danny Report post Posted February 1, 2005 desperately need some help,my son has been in a residential assessment centre for the last nine months,while social services,education go through their JAP,JAFF,CHILD SPECIFIC MEETINGS. A systemic therapist from the local child and family clinic called a multi agency meeting yesterday and told me to take charge of things find a school and tell them all thats what we want.my son already has a statement and a diagnosis of as with secondary complication of very challenging behaviour.I cant get any help from anyone I cant carry on on my own fighting(I have been asking for help for 10 years now my son is 13,didnt get a diagnosis till late last year.anyone out can help even if its just a few words Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bid Report post Posted February 1, 2005 Hi Danny, Good places to start looking for a school are the NAS website and Gabbitas...sorry, I've lent my Gabbitas handbook to a friend and I can't remember the website, but I'm sure Nellie will magic it up! Have you talked to your LEA's Out of County Placements Officer? Our's was very helpful, providing me with names of schools to look at. It's awful to have all this responsibility, I know <'> I just worked my way methodically through the NAS list, and suggestions from the LEA. I found that by ringing the school I was soon able to find out if it was suitable, then I could ask for a prospectus. In the end I only visited 3. Good luck, and let us know how you get on. Bid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Helen Report post Posted February 1, 2005 Danny, For other internet search links, see http://www.oaasis.co.uk/ and see the information sheet "finding a SEN school" This includes a link to Gabbitas. This information was obtained from Kazzen161 from another thread. I really hope you manage to get something sorted for your son, my very best wishes, Good luck, Helen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nellie Report post Posted February 1, 2005 Hi Danny, I?m sorry your family has had such a difficult time. Was the assessment centre your son attended ASD specialist? Was it a therapeutic centre? Did they give a report (a service needs assessment) of their findings, saying what your son?s needs were and what provision was needed to meet those needs? Sorry for asking so many questions. Nellie xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
danny Report post Posted February 2, 2005 no the centre is not ASD specific,my son was accomodated under section 20 by social services,after asking for help for years they finally came on board in march 2003.A residential assessment placement for supposedly 12 weeks was arranged,in week 10 he was moved to another unit under CPR legislation due to apparent sexualised behaviour.The whole assessment was restarted,finally completed in october 03.Their recommendations were EBD school.Ipushed child mental health for an assessment which proved what I already knew in my heart,my son was ASD/aspergers +secondary socialised conduct disorder. He is still at the unit,gone through child specific,JAF,JAP.still nothing is happening.the only ones who seem to be doing anything is the youth offending team who also recognised something was wrong,his worker their has based his work on visual learning and has made progress,but its not enough,everyone has agreed time and time again what his needs are,all the professionals.Asystemic therapist called a multi agengy meeting last week and was appalled at how long social services have been messing around,he actually sais to me get the media involved but I dont know if it will do any good.Sorry to go on,the answer is yes all your questions regarding needs identified,provision of needs is accounted on my sons education statement Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nellie Report post Posted February 2, 2005 Danny, I am no expert, but I think you need the advice of a specialist in ASD. Someone who will give you the evidence to say what your son needs, you can then use this evidence to put pressure on your local authority to provide the correct provision. I don't think you should just pick any EBD school, many of these schools don't have the expertise necessary to meet the needs of children on the spectrum. It may be your child needs a more therapeutic setting to meet his needs. I think your son will definitely need an ASD specialist placement. The problem is finding the right specialist. Have you tried ringing the NAS education advocacy helpline, they are very experienced in these situations. It looks like your case has been very badly handled and you may have a case against your local authority. National Autistic Society (NAS) NAS Education Advocacy including Tribunal Support Scheme 0845 070 4002 Website: http://www.nas.org.uk I hope this has helped in some way, please keep us posted. Nellie xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
