penny

Hi all, I've had lots of trouble accessing this site over the last week - broadband in my area? I posted last Friday, day of D's sports day, but it seems to have got lost somewhere..... Anyway, D's sports day was a success! I felt really confident going into the day armed with all your advice and well wishes. Even managed to stay calm driving there in the morning when we were running a little late - a 'no anxiety' zone.... All the success goes to D's teacher who has been brilliant all year. She ran with/for him in all 3 races. Even putting his t-shirt on (boys size 7-8) and bending down so D could put his hat on her head. D flapped with delight! All parents were laughing as was I with tears thrown in. D has even mentioned since that 'it was a fun day' and he 'can't wait for the next sports day' which is success indeed! However, the day was all about winning - only stickers for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The school could have at least given 'well done' stickers to everyone. D loves stickers. I also ignored the awkward silence by other parents around me after each event. I was enveloped in D's happiness. Without his beloved teacher at school next year, I fear the school will be a different place for him - she was the school's inclusion policy. And no-one else seems willing to take up the challenge. I agree with you Lorne that schools should strive to include our children in events as the DEFAULT. And as my son's experience at sports day shows, there are plenty of ways to adapt an event to suit our children. It just needs the will. This is the lesson I have learned from all of your advice and D's experience. I am hoping that D's school has that will for next year but alas, I fear not......... Thanks again everyone.... Penny

Thanks Hector and SarahJane for the support. Good luck SarahJane at the concert. I love this website....... Penny

I am overwhelmed by all the responses. I'm getting emotional reading them. Thanks so much to all of you. I am printing all your responses out to give to his teacher in preparation for tommorrow. School is an independent and tommorrow will be all about winning. But I will be there with with loudest cheer for D. I just hope nobody laughs at him like they did at the Xmas concert - there was a dance routine you see.....If so, I'll be grabbing the microphone off the head teacher and giving the crowd a lesson in empathy and understanding children with disabilities. We don't think the school is a long term solution for D but his teachers to-date have been great. We are frantically looking for another more empathetic school but that's another topic....... Will post after the day with what happened. Thanks again for all your help everyone. Penny

Hi Nellie, Thanks again for your fast reply. Yes, he does seem to be looking forward to it. He will probably be anxious. We'll go along and go-with-the-flow. No one will force him to participate if he doesn't want to. Will post back with the results after the day. Thanks again for your help. Penny

In 2 days time it's my son's school's sports day. He is 5, aspergers with moderate Dyspraxic disabilities. Teacher (who has been great) told me yesterday that D is very noticabily the last in the race - they have been practicing all week. He's very aware that he "never wins". The actual day will be full of anxieties for him - it's held at a different site to where they have been practicing, all the parents will be there watching. Teacher says just to play it by ear. If he doesn't want to race, he doesn't have to. She also says that she will run with him and help with the props along the way ( he has to put on a t-shirt, pick up bucket and spade and put on a hat along the way). Oh, it's making me feel sick just thinking about it. Why should I put him through it at all? I don't want him to feel left out but I don't want him to be humiliated if he tries at the same time....Is skipping school for the day and going to the zoo instead an option?.......Any suggestions?????? Penny