Wednesday 21 January 2009

Update on Little Prince

I had a meeting with Little Prince's teacher yesterday morning, which went very well. She likes Little Prince and wants to do her best for him, and it probably helps that out of the three boys who are having behavioural issues in her class at the moment, Little Prince has involved parents who are supportive of what school is trying to do!! Anyway I explained about Little Prince panicking that I have gone to Ethiopia everytime I go anywhere, being unsettled still after our chaotic Christmas, being scared and feeling he has to do what the other child says (ie kick someone or the child will punch Little Prince) and how easily led he is by who he is with. The teacher agreed that she had seen that if he plays with the quieter children he plays quietly, but if he plays with the loud children he plays loudly. We chatted about what the Speech Therapist had observed and the teacher agreed with some of the assessments made, but she also was very reassuring that Little Prince interacts appropriately with his friends and shares his toys, takes turns etc. I felt much better hearing that as it confirms what I feel about her labelling of Little Prince ie he does display autistic-like behaviours, but only when he feels threatened (asked to perform when he's scared of failing) and unsafe (in a totally unfamiliar environment with a non sympathetic adult who didn't try to engage him). At school where he feels safe (after a huge battle but we have finally got there, thankfully) and has sympathetic teachers and staff who he feels like him and can keep him safe, he behaves much more appropriately, most of the time anyway!! His teacher explained a bit more about the behaviour chart, and said she is using it to praise and really concentrate on all the positive behaviour that we know he can be capable of. He responds very well to praise and positive encouragement, so I think this will be a good tool.

Little Prince's teacher is going to chat to me after school most days, so that we both know what is going on and also so that Little Prince is aware that we are talking and both know what goes on! Today's report was mainly positive, he behaved very well during the morning. The class were doing mental maths, and Little Prince had one of the older children helping him - he would tell her his answer and she would write it down for him. However, he did play "the fighting game" during one of the playtimes and had to go inside to write lines, which with his dyspraxia would be an achievement in itself!! I pointed out that autistic children (and attachment disordered children, but she could understand and relate to the former!!) find the unstructured playtimes very hard to handle and that he was going to need a lot more supervision and structured play to be able to get through the playtimes. She explained that the dinner ladies are currently undergoing training in structuring playtimes and that should help him tremendously.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

You're such a great mom Janet. Wow...I'm so impressed with you. Your love and devotion are very touching..truly. Little Prince is a very lucky little guy. :) I know you are lucky to have him in your life too..not to diminish that...but, truly, he is blessed with someone who is so in love with him and fights for him in everyway, everyday, every minute.

Rosie said...

Its hard when other kids lead him astray.We have that problem aswell.Our little fella is easily led and its frustrating.Believe me...I know how you feel but this year fo us has been a big improvement.Little Prince probably has mild autistic traits.Apparently these can be missed.You are doing your best.

Mac said...

Janet,
I'm just getting to catching up on posts and boy have you wrote alot since the last time I checked in!lol It may take me an hour to catch up on all of your posts:)
It sounds as though you and LP's teacher are forming a good relationship and that will go along way in helping LP. You are doing a wonderful job. Some parents here in the states don't take the time to be involved with their kids and what is happening with them at school. Keep up the fight for LP, you're doing great.

Anonymous said...

Hi Janet

Just wanted to say that you and the family are doing the best possible things for LP. He is really in the best hands.

FYI on D's side of the family we have an autistic cousin - aspergers and he is just about to go off to uni..and can socially interact just fine. Sometimes he is a little "off" and "disconnected" but he's a bright, successful and lovely guy.

Rosie said...

Janet,
Any news on dossier? They are so slow!!

Rosie said...

Janet,
Check out this blog http://meidyncomehome.blogspot.com

Rosie said...

Janet,no posts for a bit!!!

Mac said...

Where are you, Janet? I've actually had time to read blogs and you're not blogging! I miss ya..hope everything is ok.


OUR ETHIOPIAN ADOPTION TIMELINE


25th May 2009 - See New Child again & Court Date

23rd May 2009 - Fly back to Ethiopia

26th March 2009 - Fly to Ethiopia :-)

3rd March 2009 - Dossier Arrived at Orphanage

26th February 2009 - Dossier sent to Ethiopia

22nd December 2008 - Dossier back at DCSF

28th November 2008 - Certificate of Eligibility ISSUED

6th October 2008 - PASSED Approval Panel

7th July 2008 - Homestudy Update Started

28th Feb 2008 - Told LA we wished to change country

OUR CHINA ADOPTION TIMELINE

Formally withdrew from the China Adoption Programme 17th July 2008

LID (Logged in Date) with CCAA 16th August 2007

Documents to China 10th August 2007

Passed Approval Panel 5th March 2007

Homestudy started 6th June 2006

First Contact with our LA 1st Jan 2006