Lucy had her OT Assessment today

[Princess Fiona]

Finally after 3yrs 9m waiting Lucy was re-assessed by the Occupational Therapist today.

The appointment lasted about an hour, I won't go through the entire assessment but I had to answer a 125 question questionnaire, Lucy told them about the things she found difficult & why and they did a few practical things like getting her to write and use cutlery & scissors.

I won't know the full "result" for 2 weeks as they need to write up their report but they have referred her to A Physiotherapist, a Pead & Orthotics for maybe insoles or shoes.

They've given me some bits & bobs to take home and trial at home & school (like cutlery & pencil grips etc) and they're looking into some carseats for me too, I had bought her an extra strap thing for her seatbelt but it doesn't help, they've suggested she needs a more supportive seat with arm rests!

I've come away feeling very positive as although they've agreed on everything I've always said was wrong at least I know don't feel like its only me that see's it!

There are various other things they picked up on that I hadn't really noticed until they were pointed out but once they mentioned them I was like "OMG" yes she totally does this or that.

The OT said that a diagnosis could be a long way off & maybe even never happen but they've said they believe she DOES need lots of extra support at school which she's currently not receiving.

Thanks to all that have followed Lucy's progress over the last few years and to everyone who has supported me and offered tips & advice, especially Redhed you have been a great help and support and you are a fountain of knowledge on the ins and out of the "system".

Thanks again and I'll do an update once I hear back from the OT

Martina, best of luck for J's appointment xx

[bubblewrap]

You must be so relieved! Of course, not that *yes* she *does* have problems, but because people have been fighting you on this so long! I really hope the things they've implemented make improvements quickly and that over time they can help ease the other symptoms.

[kelly]

Wow that sounds really positive PF, glad that at long last you're getting somewhere and that Lucy will get the help you've been looking for.

[bubbasweet]

Sounds really positive

[Bop]

That sounds like it was a huge positive - so glad it went well and lets hope she gets the extra help she needs quickly.

I remember your story over the years and can't believe its taken that long to get her properly assessed.

Bop

[cheeky_biscuit]

Thanks for posting, it's good to hear after all this time you've finally got somewhere; I know of a family in a similar situation to you who it took years to get him the help & support they needed and he can finally enjoy school. Hope this all continues to go positively.

[Athers]

Thanks for the update PF - that sounds really positive. Hopefully this means that she'll start getting the supports he needs at school. Keep us posted on the full report.

[lucypede]

Gosh, finally someone taking your concerns seriously!! Brilliant = lets hope they can actually offer things that help now. How are her tinted specs? xxx

[Chickenlips]

Sounds really positive Hun xxxx

[*Marti*]

What a relief for you. We are lucky as we haven't had any battles but I can't imagine what it must have been like. So glad Lucy is finally getting some support.

And thanks PF, hope we have as positive a time as you have had x

[WoollyNewty]

PF I'm so relieved for you someone is finally listening. Thank you for the update xxx

[Princess Fiona]

Thanks all.

Lucypede she only collected her specs yesterday as we've been on holiday for a fortnight, early days but I will keep you posted on progress! She said they're very dark and some kids at school were making fun asking why she was wearing sunglasses in class this morning, luckily she's really thick skinned & she found it funny that they didn't understand why she needed them.

Marti it has been such a battle, she was assessed at nursery age but at the they weren't concerned as her "behaviours" we're apparently age appropriate! Now her behaviours haven't changed and she's 3.5yrs older they seem to be as concerned as I am! It's a big relief because I often think its just me picking fault, I was a very bright child who did well at school and never found Anything challenging, Max is exactly the same and I have found it hard to accept that Lucy has these difficulties sometimes I feel like I'm putting too much pressure on her (not literally) but pressure on my expectations of her but speaking to the OT my expectations for her age are only what she should be doing and is currently failing to do!

Hopefully once school get a copy of the report they will liaise with the team and put the wheels in motion! School can be good I think if pointed in the right direction they were brilliant at nursery and reception level bitty Yr 1 was a massive struggle which has caused Lucy to fall further behind her classmates in Yr2

Fingerscrossed this is the start of things changing :-)

[Adelelee]

So glad you are finally getting somewhere

[Dr Spouse]

That sounds like it was a huge positive - so glad it went well and lets hope she gets the extra help she needs quickly.

I remember your story over the years and can't believe its taken that long to get her properly assessed.

I was just thinking the same thing! So pleased you have some help for her now though.

[redhed]

Oh I am so pleased. It will be really interesting to see what the report says. And I'm sure orthotics will help, they have good turnaround times where we are so hopefully that will bring a quick benefit.

I think the thing now is to grab onto the paediatrician when you finally get to see them and not let them go. Ime, the paed is the best one at chasing up OT and physio etc. So even if they see you and say: "well we can't do a whole lot", see if you can get them to keep her on the books and see her once a year or something. Paeds will do this where OT and physio will discharge (their waiting list targets seem to work slightly differently), and then if you are still on the books you can always get an appointment with the paed if a new problem comes up.

[Peridot]

Great news :) so pleased some one is finally listening - agree with red about the OT, we're having a nightmare trying to get back on it!

[parkejm]

That sound really good PF, so glad she has someone fighting her corner with you. Hope their measures will really help. Bless her and her tolerance of other kids who don't understand

[bisy backson]

good news pf, hope you get the support you need for her xx

[Princess Fiona]

Will take that on board RH the Pead she has been referred to is apparently really good and very helpful he's the same one my friends saw when they went private to get their Son assessed who has Dyspraxia.

I have several friends who are Teachers or TA's and they have all but one said they think Lucy has Aspergers, I've done quite a bit of reading about it and she does pretty much "fit the bill" but it wasn't bought up during the assessment and I think if they thought it was a possibility they would have mentioned it so I was quite relieved of course if it does get bought up at a later date I'll deal with it then!

Personally at the moment I think she has lots of little things going on and nothing major iyswin. She's certainly not you're average 7 year old in
Lots of ways and she often sticks out amongst her classmates if they're in a group. Most people who meet her usually describe her as "bonkers" or "off her head" lol but I do think that's just her personality as DH & MIL are pretty "nuts" too haha!!

Am Hoping the appointments all come through quickly so we can get the ball rolling before she moves up into Yr 3, her current teacher is fantastic but if she has who I think she will have next year I think we're going to struggle getting her help fingerscrossed there will be a teacher re-shuffle

[Princess Fiona]

Already had her cutlery posted today so at least I know they haven't forgotten us :-)