I am sent a picture...

This boy has had swimming lessons before, with his mainstream primary school. the whole class packed on a bus and taken to the nearest public pool.

Everyone expected to change and present themselves at the poolside unaided, chivvied. Expected to listen in the echoing, reeking building to shouted commands to get in a group, fetch a float, line up, get in the water, listen to a string of verbal instructions on body movements, attempt it in front of your peers but only at your turn.

When this child changed school, to a setting that meets his needs as a PDAer, I sent them an 'anxious mum' email before his first swim. I said that he can't swim at all, that he needs earplugs and goggles, that he panics as he lowers his torso into the water, that he can't tolerate splashes on his face, that his previous responses to swimming lessons have included running away and hiding, swearing at staff, hitting out at staff, as well as ignoring every instruction given if ever actually in the pool.

And then I am sent a picture.

After this swim, he demanded a nose clip so he could dive for bricks.

What? I am stunned.

This has been his full time school for less than a year, much of that during lockdown. He still does not attend timetabled lessons or complete written work. He swears lavishly around, but not often at, staff. He still experiences significant anxiety around school, but it is 'purer' PDA, not exacerbated by persistent feelings of stupidity and inadequacy that were reinforced daily in his previous school. Can we measure this improvement? not conventionally, but its blindingly obvious.

This child has changed radically, as his needs -primarily his need to feel safe- begin to be met. He is still profoundly disabled by PDA in the social sense, but he is no longer heading towards the mental health crash that seemed inevitable only ten months ago. Disabled but not ill. I'd say that's a win.

With heartfelt gratitude to all of those involved in this journey, every bit of support is appreciated.