Social Interactions and VCFS

Related: Social Issues, Education

by asaddler
Saturday, November 28, 2009

As my son is getting older and beginning his preteen years, I have noticed social interaction with peers is becoming an increasing problem.  He is very well liked at his school however he wears his feelings on his sleeve.  He takes everything people say literally.  For example if we are with a group and someone starts laughing he gets mad and thinks they are laughing at him.  I make a real effort to make him feel confident, yet somedays his self-esteem is so low.  Children with VCFS most of the time look completely normal, as does my son.  Sometimes I have to remind myself he has VCFS when I get frustrated when he takes something literal and gets mad. 

The social skills that he lacks is starting to effect his schooling.  He has an IEP and we meet in an ARC meeting twice a year to review and make changes to his individual learning plan.  Because of some of his immaturity and lack of social skills, the ARC team tried to encourge my husband and I to put him in the FMD unit at his school.  Functionally Mentally Disabled.  Some of the children in that class are in wheel- chairs, don't speak, are blind.  My son is not mentally disabled.  He may have mental challenges, but he is not disabled.  I hate the word disabled.  I refuse to label him MMD and put him in the FMD unit.  Although I get resistance from his school, I will stand strong as I defend and advocate for my son.  One of the main problems I have run into with his school is because the principle is of course educated as well as the teachers they think they know everything.  They are educated in books, but not about VCFS.  This has been a real challenge for my family.  Educating the school system about VCFS and everything that goes along with it. 

As parents we have to stand together to get our children the support and resources they need to succeed.  I am so thankful I have found this website.  I have been reading everything on the site.  It seems like everything pertains to my son, as I am sure you feel the same.    If any one has any information on how to deal with social interaction skills please message me.  Together we can make our childrens lives much better.