Mother in Need

With this I meant, regarding what happens to the provision given on SA+. Isn't it always said that a school has to do everything possible to provide for a child's needs on SA+ level? So it seems weird to me that all this provision then suddenly disappears on receiving a statement, unless it has been specifically mentioned in that statement. In our case, the only provision they gave were those 16 hours classroom support; they didn't work, BUT now that he has his own designated support for 15 hours, and this woman is really good with lots of experience with ASD, she will definitely make those other hours work for him as much as she can. BUT this is possible only if he keeps those hours... Sorry, I don't want to seem greedy here or anything, but if this re-integration doesn't work, then it seems that his education will come to a complete stop for life. And as he is only 12, and basically hasn't had any this school year so far... The 1-2-1 is great, and she'll do what she can. But if she is there only for half the time, what will happen in the other half, especially in the first few months, is going to be just as vital. She suggested yesterday for him to only be in school for those 15 hours.

I hope that they'll say that than, in addition to SA+, though school could suddenly say they were giving him less than what they have been saying all along (which would be more plausible unfortunately). Fingers crossed. I actually have the feeling it will do! But that doesnt mean I want to loose those 16 hours altogether as those are exactly the missing hours, and this designated LSA really knows her stuff and she'll organise those others into actually becoming usefull : And yes Jen, It would make everyone's life's so much easier if everything was written out and CLEAR. So am I right that what happens re this query depends on in which county we are?

When a child gets a statement, does the help from SA+ get withdrawn? We have great news, it seems that my son will be awarded a statement with 15 hours of 1-2-1! And, for these hours to start immediately, so no waiting for the statement to be finalised (I haven't received the draft yet even), to allow my son to get back to school. This is great news, and has completely mind-boggled PP who has said from the beginning he wouldn't get one and we would have to go to tribunal. But, when I asked school what would happen the other 15 hours he is to be in school, there was silence. Then when I said that as school had been putting in 16 hours (well, supposedly anyway, not 1-2-1 nor with any knowledge and understanding whatsoever, but at times there was someone else in the classroom), that that would cover the whole week. That was definitely not to be, and they have made it clear that those 16 hours will be no more. Surely this can't be right? I thought that anything the school had implemented at SA+ was to be continued fully, even when not mentioned in the statement?

Jill's right, I've heard of that legislation as well. Sorry, but can't remember where either... Childcare is a real problem for me, in the way that I have absolutely NONE whatsoever for my AS son. There is no-one who is able and willing to care for him. I had booked for a day course with the NAS the other day, and on their documentation it said 'childcare provided'. So I thought, great, I can actually go for once. But no, it was not to be. Their statement only meant that they would pay for the childcare needed, but could not provide any. I have the give the lady her due, she did search long and hard for someone, but she also could not find anyone to care for my son.

Despite this, it took EOS (the local EOTAS team) still 3 weeks to contact us, and they were then going to wait yet another week before starting. I dug my heals in, managed to get 7 hours out of them for that first week (instead of our allotted 5) and am still insisting they give him the hours he missed out as it took them so long. On a positive note, the teacher has been absolutely brilliant with him and giving him a renewed sense that learning can actually be fun.

My 12 year old will not go in many other toilets either, he has to be certain that they are clean as to his standards. When out, I usually use the disabled facilities with him, and often have to use them first myself. Earlier on in the supermarket, I had to take him to the disabled and he would only stay in once convinced it was clean enough to use (meanwhile my shoppings which were waiting at the till were holding the queue up LOL). I don't know if the suggestion has been made to take him with you and 'go' together? Sorry if I offend or anything, I can't even take a shower without him present, so haven't got any feelings of modesty left. My 8 year old has taken some pictures for you, we'll pm them in a moment.

Wow, great work Phasmid! Thanks! That's something to go by at least. I have looked and looked in Cornwall's site, but cannot find anything more specific than what I already qouted earlier. Their search facilty is useless to say the least... I have never had anything in writing from the transport people, not when he was awarded transport, and not when it was withdrawn (they didn't even bother to phone me when they withdrew it, and still haven't aswered my calls re it). Something else to push for I suppose, but i'd prefer to push for some respite at this stage, i am too knackered to go on much longer.

This is all it says: not much policy to follow, isn't it.... my son has not yet got a statement...

Carole, I definitely won't send him back in without the help that he needs being in place. Sending him back in is only going to make the situation so much worse, and will make him more school phobic and loose all his trust into anyone being able to help him. Isn't NOT providing the help a disabled child needs disability discrimination, or will they simply say that as he is not yet statemented they have no obligations? I mean, if a child is deaf and has to go into school, not giving him a person to translate the lessons into sign language would mean he cannot go and hence isn't that the same as expelling? This is what the situation feels like to me, by them not providing for his needs, they are effectually expelling him, even now after they have 'offered' for him to attend. I am awaiting a return call from IPSEA.

My son has been off school since Jan 18. It's a long story, so I won't bore you with it, but basically, school said it was better if he were to stay home for a while. This followed a difficult time where he refused to go to school, and hit, kicked and punched his escort, and nearly ran away from school followed by school asking me to come and pick him up. On IPSEAs advice I wrote a letter to the Head asking why he was expelled. A week later, and I have still not received a response. During a multi-agency meeting on the 9th (arranged 3 weeks earlier), it was agreed that he has to be slowly re-integrated, starting with maybe 1 hour at school a day. School is to come up with a plan, I am to meet them on March 1st, and his re-integration will start the day after. AND they will finally take some advice from the ASD advisory person (&%$$%$?, WHY ONLY NOW AND NOT 1 1/2 YEARS AGO?) I received a message on the 10th, stating that my son is welcome at school anytime, and I can bring him in on Monday. BUT all will be as before, with no extra provision made. Obviously, this is totally useless and will only make matters worse. How can we be talking about slow re-integration one day, to totally throw him in with the lions the next? I do not understand why they have suddenly said this, nor am sure as to how to react to this.

The EWO says my son's transport has been withdrawn due to his aggressive behaviour, and I am now responsible for getting him into school myself. Can they make this permanent?, as the EWO did not seem to want to answer my question as to till when? I cannot get two children to two schools at the same time, I am on IS so can't afford the fuel anyway; do I have any rights regarding this? P.S. His aggressive behaviour in the taxi was due to school phobia due to school not recognising nor meeting his needs....

None whatsoever, anything he does, I have to be with him, and as I have another two kids as well, that becomes difficult. I do take him swimming etc, but that is as a family, it isn't an after school activity or such. Saying that, he doesn't want to, but then that is problably more because school is difficult enough and he just wants to be with his mum at home... There is absolutely nothing in this area for disabled children.

I have been trying to contact IPSEA for several days now (it is quite difficult for me to ring in the first place as I need a 'free' moment and the few I get are precious) but simply can't get through. It is either engaged or I get a message that tells me to ring during opening times - which I do! so why is that message there... I really need to talk to them and get some advice, but can't get through. Does anyone have any ideas of how else to contact them? They state clearly that email is not for advice, neither is the other number (only get another message, but never a person). What can I do?

Tez, is the need to have a responsible adult present a legal requirement, or is that just the way they would like it? (I was sort of hoping to use the odd hour of tuition as respite and go to bed or have a bath...). Elearning would require a computer and the knowledge to use it, and again an adult beside the child..the parent. Can they insist on that? jb, good luck!

You're an angel as usual! When you say 'for a while' are we talking hours or days? iT'S ON ITS WAY. tHANKS pHASMID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

well. I never did have to ask the psychiatrist, school decided he would be better of being at home for a while... and my, I am so not liking this. Before at least he was at school for one or two days a week, and at least that gave me somewhat of a break, but now... Can one ask for a home/school book to be in place in a statement of special educational needs? I mean, well, I have asked for that, but am I going to be able to insist on it? and can one also ask what kind of information goes in it?

We're a week later and I have still not had any news regarding this home schooling, nobody has offered any help (not that they ever have) and I am still stuck as anything. I need a shower, I am exhausted, his brothers are somewhat touchy, and I don't know what to do. Don't get me wrong, I love him dearly, and try not to show him my frustration, but I was already desperately in need of a break and instead I got him 24/7.

Phasmid and Clintess, or anyone else, I have exactly the same problem and have just drafted a letter to school also. I was looking around for some advice regarding what to put in, and came across this thread Would any of you be so wonderful and look through mine and give me some pointers?

I'm interested in this as well, if I can ever get my son back into school a home/school book is a vital necessity.

That's a complicated program, Tylers Mum, I personally prefer to use SErif PhotoPlus, it does nearly everything that Adobe does but is much easier to use. Often when you go to the Help bar at the top, it can give you either lessons or overviews etc, these can be very helpful.

Glock, though my son is 12 and youngest 8, what you wrote could have been written by me, word for word. It is all so true! oops, ggota go

Done. Not a bad one for a survey, certainly a lot better than the one from the NAS. I filled in for the good point 'the love I receive back'

My son's is very small, I often joke I need a microscope sometimes. I find his handwriting very difficult to read, and I am able to read most (doctors excluded). He too can not always read what he's written for his homework. He writes very slow and finds he can only manage with a pencil. When he writes with a pen (byro) his writing becomes worse still and slower too. He cannot keep up at school when there is writing to be done, though this is made worse by his dyslexia ofcourse. It took him 1/2 hour the other day to copy the word 'encyclopedia' from the whiteboard; I felt so sorry for him.

Unbelievable (I mean, yes I believe you Carole, but it is still unbelievable). Wonder what would be considered urgent then...