St Francis

Today Butterfly had a day at the secondary school she will attend in September. She was so nervous but she got through it and I think enjoyed it! When I asked her how it went it was like pulling teeth trying to get anything out of her (!) but when Chewbacca got in the car they were chatting away about the teachers and the food and what goes on there.

It was lovely to hear them and they both seem happy with the school.

I had a good phone call with the Portage worker this morning. She is coming on Thursday but I wanted her to bring some information for me and for her to have a think about some issues I wanted to talk through on Thursday.

We talked a bit about pre-schools as though I’m not intending to send Blessing until next year I need to start visiting them and getting a feel so I can put her name down. It’s quite a tricky thing to consider as I have heard some negative aspects about all three of the nearest ones. Also Blessing can seemingly be quite a normal child who is engaging but she has problems sometimes understanding things (says ‘Yes’ to anything at the moment!) and also communicating and due to her Hypermobility can be unstable in her walking and climbing. I want to know she will be well supported. Added to that the needs she may have as an adopted child from the care system.

The Portage Worker said that there are lots of planning meetings before hand and they do a risk assessment too for the child to make sure they are safe using the toys and equipment.

Hopefully by next year I will feel more confident!

She also gave me the news that everything is place now for her to refer Blessing for a detailed developmental assessment. This will entail assessments by people such as physios, play specialists, occupational and speech therapists. Blessing is already under the Child Development Centre in our nearest hospital but we live in a different Local Authority than the hospital and our portage and education support come from the LA we live in. It sounds complicated but this two day assessment will act as a baseline for the support she will need at pre-school and primary school as well as giving us a guide to where she’s currently at developmentally. It probably won’t be until the autumn though as these things take time to arrange!

Well I’ll get to know the inside of another hospital!! Happy days!

Blessing enjoyed doing ‘chalking’ on the chalk board in the garden today. The first time she has had the experience. She seemed to get the hang of it though kept eating the chalk! She did look a state especially as, as well as eating the chalk she kept eating the alpine strawberries growing on our rockery! Her mouth was surrounded with chalk dust and bits of strawberries! Never mind! The fun children have is always measured by the amount of mess they get into I think!!