As I write, my face is cringing every time my poor little man Tom cries out in pain. The problem is mundane - one of poor diet today with too little fluids and ensuing constipation. I have done all I can, and staying with him is not helping him cope so I am here. But I so hate hearing the pain.
Anyway, today it turns out is one of those days that will go down in our family history. Today, Nick and I went down to Southlands for Zack's assessment review. This is the first review that follows a three month assessment or trial period. They now know our boy better than anyone, and today was decision time - does he fit the school?
No suspense - the decision is a resounding yes. The affection they have for him made the room glow. Little anecdotes were commonplace, and his evident AS difficulties were constantly counterbalanced by the glorious quirks of his personality. the occupational therapist was blown away when she assessed his visual perception skills - he has those of an 18 year old, it transpires!! Patience, the psychologist (oh yes, her real name, and she lives up to it) already has many ideas to help us at home, and Naomi the headmistress is looking forward to the day when he becomes lovely at home and horrid at school. Her reasoning: when we see the problem, we can tackle it and deal with it. Much better for him to be at his worst at school.
Not only was there much understanding of Zack and strategies for helping him. There was very quickly an understanding around the table that Zack is very like his Daddy, and all staff followed Nick as he referred to charts and numbers when asking his questions. They were also incredibly sensitive about my relationship with him, and suggested that I come and spend a weekend at school as a first step to mending that relationship... something I hadn't considered a possibility!!
This is a remarkable school, a remarkable community. Possibly the brightest light in a bright bright day was Naomi's comparison of Zack to another boy. She talks of the two as peas in a pod, right down to the quirky balance of their IQ scores and social behaviours. This other boy has just earned a first degree at Manchester university.
Hope sparks anew. We no longer say: Zack goes to Southlands
Anyway, today it turns out is one of those days that will go down in our family history. Today, Nick and I went down to Southlands for Zack's assessment review. This is the first review that follows a three month assessment or trial period. They now know our boy better than anyone, and today was decision time - does he fit the school?
No suspense - the decision is a resounding yes. The affection they have for him made the room glow. Little anecdotes were commonplace, and his evident AS difficulties were constantly counterbalanced by the glorious quirks of his personality. the occupational therapist was blown away when she assessed his visual perception skills - he has those of an 18 year old, it transpires!! Patience, the psychologist (oh yes, her real name, and she lives up to it) already has many ideas to help us at home, and Naomi the headmistress is looking forward to the day when he becomes lovely at home and horrid at school. Her reasoning: when we see the problem, we can tackle it and deal with it. Much better for him to be at his worst at school.
Not only was there much understanding of Zack and strategies for helping him. There was very quickly an understanding around the table that Zack is very like his Daddy, and all staff followed Nick as he referred to charts and numbers when asking his questions. They were also incredibly sensitive about my relationship with him, and suggested that I come and spend a weekend at school as a first step to mending that relationship... something I hadn't considered a possibility!!
This is a remarkable school, a remarkable community. Possibly the brightest light in a bright bright day was Naomi's comparison of Zack to another boy. She talks of the two as peas in a pod, right down to the quirky balance of their IQ scores and social behaviours. This other boy has just earned a first degree at Manchester university.
Hope sparks anew. We no longer say: Zack goes to Southlands
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