older preemies

[LouiseMarie]

Hi, just wondered if anyone else was in a similar situation with their premature babies who have now grown up. My dd was born at 25wks and is now 12. We have been through recurrent hospitalisations, attempting to back-year, development delays, speech therapy, child mental health assessments - the lot! I am really happy that she has managed to remain in mainstream school and has no medical problems at all :) My worry is though is that she seems incredibly 'young' for her age - perhaps displaying more like an 8 or 9 year old socially. She is incredibly shy and withdrawn and now she is at secondary school the gap seems even greater. I worry that she is becoming more and more vulnerable and isolated. She does activities out of school but lacks so much confidence or exhibits confidence when perhaps it isn't appropriate (she displays some asd and ocd) Does anyone else here have older preemies that would be happy to share experiences and offer advice?

[Free4all]

My DD1 was born at 29 wks and in SCBU for 2 months. She's almost 6 now and was diagnosed with Selective Mutism 18 months ago, having gone 15 months at nursery without speaking one word to anyone there. With the school's support, she's making slow, steady progress and will speak in her normal voice in certain situations - like show & tell, and in small reading groups. I've done some research on the internet, and it seems SM is more a genetic thing than a pre-term thing....but it still makes us wonder. Other than the SM, she's a happy, healthy little girl.

[mymatemax]

Louise, your dd sounds very similar to my ds2 he is 10 and is very passive & quiet, painfully shy etc. He has been dx'd with ASD, OCD and learning difficulties he also ahs v mild cerebral palsy. In many ways he is not typical of achild with autism (if there is such a thing) but the dx has helped him get the additional support. He has managed at MS primary with support but as you say the gap seems more obvious, he is very immature (he is sitting next to me kissing his teddy). He is transfering to special school for secondary as it seems the most appropriate place for him.