Whole Education

Darni was a Year Seven pupil and was making the big step up from primary to secondary school. Darni has Hemiplegia (total paralysis of the arm, leg, and trunk on the same side of the body) which means he can’t participate in PE lessons and had recently been diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The transition from primary to secondary school filled him with worry because he didn’t know what to expect.

Darni did not feel safe moving around the new school on his own and was very anxious about attending altogether. Sometimes he would simply leave at lunchtime as he didn’t feel he could cope. Darni’s mother, a single parent, was also finding it very difficult to cope with his anxieties about attending school and was left not knowing what to do.

Thankfully, Darni’s new secondary school had an SHS practitioner, Alan, who was able to meet Darni and talk through his anxieties and worries about school and his lessons. To build Darni’s confidence and help him get involved with his lessons, Alan accompanied Darni to his classes and provided alternative activities during PE lessons. Alan also met Darni at the school gate each day, walked with him between his lessons and spent lunchtime with him.

As Alan got to know Darni better he learnt that he had a great passion for music, so Alan encouraged Darni to take part in a forthcoming school concert. This gave him the opportunity to perform with a group of other students who shared similar interests and that then gave him an immediate peer support group.

Over the course of this time, Alan spoke to Darni’s mother and reassured her that he was receiving the support he needed at school and was making great improvements, not only in his attendance but also his achievements and friendship groups. Alan went on to help Darni’s mother refer Darni to a child psychiatrist for his OCD once a week, which really helped them learn techniques and skills to manage his behaviour.

As a result of Alan’s early intervention, Darni’s attendance improved dramatically and being a part of the school concert helped build his confidence and improve his relationship skills. Alan had not only helped resolve the immediate issues, but empowered Darni and his mother to help themselves and give them the confidence to go forward and make the most of Darni’s education and opportunities that are open to him.

Darni’s mother said:

“I was amazed that Alan had taken the time to research both Darni’s conditions and ensure that Darni was comfortable and secure in his daily routine. He has given Darni the support to believe in himself. Without Alan, Darni and I would be at a loss."

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