Sometimes special needs parenting is battling through various storms just to get our children's basic needs met. I'm facing a new storm. I got told last week that my youngest son's application for an additional needs nursery placement was rejected. I immediately burst into floods of tears, how could they deny my precious boy the help he needs?
I was at a toddlers group when I received the call and I was so upset. Although I am thoroughly embarrassed at being so emotional publicly, I'm glad I wasn't alone and had lovely friends to support me there. I cried because I kept thinking my oldest son got into an ASN nursery at 3 years old and the difference it made to his development was instrumental to how far he has progressed in his life. My youngest son deserves the same opportunity to be all he can be. I don't put limits on my children in terms of how far they can go and what they can do in their life because they are already little miracles and warriors doing so well! But I am realistic, I know my youngest may never gain qualifications at school or university or have a job or live independently but with the correct help and support who knows what the future holds for him. I want him to reach whatever potential he has in him and I will be forever proud of ALL that he achieves.
My son is 2 years and 9 months old, he is non speaking, he has limited early communication skills (e.g. gestures, eye contact, facial expressions etc), he is not interested in interacting with others, he is no where near ready to be toilet trained, he has an extremely limited diet, separation anxiety, a strong will to get his own way and the list goes on. How can a mainstream nursery meet his needs? Nathan took 3 months to settle into a nursery with 4-5 children in it and 3 staff and still finds it difficult to attend. There will be 30-40 other children in the mainstream nursery with 3-4 staff. So, he's going from an adult to child ratio of less than 1:2 to 1:10! Plus the noise and number of children will terrorise him.
The mainstream nursery he is registered to attend is fantastic and I know he will be well cared for there but will they have the staff and the training to give my son the time and support he needs? I'm really concerned they won't due to budget issues and lack of training because they are not a special needs nursery. So, as with many aspects of special needs parenting I have to fight for the level of care and support my son needs to reach his full potential. I know I am not alone in this type of fight. There will be many parents fighting for their neurodivergent child. Big shout out to all those parents and carers doing all they can to give their children the best start in life!
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