smiley

Just wanted to give you some of these <'> <'> <'> My little lad self-harms too and it's awful to see. More often than not - i'm more upset than he is. Could you call CAMHS yourself?? I was told today that if i'm really desperate i can call and i may be able to get to see someone sooner. I think self-harming and running away is putting your son at risk = desperate in my book. Hang on in there xxxxxx

Absolutely to all that was said above!! How nice to see Aspergers as something the child cannot help. Cried my eyes out!

With us it was the pead....she was a ray of light, competely understood what i was telling her, and has talked to me well over the alocated time for consultation. The same with the speech therapist.....over and above talking about speech problems......M's initial assesment went on for an hour and a half.......i was still talking to he another hour later, her advice and input has been tremendous.. M's previous headmistress (the new one began this term)......she loved all of the children in her school, which was obvious by the reaction the children gave her. She worked endlessly for the SEN children - often in her own time, unpaid. Everyone of these people has recieved a letter from me thanking them for their help.......and they have loved to know they've made a difference. Wonderful people.

Hi everyone, Those of you who read my thread about M's school will understand the trouble i've been having... (M's 6 and has been diagnosed with Aspergers...) I found out (via another mum) that M's class are going on a trip to the local common tomorrow...i haven't been told. M has no idea. I cannot begin to imagine how upsetting this is going to be for him. The home/school book hasn't been filled in from the first day it began - despite me asking repeatedly. I'm there every morning and every time after school when i collect him - surely they could have told me? Now what do i do???!!!

<'> <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> Have some more of these, i wish i could give you some advice. It must be a horrible shock to get all that dumped on you in one go. Try to keep your chin up xxxxxxxxx

That's sweet Tez. I always make a point of saying thanks to someone who's helped us. It's a huge buzz for them (i'm sure they will appreciate it, even now) and does help me to balance all the bickering we have to go through with schools.

I'm a bottle it up until i explode kind of person. For a friend having troubles i am outraged, angry, ready to fight, for them. But for my own worries, i'm more - everythings fine - 'twiddle-de-dee' kind of person. I'm the one who always has a huge grin on her face.........and then crumbles as soon as i get through the front door . I'm getting better at sticking up for my son. Just not so good at giving myself a break.

Thanks for showing us that Simon - Joe sounds like a really nice guy

Same here........ Constant worrying.... No sleep...... Stressed up top eyeballs...... Feeling low most of the time..... Constant headache (daisy - i can relate to you hun, at the moment the Drs calling it M.E., last year it was Lupus, the year before M.E., the three years before that....Lupus....seems to depend which neurologist i get lumped with...) Two jobs and still no money.... Worry,worry, worry..... But... I manage because i have to, because no matter how much my little boy/school/ ignorant people, drivesme up the wall, i love my son, absolutely and completely. And i manage because i come on here - get advice, have a moan, (or read 'the batcave' and have a giggle ). <'>

<'> <'> <'> Have some of these - sorry i can't be more help xxxx

Hi Carole - I'm in Hampshire, north hants. Quite literally on the border of Berkshire (at the bottom of the garden ) and Surrey. My school's LEA is Surrey.....

Thanks Phasmid - you're a star Just found out - the LSA in M's class (who works full time) is leaving in November. The head is advertising for a special needs support person (obviously to work with M as it says with knowledge of Aspergers - and he's the only one in the school). But she's advertised for 16 hours per week, and she's put mornings, when i know (from the meeting) most of the problems happen in the afternoon. Can i add to this letter going to the head, that i feel, following our little 'chat' on monday, that M needs the help in the afternoon?? Or would that be pushing it abit??

Thank you........the thought still makes me grin I need to do this letter to the head.......going to include... request for SEN policies.....involved in IEP...and need a new IEP ASAP.....what else? At the moment all i'm doing is doodling a picture of the head.....with a BIG axe....some punchbags.........and a stick of dynamite..... All fun.......but not exactly productive.......

Hiya, I've heard a couple of post mention Autism Teams going into schools.....does every area have a team like this......i'm curious.....

Hubby has a play........55% EQ........26 AQ........ Ps, he's coming to play too - his tag is.....mabsoh....... be nice!! <'>

12% on that one xxxxxx

~Why does it not surprise me to find out PP is funded by LEA!!!!! Right................. This morning.......... Teacher legged it as soon as she spotted me - became VERY busy sorting out bits of paper . The Head was hovering in the corner of the classroom and the LSA was stood, camera in hand, ready to take pictures for visual timetable..... In stomp I, trying not to giggle (I know, i know, it's not funny - but, you should have seen their faces!!). And my darling boy, true to form, anounced to me - (and everyone in my village by the volume of his voice ) that he needed a poo, right now.......and mummy, you have to come with me. Left them stood there for a good ten minutes (M sings whilst on the loo - so we had a good sing-song, transformer style ) and then came back into the room. No-one had moved. I handed a HUGE envelope to the LSA with 1) good old oasis pack explaining Aspergers..... 2) A 20 pont inclusion guide for teachers of Asperger children and... 3) Autistic Spectrum Disorders - A guide to classroom practise. Smiled sweetly and said 'thought i'd bring these in for you to take a look at - might be helpfull'. Then found teacher....told her i'd handed the pack to LSA - as they clearly don't talk to each other - and told the Head she'd get her copies when i collect M. (Thank gawd i get paper and ink free from my big bruv) Gave my gorgeous boy a hug and kiss and went on my merry way! And your right phasmid, i did feel as though you lot were stood behind me <'>

Hi anxiousmum, He does sound very much like my son who's 6 and has been diagnosed as having Aspergers. I'm not medically trained, so i can't give you a definate answer. All i can advise is you keep pushing for him to be assessed - do you have CAMBS (Child and Adolesent Mental Health Team) team that you know of? - Your son's school should know - i actually dug up the number and phoned them direct. They were the first people to really help me - but it's different for everyone. Sending you some of these <'> <'>

HHHHhhhmmmmmm 60% !! Sounds about right - im always the one giving it this... The question about landing flat on your face didn't have the answer i wanted though...... "Watch hubby laugh hysterically, smile serinely, get up and kick legs from under him.....point and laugh...."

Drives you crazy doesn't it...... I'm just beginning to realise the battle i have on my hands... Nellie - That was something i asked today. The IEP i was given with the bits sent to the EP was actually written last year - it has on it IEP no.1. I asked if i could see the 'other' IEP's as he's been at SA+ for so long. Got lots of confused looks - i think, but not sure, that this is the only one. It hasn't been looked at this term - as far as i could tell - hasn't really been looked at all year. Just something they thought they'd do to cover their collective behinds i think. I asked to be included in the next review of his IEP (due November) - EP agreed with this and has put it on her stratigies notes (i've asked for everyones minutes and took some of my own). EP noticed that the IEP was probably useless to M as none of it relates to him; ie; nothing social, emotional etc.....just about behaviour and bloooooomin' eye-contact!

I put 6-12 months..............that just doesn't include the three years of begging everyone for help!!

The positive thing to come out of the meeting.........that i'm now far more aware of how c**p the teacher is! I suppose that the EP and SALT are now sitting on them and making them help Michael.... As i said - the meeting went on for two hours, most of which was spent explaining to the teacher and classroom assistant what Aspergers is and how it affects M. The teacher has absoulutely no understanding of it at all Firstly we were discussing the problems they were having in the classroom with M and what stratigies should be put in place. (Erm.. he's been at action plus since his first term at school (YR!)- would have thought they'd have done this by now) They are having difficulties getting him to join in - be part of the group.....the EP and I both said M probably doesn't feel the need to be part of the group.....Hence the discussion about social skills They were saying there is no logic to when he will join in or not (assembly etc). Some days he does no problem - other days he says he can't. I explained to them (through gritted teeth) that M cannot remember or learn or think back to previous days, therefore they should not assume he can do these things without prompting.... The EP suggested visual timetables/home school books. The teacher said 'what a great idea!' - i've been trying to get her to do this since the begginning of term! The teacher went through a day they had last week as an example. The children were doing writing in groups. She told M to do his work - when he didn't she told him to go to the bookcorner to look at a book. After ten minutes of looking at the COVER of the book (thats what she told him to do! - she said he was being deliberatly awkward!) he went back to the teacher and started 'disrupting' the class by dancing in front of the her. She asked M if he wanted to work - he said yes - so she sent him back to his table. He didn't get to the table and began to wander around the classroom and out throught the door. She told him off and sent him to the book corner to stare at some more book covers............. At this point i exploded!!!!!! I asked if she'd made it clear to M what the work was, where he should sit, who could help him if he needed it etc etc etc...... Thankfully the EP was just as stunned and backed me upa ll the way. It went along like this throughout most of the meeting. I seem to be in the c**p area for PP - she sat next to me and didn't utter a word (until it came to stetmenting - then she sided with the head i've found out she used to be one....). Then the statementing bit. They tried the 'he won't get any extra money if he's statemented - it's the same amount as school action plus'. I was ready for this one and went into the ' but, the money he gets from a statement will go to him........and only him'. They didn't have an argument for that one considering M gets NO help at school. But that's where the problems begin.....(feel free to correct me - wouldn't surprise me if they've lied!)......because he has had no help the LEA will probably reject a statement because the school need to have shown they've tried everything and he's still not keeping up. The EP wants them to put her stratigies into place and 'review statementing' around Xmas!! (He's been on School Action Plus since October 03!!!! - haven't tried anything??) I'll try to add bits as i remember them - heads bit jumbled up with it all. Ho hum....off for some of this

The meeting was this morning...... One little snippet for you.... EP to Teacher "How's Michael's social skills coming along" Teacher to EP "It's a social thing is it?" Am too p************ to type And PS; Parent Partnership woman didn't utter a word.....

Appologies if this has been here before (i'm sure it must have been - just can't find a thread!). When a child is at school action plus they get a certain amount of funding right? When a child is Statemented they too get a certain amount of funding....... Now, my sons school say it is not worth statementing him because they will get no extra money to help. My argument is; but the money from the Statementing funding will go to him and just him..... Whereas the money from funding for SA+ can go anywhere.... Am i right in this??