarily the case, and you still have to fight very hard for everything.  My situation is very different though, as my child has severe learning difficulties as well as health stuff and physical issues.  If you feel the school will be a good fit for her, and be able to challenge her academically as well as cater for her physical needs - well, you know her best!  I would say it is probably a good idea for her to try and maintain the friendships she's built up so far even if she goes to a different school than most of them - maybe out of school activities like scouts or something? - so that she doesn't lose that shared history she has with those friends. Even if that means a lot of chasing around for you for gherkins time being taking her places and picking her up and dropping her off.  Has she had the chance to visit the school herself?  I wonder if she's made the choice she has because she feels a bit like the odd one out in mainstream,  whereas at this other school she wouldn't feel out of place?  I'm only guessing obviously, but that's the kind of thing I'd be thinking about if I were you. (And of course I'm not saying she is the odd one out, just that young people her age can feel like that sometimes).
When do you hear whether she's getting a place?  
Lucas

Letty

Hi! she has been on the school visits, and you are right she would like to be in a class with others like herself for a change.
I feel like excepting her choice of specialist schools has made me start coming to terms with her limits, I thought I had already done this. we have spent many years pushing her progress and now its like she is saying I am ok with where I am I just want to be where I am with others like me and enjoy learning and growing at my own pace.
 I agree the friendships she has will be worth the effort to maintain. I am not sure when we find out. Waiting to hear seems nearly as stressful as making the choice in the first place. I do like her school choice a lot, and for a first time in years, I can start to imagine the next 5 years! normally I just take one day at a time or a week at a time if all is going well. I am happy and so is My daughter but we are both a bit anxious waiting.
 

abstractLucas

I honestly think accepting the limitation our kids have is an ongoing thing - it was my son's birthday a couple of weeks ago and while day to day I get on with doing everything he needs it's when I am suddenly confronted with the fact that he is now 15 and I'm still brushing his teeth and feeding him and all this stuff. It's not like I thought that would magically change overnight, but sometimes it's a bit like you get hit in the face with it if you know what I mean.
Maybe the waiting and anxiety about whether you have a place or not might be easier if you were able to find out when you will find out (if that makes sense) - can you ring the SEN department or the school and let them know you and your daughter are really anxious to know then they could give you an idea of how long you'll be waiting? I just know what busy council departments are like and it might be that the decision is already made and everyone thinks someone else has probably told you!  It's not hassling them, it's just asking for an update!
Lucas