17/12/2022
"Good afternoon, Mum, thanks for meeting with me,
I have concerns about your daughter, you see.
She's not like the others I'm teaching this year,
She's overly sensitive, bursts into tears
Over just about everything, silly old things,
Then she sticks to the classroom assistant and clings.
When we do group work she doesn't engage,
And I don't think she's writing like children her age.
She has the same discussions again and again,
And have you seen the funny way she holds a pen?
She's always the last to get dressed for PE
And the last out for lunch, break and assembly.
And she always looks lost like she's not really there,
She won't answer her peers, she's not very aware.
She won't pay attention and listen in lesson,
She's always preoccupied with her obsession.
She won't eat much lunch and she can't tie her shoes...
So tell me, Mum, what are you going to do?"
"Thank you Miss T, your report is fantastic!
It's abundantly clear that my daughter's Autistic.
The process will go smoothly if you share your view
So I'll need that in writing - an email will do.
As for support it's so easy to see,
Most of her mentioned needs are sensory.
The tears are caused by overload and frustration,
The writing and pen grip are proprioception.
The same can be said for her shoes and her dressing,
And as for the group work, it's very distressing!
Lunch is a barrage of sights smells and sounds,
It's so hard to eat with all of that around.
She shuts herself down out of self preservation,
She needs to be provided with regulation -
Sensory items and regular breaks,
If she can't eat lunch you should let her have shakes.
She needs support from an adult she can trust,
In tasks where she struggles she shouldn't be rushed.
If school can't provide these adjustments, Miss T,
We'll have to apply for an EHCP."
"Autism, Mum? What makes you think that?
I have no concerns, I just wanted a chat!
Your daughter is actually getting on well,
And meeting her targets, although she can't spell.
And once she's stopped crying she's totally fine!
She's just a daydreamer and that's not a sign!
The problems she does have need fixing at home,
Like teaching her how to get changed on her own
And ensuring she knows that she must eat her food
And reminding her that blanking her peers is rude.
I'm sure it is hard and I do feel for you,
I know of a parenting course you can do.
The provisions you list won't be necessary
Your daughter's support needs are quite ordinary!"
(C) Mana Avey of Neurodiversity Now
