Delayed speech
Discussion
S100HP said:
Holy thread resurrection etc
My eldest is now 11, and due to start secondary school in September. Some of you may remember this thread and others regarding delayed speech, autistic traits etc. We've had difficulties over the years, but he's always loved school and is highly intelligent. 100% in mock sats, excelled at maths. That kind of thing but we've never chased the autistic diagnosis, we have tried to help him be as "normal" as possible.
Anyway, we looked at the options for local schools but had reservations he'd just get lost as hes so bright,he'd be left to get on with it and on an off chance looked at grammar schools, but they were just too far away to make it work. We then looked at the local private schools website because its good to dream isn't it (absolutely no way we could afford the fees of 20k per year) and found out they offer a means tested bursary.
Fast forward a few months, application form submitted, he got invited for an interview and then took the entrance exam, and we've just found out that he's been offered a place, and 100% bursary. We are absolutely blown away. Genuinely cant believe he's been accepted. This kind of stuff just doesn't happen to people like us. It feels like we've won the lottery.
Everytime I think about it or tell someone I feel my eyes trying to leak. Even sat here typing this its getting blurry. I think back to all the hard times we've had with him (and continue to have on a daily basis!), the woman mentioned a few posts ago who said he might never talk etc, and here we are him going to one of the top independent schools in the country. Our minds have been blown for the last 24hrs since we found out.
I know that him going here will have its own challenges, especially for us finding the money to do all the things he'll be given the opportunity to do (school trip to CERN for example), but will also mean he is directed and hopefully with like minded kids who want to learn, giving him the best opportunities going forward.
Genuinely cannot believe he's been chosen out of all these kids, despite the odds being stacked against him, so just wanted to share an update for those who posted on this thread originally and any other threads I might have shared similar on, and to those who might have their own challenges with their kids with similar difficulties. It's funny how things work out.
Its not often I come on here and read anything that makes me happy, this post has made me genuinely happy My eldest is now 11, and due to start secondary school in September. Some of you may remember this thread and others regarding delayed speech, autistic traits etc. We've had difficulties over the years, but he's always loved school and is highly intelligent. 100% in mock sats, excelled at maths. That kind of thing but we've never chased the autistic diagnosis, we have tried to help him be as "normal" as possible.
Anyway, we looked at the options for local schools but had reservations he'd just get lost as hes so bright,he'd be left to get on with it and on an off chance looked at grammar schools, but they were just too far away to make it work. We then looked at the local private schools website because its good to dream isn't it (absolutely no way we could afford the fees of 20k per year) and found out they offer a means tested bursary.
Fast forward a few months, application form submitted, he got invited for an interview and then took the entrance exam, and we've just found out that he's been offered a place, and 100% bursary. We are absolutely blown away. Genuinely cant believe he's been accepted. This kind of stuff just doesn't happen to people like us. It feels like we've won the lottery.
Everytime I think about it or tell someone I feel my eyes trying to leak. Even sat here typing this its getting blurry. I think back to all the hard times we've had with him (and continue to have on a daily basis!), the woman mentioned a few posts ago who said he might never talk etc, and here we are him going to one of the top independent schools in the country. Our minds have been blown for the last 24hrs since we found out.
I know that him going here will have its own challenges, especially for us finding the money to do all the things he'll be given the opportunity to do (school trip to CERN for example), but will also mean he is directed and hopefully with like minded kids who want to learn, giving him the best opportunities going forward.
Genuinely cannot believe he's been chosen out of all these kids, despite the odds being stacked against him, so just wanted to share an update for those who posted on this thread originally and any other threads I might have shared similar on, and to those who might have their own challenges with their kids with similar difficulties. It's funny how things work out.
Great news....
I think I mentioned that my son was a bit late to the party with a few things - also used to have some odd hand gestures, opening and closing them, when he thought he wasn't being observed.
Anyhoo, sailed through his exams, won a scholarship to St Andrews University....
I'm sure your son will find his new school and the chemistry with his housemaster (very important) will be the making of him.
Congrats to him, I'll bet he's thrilled too.
I think I mentioned that my son was a bit late to the party with a few things - also used to have some odd hand gestures, opening and closing them, when he thought he wasn't being observed.
Anyhoo, sailed through his exams, won a scholarship to St Andrews University....
I'm sure your son will find his new school and the chemistry with his housemaster (very important) will be the making of him.
Congrats to him, I'll bet he's thrilled too.
What a lovely update and how fantastic for your son.
We've also been through the speech delays, social awkwardness, highs, lows and wanting to avoid anything with the A word after our eldest had all that, funnily enough my friend who's a maths teacher asked me last week to talk to my sons school as apparently my sons mathematical ability is remarkable.
When I read about the things you did to help your child, especially with his cousin it's nice how a wider family was all there for him, also makes me feel sad somewhat for all the children who don't get a chance to flourish because they haven't got that 'village' around them.
Anyway, congratulations for the wonderful news..!
We've also been through the speech delays, social awkwardness, highs, lows and wanting to avoid anything with the A word after our eldest had all that, funnily enough my friend who's a maths teacher asked me last week to talk to my sons school as apparently my sons mathematical ability is remarkable.
When I read about the things you did to help your child, especially with his cousin it's nice how a wider family was all there for him, also makes me feel sad somewhat for all the children who don't get a chance to flourish because they haven't got that 'village' around them.
Anyway, congratulations for the wonderful news..!
delayed speech is a marker for autism. Watch out for other potential signs at this age such as repetitive behaviour, resistance to change, lack of eye contact, not responding to name etc
Otherwise, as people have said, could be nothing at all, just part of the the bell curve of child development
Otherwise, as people have said, could be nothing at all, just part of the the bell curve of child development
sparkyhx said:
delayed speech is a marker for autism. Watch out for other potential signs at this age such as repetitive behaviour, resistance to change, lack of eye contact, not responding to name etc
Otherwise, as people have said, could be nothing at all, just part of the the bell curve of child development
Thanks, but he's 11 now. Was an old thread that I updated. Apologies for the confusion.Otherwise, as people have said, could be nothing at all, just part of the the bell curve of child development
S100HP said:
Holy thread resurrection etc
My eldest is now 11, and due to start secondary school in September. Some of you may remember this thread and others regarding delayed speech, autistic traits etc. We've had difficulties over the years, but he's always loved school and is highly intelligent. 100% in mock sats, excelled at maths. That kind of thing but we've never chased the autistic diagnosis, we have tried to help him be as "normal" as possible.
Anyway, we looked at the options for local schools but had reservations he'd just get lost as hes so bright,he'd be left to get on with it and on an off chance looked at grammar schools, but they were just too far away to make it work. We then looked at the local private schools website because its good to dream isn't it (absolutely no way we could afford the fees of 20k per year) and found out they offer a means tested bursary.
Fast forward a few months, application form submitted, he got invited for an interview and then took the entrance exam, and we've just found out that he's been offered a place, and 100% bursary. We are absolutely blown away. Genuinely cant believe he's been accepted. This kind of stuff just doesn't happen to people like us. It feels like we've won the lottery.
Everytime I think about it or tell someone I feel my eyes trying to leak. Even sat here typing this its getting blurry. I think back to all the hard times we've had with him (and continue to have on a daily basis!), the woman mentioned a few posts ago who said he might never talk etc, and here we are him going to one of the top independent schools in the country. Our minds have been blown for the last 24hrs since we found out.
I know that him going here will have its own challenges, especially for us finding the money to do all the things he'll be given the opportunity to do (school trip to CERN for example), but will also mean he is directed and hopefully with like minded kids who want to learn, giving him the best opportunities going forward.
Genuinely cannot believe he's been chosen out of all these kids, despite the odds being stacked against him, so just wanted to share an update for those who posted on this thread originally and any other threads I might have shared similar on, and to those who might have their own challenges with their kids with similar difficulties. It's funny how things work out.
Sorry I missed the 'thread ressurection' - Dont want to be the harbinger of doom, but do watch out for him. The switch from primary to secondary is a key challenge for 'autistic' kids, the social engagement rules change get more complex and nuanced. Any sign of differences can be brutally exploited by other kids etc. add in puberty and it can be a challenging time. It's worse for girls cos there is a stronger drive to fit in, but boys can be relatively happy to be 'loners' if thats the way things start to head, its not a choice as such, it's more of a 'its not worth the effort and cost to my mental wellbeing to try to fit in' response. My eldest is now 11, and due to start secondary school in September. Some of you may remember this thread and others regarding delayed speech, autistic traits etc. We've had difficulties over the years, but he's always loved school and is highly intelligent. 100% in mock sats, excelled at maths. That kind of thing but we've never chased the autistic diagnosis, we have tried to help him be as "normal" as possible.
Anyway, we looked at the options for local schools but had reservations he'd just get lost as hes so bright,he'd be left to get on with it and on an off chance looked at grammar schools, but they were just too far away to make it work. We then looked at the local private schools website because its good to dream isn't it (absolutely no way we could afford the fees of 20k per year) and found out they offer a means tested bursary.
Fast forward a few months, application form submitted, he got invited for an interview and then took the entrance exam, and we've just found out that he's been offered a place, and 100% bursary. We are absolutely blown away. Genuinely cant believe he's been accepted. This kind of stuff just doesn't happen to people like us. It feels like we've won the lottery.
Everytime I think about it or tell someone I feel my eyes trying to leak. Even sat here typing this its getting blurry. I think back to all the hard times we've had with him (and continue to have on a daily basis!), the woman mentioned a few posts ago who said he might never talk etc, and here we are him going to one of the top independent schools in the country. Our minds have been blown for the last 24hrs since we found out.
I know that him going here will have its own challenges, especially for us finding the money to do all the things he'll be given the opportunity to do (school trip to CERN for example), but will also mean he is directed and hopefully with like minded kids who want to learn, giving him the best opportunities going forward.
Genuinely cannot believe he's been chosen out of all these kids, despite the odds being stacked against him, so just wanted to share an update for those who posted on this thread originally and any other threads I might have shared similar on, and to those who might have their own challenges with their kids with similar difficulties. It's funny how things work out.
On the flip side a smaller school (I'm assuming its smaller) will help, as will being able to be properly supported in his learning rather than left to fend for themselves as can be the case with the top and bottom 10% kids in bigger mainstream school.
Anyway hope everythng goes great and I am 100% wrong.
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