education

Mum tells how son, 4, is struggling to speak as lockdown hits parents of disabled children

[ad_1]

Danielle Pedley says she wouldn’t have managed without the support of a special school for her three children John (l), Brayden and Josh (Picture: Danielle Pedley)

A single mum has told of how the Covid-19 shutdowns have hit the development of three of her young children with special educational needs (SEND).

Danielle Pedley is among parents left struggling after educational and support services were shut or curtailed following the first lockdown.

Three of her children, Joshua, 11, Brayden, 8, and John, 4, are affected by autism and related learning difficulties.

Metro.co.uk previously reported on how families with SEND children feel ‘abandoned’ after services were impacted by Covid-19 restrictions.

Danielle, 31, who has a fourth child, Olivia, 12, says she has noticed a deterioration in their development and behaviour since March. 

The special school worker, from Atherton, near Wigan, said: ‘With the occupational therapy we usually get different treatments and advice through the NHS but they have not come out since the first lockdown.

‘John and Brayden have sensory needs and I have put in a referral for extra support through a plan to help them but there is 12-week backlog, so we are waiting.

‘With the lockdown it has been really hard for them with the change of routine.

‘They don’t understand what is going on and why they can’t go out to the special autism sessions in the park and burn off energy because they have been closed down and taped off, and the autism groups are not meeting.

Danielle Pedley has coped with her four children despite the disruption to their education and having had Covid-19 (Picture: Danielle Pedley)

‘They are struggling and acting up more and they are become frustrated and violent. They need the routine and to have the extra support.

‘They have also missed a lot of school because of Covid outbreaks and they haven’t adjusted well to being off and going back in.

‘They don’t know if they are coming or going. John is nearly five and has got no words yet so I’m worried about his progress with the disruption.

‘But Josh didn’t speak until six, so I’m not giving up hope.’

Josh was at Rowan Tree Primary School and progressed well after not being able to talk when he started at the age of five.

But an occupational therapy service provided to the family stopped in March and Danielle has also had to self-isolate after catching Covid-19.

She has since recovered and returned to work.

‘It’s very difficult and there’s been no end in sight,’ Danielle said. ‘You already feel isolated looking after the children and now it’s even more difficult.

‘When I had coronavirus it left me worrying who would come out and look after them if I was too unwell to cope.

‘I’ve managed ok with my children, and I’ve had great help from an early help worker named Dawn, who has been amazing.

Danielle Pedley and son Brayden enjoy an evening out (Picture: Danielle Pedley)

‘But a lot of families are feeling let down and isolated.’

Danielle is also taking part in a fundraiser to provide extra play equipment for Rowan Tree School in Atherton, including balls and accessible bikes.

She said: ‘if it wasn’t for the school I don’t think Josh would have learnt to speak.

‘John is still there and is making progress but he’s not getting any other support.

‘The school is a lifeline for so many parents, without it I wouldn’t manage at all, and we need to give it all the help we can. Working there has given me strategies to help with my own children and I hope it can help as many other families as possible through difficult times.’

Closures and reductions of education, health and domestic provision for SEND children during the pandemic have increased the burden on families who say they were already struggling to cope beforehand.

The Department for Education has said that children with SEND have been a priority throughout the pandemic and it has spent £37million this year to help thousands of low-income families raising disabled or seriously ill children with the extra challenges.

Metro.co.uk has approached Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust for comment.

View the fundraising page here.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.



[ad_2]

READ SOURCE

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.  Learn more