Just the title here fills me with dread!
Pete and I have never invited social services in to our home, we have bristled every time someone has suggested it in fact. After all the experiences we have had with 'professionals', it has been very hard to see how this could be a good thing - despite being asked 'who is your social worker' and every appointment we have for the kids! In all our time around disabled kids, I think I have only met/spoken to 2 parents who said anything good about the service - and this includes schools too!!! Both those parents have children with a proven medical diagnosis - not just 'Autism and associated disorders'. Personal opinion and belief really doesn't come into it when there is a Genetic reason for the disability!
So, when our Neuromuscular advisor suggested we access the service for help, you can probably imagine our reactions! However, she made a good case, and we trust in her, so we decided, being that the situation has changed dramatically, lets give it a go and see what they say!
The VERY NEXT day we had a phonecall arranging a meeting!! That meeting was this morning.
Now, to be blunt, Dregan and his needs have NOT changed - the thing that has changed is that now we have MEDICAL PROOF, people are more inclined to offer support instead of laying blame. We are actually starting to get somewhere, and we believe that because we have specialists out of county involved, our local Authority is stepping up. This is a good thing (if really frustrating and upsetting that we have been fighting for so long for nothing!)
The meeting was this morning. The Social worker attended with a Student on placement, and they were both very nice. From the onset we were honest, and gave our reservations, and from the onset we noticed how differently the meeting was going - again, because it was based on actual proof in their eyes, not just what we believed as parents!
I was SO anxious this morning about it. But, all went quite well, and we shall now see what the next steps are. The meeting was to begin the full assessment of Dregans needs, and where HE can be supported! Also, if Xander can be supported in any way also. What we are hoping for is someone to help Dregan access the outside world, maybe instead of him spending 3 hours a day on the school bus (leaving no time for anything else), someone could collect him and spend that extra hour doing things with him one on one. Be that homework, therapy, swiming, Physio, etc...Also, its putting support in place for when Dregan goes through transition into adult services. (whatever that may be)
So, all in all, I am quietly confident that we may have taken a step in another correct direction. I am still wary, there is still a long way to go, and many more meetings etc (one next week to meet with Dregan) - so I don't expect changes to happen quickly - but if Dregan can get some support outside the family, it could be a great learning and life experience for him...
And, we got told our ideas for support were the type of thing they would definitely be able to work with, and 'you've done a great job so far and seem to be doing everything right' - did you hear that... PRAISE from a social worker (!!! hehe!!!)
So, feeling positive, and now to get on with the rest of the day!
What a way to begin a Monday morning (9am meeting!!)
x
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