A very busy Tuesday!

We begun our tuesday by Kian getting ready and put on his transport to nursery. Myself and Craig had an hour and half before we were to go to the nursery for a couple of meetings.

We spoke informly to the head mistress at Kian's nursery. We spoke mainly of communication for us as parents. We decided for Kian to use transport as it is a great help but we still want good communication from nursery to home. There have been a few issues regarding snacks, for instance Kian's book telling us he had banana for snack but him having a segment of tangerine in his mouth when he came home, another saying he did not have a snack because it was hard carrots. ??? We were told that Kian would have been given something else in those instances, but a bit more communication to us at home would clear those things up. Also another parent told me that before the easter the class teacher was absent for a few weeks though we werent aware of it. Im sure Kian was perfectly looked after but at Kian's age without his difficulties he could possibly of told me his teacher wasnt in. I dont want to fall in the habit of thinking "well we dont need to know these things" or does it matter. I do want to know who is looking after Kian and if Kian cannot tell me then I expect communication. Is this unreasonable? Is this not what all parents would expect disability or not! We have also asked for Kian's statement of special educational needs to be started. The school did not want to start until Feb but have agreed to begin the process after summer. I was concerned of losing vital time that Kian could benefit from having a statement. The worry from the school is that the statement could be out of date by the time it is complete, but I would rather be sure.

We then met with Speech Therapist, Hearing Impaired Teacher and Kian's Class Teacher of two days per week. We expressed our concerns, wishes and expectations. It has been agreed that a ST assistant will spend time with Kian twice per week in quiet and busy time to assess where he is at and get to know Kian. The class teacher was of the opinion that Kian gets what we were asking within his nursery time. Nursery time has previously been 7 1/2 hours over the week and in that time he does group music and movement, swimming and rebound. Speech therapy we were told would transfer from the home to nursery when he started so we did and do expect for particlar specialised time to be spent with Kian on communication. I also dont think it is too much to ask for that someone gets to know Kian over time to see what his capabilites are. I said that I felt we were getting the minimum help possible. The hearing impaired teacher is going to come out to the home and do some sessions there. She is really nice and I have said in previous blogs how good the hearing impaired team are. I dont want to be negative about ST but since having Kian and if Kian is involved I speak as I find. Hopefully we will see and feel an improvement of this service for Kian. It is going to be reviewed mid term how the one to one time is going. I only hope that they dont remove this help if they dont see a great deal of improvement in a short time. Time is what Kian needs. In one sense Kian has all the time in the world but in another you cant get back time.

Next we went to get Kian measured for his lycra shorts. He was really good and I cant wait for him to give them a go. Im not expecting for him to take an immediate first step but hopefully it will give him more support which will give him the confidence to try. He is very eager and determined. He is also ready for a new pair of paedro shoes. By looking at his feet you can see he still needs support which the shoes will give. It will be his 3rd pair, and I remember initially being told he would not benefit from them. It is always worth asking and then maybe asking again! You never know!

Kian was funny at the baby stars group we have been to this afternoon. He kept on trying to take other childrens toys and though I strongly dont find it funny him doing it, I am pleased as it is another development stage he is going through. We do tell him he has to share and we return the toy to the rightful owner. We want the balance of Kian knowing what is right and wrong and giving certain allowances for his disability. It was funny though when he had ate his cake and bum shuffled over to a little girls cake and quickly put it in his mouth before I could stop him. He knew it was food and he knew he wanted it. I wonder where he gets his love of food from!