phasmid

^^Up^^ Sorry, just want people to see my link. In light of Warnock comments I feel this is even more of an issue than ever!

Agree with Zemanski. If they do try and push this through without proper consultation with you you CAN get it thrown out and make them start all over again. When you get your copy acknowledge reciept and tell them you will have comments to make on the statement AFTER you have taken advice. If you don't like a part of it you are (as with IEP's) entitled to have them make changes - do not let them try and say otherwise!

My own son is proof that for some, in his case a diagnosis on the Autistic Spectrum, mainstream education CAN work with little or no 'special provision'. For others, and I have BEEN PART OF THIS, little adjustments CAN make inclusion work. The biggest problem is for the children where more of an effort is needed. Then it boils down to the money - and THAT is where inclusion can go wrong, when the LEAs quibble over support because of 'funding issues'! In many cases the inclusion of the child isn't the issue - it is the lack of funds to support the child that is the issue!!

My son is in mainstream and he loves it,more to the point they love him! He was diagnosed at nearly 11 yrs. Before that, I won't deny there were problems. Most of these, surprise surprise, were around playtimes and lunchtimes. We didn't spot the problem although, we were working on it with the schools concerned. When we twigged what was wrong (the school too a few days later) everything fell into place! He was diagnosed within 6 months. The school he was at were fantastic - we talked to each other frequently. That (and I cannot stress this enough!), made a huge difference to how he coped, and how they coped with him. When he transfered from middle to upper we got talking to them nearly a year before he went up. They got to know us, we got to know them and Phasmid Jr had extra visits to the school to meet his new teachers and get to know the layout of the school. Shortly before the end of his final term at middle we wrote out a 'This is Pahsmid Jr' letter for his new school. It described what sort of things would upset him, how he would react and what they could do to help him cope. The school said nobody had ever done this before and what a brilliant idea it was. It was copied to all the staff he was going to have teach him the next year - we know this as we saw the copies on his first parents evening. Whats more we could tell they had read it too. They went out of their way to help him setlle. Problems have occured...BUT, they have nipped them in the bud. They have done all we have ever asked (and often more). But all the time we keep talking. They phone/write when something is going to change routine and we let them know of home issues that may affect Phas Jr at school. The important thing (academically) is he is a high flier (his predicted grades for GCSE's have blown us away). They have kept him working at things, kept him interested and kept him keen. He is thriving. They describe him as a model student. We describe them as simply fantastic! He to used to come home and rage. But home is the place where it is safe to 'let it out' after keeping things in check all day. It is not unusual - that said it rarely happens these days (he is going on 16). Bullying has occured, despite the best efforts of both schools.However, they dealt with it well. Informing us if anything had occured at school and we inform them if it happens on the way home - they always take it seriously and have always met it head on, sorted it and made sure we knew the 'who's, what's and whens etc' Soooooooo, if your son's happy and making progress it can continue. Transfer time has to be well thought out - but you can do much of this yourselves as well as what the schools arrange regarding this, you should get talking to the new school well ahead of time. Hope that helps settle your mind. I know only too well that we have been lucky. My job is in education and perhaps 'knowing the ropes' made a difference - I don't know. But we, and he, are living proof that mainstream can work for some. Good luck.

Gordie's advice is spot on. It is not unusual to be turned down for DLA - they do this as most people shrug their shoulders and just accept it! DON'T! Either ask for it to be reviewed or appeal. Then, as Gordie says, it is worst day scenario on everything. Do not attempt to lie (they'll catch you out). Just tell it like it is the day from hell. Another tip is, in the box where they ask this, is to agree to a visit from one of their Medical assessors,BUT!!!! at this point put down that said assessor MUST be ASD trained (or at the very least aware)!!! Hope that helps

Well done for sticking to your guns. You want the above retractions IN WRITING, do not accept just a verbal apology. Likely as not that will mean the records haven't been altered. You would be well within your rights to ask to see these files (Data Protection/Freedom of Information acts) and check this has, in fact, been done. Hope T is settling OK.

IF it is of any use I have the full months worth of the 'You and Yours - Autism' on cd. Happy to arrange to send a copy to you (via board admins if you'd prefer and they are willing).

Scotland has a different education system to England and I don't think SEn provision is handled in the same way (I don't know for certain so I stand to be corrected). So sorry, but I don't think I could use your responses in the findings. If, however you would like to copy and paste the questions into an e-mail and send your answers to me directly I may be able to use them as a comparision. Phasmid_uk@yahoo.co.uk

Which is why I want to teach! I want to know that wherever I am schoolwise I am in a position to not let that happen. (does that sound awfuly big-headed? I hope not, it isn't meant to.)

admum, firstly thank you for filling in the questionnaire for me. Secondly I am truly sorry if it has dragged up into the present, things that happened in the past and this has caused you any distress. I hope, I really do, that when I have finished the dissertation I can use it in a positive way and try to make some difference to those children out there who the 'system' overlooks, shoves aside etc. One thing is for certain, I'll talk the hindlegs of any donkey who will listen.

Congratulations and well done to you and your husband. Had I been on here when you first posted, the advice you recieved is exactly the same as I would have given to you. It does show that it is important to do your research and to go in prepared. I would however caution you not to resist attempts to include 'other children' in sessions with his 1-1. After all it is impossible to teach social skills in total isolation!

Oh boy, what a flipping mess. One thing at a time. I would be asking what the hell the pysch was doing by sending the report to anyone other than those you had given permission for. I would be looking for a written apology from them at the very least. The SENCo was, in my opinion, bound to reply to the letter. Unless she was aware that she shouldn't have had it, why wouldn't she? That said, to put in writting things which you are able to prove are wrong is simply asking for trouble! As someone else has already pointed out, the school will have a set complaints procedure. Get a copy (they CANNOT refuse you a copy) and follow it, to the letter. Likewise the LEA procedure. If you try to skip a part they will use it against you. Red tape, I know, but don't fight against it - fight with it. Everything in writting is my motto. If you are unhappy with the senco's response to this letter (and her cc's of it to all and sundry) tell them to strike this off the record as she is responding to information she should not have been party to. As for Monday well, if they're so keen I'd take them up on it. If the agreements have all been put into place for him they should expect him to be there and everything should be waiting for him. I'd have gone with a gradual return, but if thats what she wants....

Zemanski, I know exactly what you mean about some parents simply not knowing what there child is entitled to. The system is , it seems, happy to let them slip through the net. That should not be allowed to happen. I have raised more than once that parents may not realise that: 1. There is anything wrong. 2. That things can be done to help their child. The system seems to take little account of the fact that parents themselves may have SEN issues and need help to ensure their children get help. To me that is a huge failing...it's criminal! In the early days we came close to withdrawing Phas Jr - we didn't and, in his case, that was the right thing to do. I can, however fully understand why plenty do! As you say: "several of us are teachers/ LSAs etc ourselves and we're probably even more frustrated with the system because we see the problems from both sides"

NO! It is of use. Please fill the questionnaire in. You could add dates in the final box.

I will look it up in the morning and post it for you, but, under the SEN CoP it clearly states that the LEA MUST inform you in writting of their decsion of their reasons for turning down a request for assessment. In this letter they are obliged to tell you the procedure to appeal against their decsion. If they have failed to do this you may well be able to appeal against the time ruling as you were acting under advice from PP (who, quite frankly ought to have known this!). Look up the Local council ombudsman service. HTH

Ah yes, the ASBO thread... It got a bit heated there for a while but, it has settled down a bit since! Haven't seen much of good ol' Barriesmart for a few days - at least not under that user name! I am really pleased with the response so far. Over 20 replies and the site has only been live for a few hours. I would like a good (high) 3 figure response from a wide range of parents with differing SEN issues. That would give my research some really solid substance. If anyone knows of any other SEN websites where the link could be posted please, please, please pass the link on or let me have the web address for the site.

Meant to add; If any of your children were diagnosed whilst at mainstream primary (even if they are not there now because of age or educational need) then your experiences will still be a valuable addition to the research data.

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. I just wish I could have included SEN from pre-school to 16. But my area of study ia aimed at the area I want to teach, which is priamry. Personally I feel that not enough research has been done regarding the support offerd to parents during and after the diagnostic process. From my own, parental, experiences I know only too well that what should happen doesn't often take place. It is also the case that some staff in mainstream do care and get as equally annoyed and upset as parents when the system doesn't respond or responds so slowly it may as well not respond! But, there are some of us out there who aim to try and change this. It won't happen overnight, but I really do believe it can happen. Mainstream isn't right for all, I am well awre of that, but with a bit of effort it can do a better job than it is for some. I hope my research will help to enlighten a few minds. Who knows I may even try and persuade someone to publish it if I think its good enough - try and reach a few more minds. In the meantime the fight for our kids goes on, I hope I can help a bit. Phasmid

I am the parent of 2 children with SEN, 1 has partial hearing loss and 1 has Aspergers Syndrome. I am currently a SEN Teaching Assistant in a mainstream primary school in the East of England. I am aiming to become a qualified teacher specialising in SEN. I am currently studying SEN provision in MAINSTREAM ENGLISH Primary schools as my final year dissertation for a BA (Hons). a segement of my paper will be focussed on parental views of SEN provision and family support, in England. Below is a web link to my site: http://phasmid.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/ I would be very grateful to any uk based parents who can spare me the time to fill the questionnaire in for me. I believe that things could be much better than they are and hope my research will provide proof of this. Many thanks Phasmid.