Since Daniel was little, I have suspected that he might need OT. At preschool he very rarely brought home paintings, and he really didn't show much interest in writing his name, let alone writing in general. His cutting wasn't always on the lines and being a left handed boy he often wrote letters backwards. But in Kindy they had an OT come in and observe all the kids and we got a letter that said that he was fine for his age. I was honestly surprised. I expected that we would be suggested to go and see an OT then. But I left it, assuming it was just because he was a lefty.
Year 1 came and his teacher suggested that he do some fine motor activities to help strengthen his pencil grip and that would mean that he could write more. To be honest I tried a few things but I found that those activities kinda took a back seat to doing other things.
Year 2 came and his teachers said that he is just a distracted boy and wants to help others so he wasn't writing very much. His effort on the report for English had dropped which surprised me. I don't care if my kids are top or bottom of the class but I do care that they are trying their best effort all the time. I asked Daniel about the lower effort mark and he said that he gets distracted from others and finds it hard to focus so he doesn't do much writing. He also said that he hates writing. I understand to an extent. I didn't enjoy writing much in school but I don't think that I hated it. Maybe I did.
At the start of this year I met with his Year 3 teacher to touch base with where he was, particularly with his writing. She said that she would be encouraging him and will help him where she could. Then yesterday she called me to say that she hasn't really seen improvement in Daniel's handwriting. She has recommended that he sees an OT to help him. She said that the amount of writing is lacking she thinks because he finds it hard to write and she is encouraging him to focus on writing neatly.
So where am I at now? I'm annoyed at myself for not following my gut in Kindy when I felt he should have some OT support to help him and strengthen his fine motor skills. I'm annoyed at the school because when I asked for recommendations they said they can't recommend anywhere. What is with that? I don't get it. You say you are caring for the student and the family, yet you aren't going to suggest any places that are helpful. Yes I can just look up places on the internet but it is another thing to do and how do I know if they are good places or not?? I'm grateful for Daniel's teacher for finally bringing it to my attention and wanting him to get help. I'm annoyed at the health system because I did call up one place and they said it is a 2 month wait to get an initial assessment and then another waiting list before actually starting any therapy. The system is wrong! So for Daniel, he won't be having any support until Year 4 really.
I'm just overwhelmed at the moment. In Kindy I had the time in the afternoons for him to go and do therapy or anything he needed. Now we don't have afternoons free to do this. It is going to be a juggle. The fact that he will have to wait even longer means that it is going to take him longer to get out of bad habits. I wish that the school seemed more supportive. I get that their job is 9-3 but honestly, when I taught I was thinking about the kids before and after school too. I would have asked and worked out places in the area that the family could try and call.
Anyway, the next steps are to process my frustration and move on. Then to chat with Daniel about starting to see an OT down the track to help him have the strength to write more. Putting it in a positive light, not frustrated like I feel at the moment. Then to see the Doctor on Thursday with him to get a referral and hopefully they can suggest a place for OT. And then to go on a waiting list until we can get assessed.
Anyway, it is another thing but I do know that it will benefit Daniel big time, that it will help his confidence and his writing ability. It will help him in life which is important. I want to do it for him, I just wish that I was doing it earlier, but we can't live with the 'what ifs' of life.
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