I can't say that without hearing Eeyore's voice ;-)
We see her PE teacher, her ICT teacher, her music teacher and her form teacher.
In the past two years we've seen one particular teacher last who for reasons I won't mention happens to really 'get' Evan. That teacher always has us leaving parents evening on a bit of a high, not because Evan copes any better in that teacher's class, but because their attitude towards her is very different. Unfortunately, I missed all the slots and we had to see them first today which is probably why I am sitting here feeling a little blue.
I will pause parents evening there for a moment and take you back two week when we found out that Evan is on the waiting list for an ADOS test and that we should expect a diagnosis of ASD. The consultant we were meeting with said that when we have the diagnosis we will be amazed at the doors of understanding that will become open for Evan.
Fast forward back to today. Now before I say this I want to point out that Evan is in a lovely school, one in which the staff and in the main the children are very kind and caring. However, there was only one teacher who didn't mention words like deliberately naughty, intentionally disobedient, she knows that she shouldn't do this or that.... I could go on. I am sure you can guess which one it was who didn't say those things.
I really hope that the doctor is right and that with a diagnosis and support being given to the school, in terms of how best to help Evan, that there will come more understanding. I'm not saying that she can't be some of those things some of the time but I'd love those teachers to be a fly on the wall when my little girl is trying to make sense of how she behaves. How many six year olds spend time worrying about their behaviour especially if they are deliberately and intentionally behaving in a certain way.
On a brighter note we were informed that she is happy. Long may it continue.
Dany, I'm working with people on the Spectrum & with children in the spectrum. I also have a friend who is diagnosed (& a few that I suspect also). If I can help in any way, I would he happy to.
ReplyDeleteThere is a great doc over here, who is English originally I think, & is over there regularly & you can find some of his lectures on YouTube. I'm pretty sure his name is Tony Atwood (it's late & I'm tired, so if I'm wrong, give me a nudge)... his work on understanding girls with ASD is really interesting, as they often slip through without diagnosis. Girls are better at adapting as a general rule too, as we mimic.
As an aside, many people in the caring community have ASD or end up married to someone with ASD.
Ruth, thank you so much for the offer of help. I will definitely look up Tony Atwood as I think that is one of the biggest problem with a kid like Evan, she is really good at hiding her difficulties, so in general people just think she is deliberately behaving badly.
ReplyDelete