sue1957

From the prospectus: "Holidays in term time At a recent headteachers meeting we have been issued with a new directive regarding school attendance. This directive clearly outlines the importance of children attending school and the impact on their learning when they are absent. It also notes the negative affect on the class when an absentee returns and has to ?catch up? as time for learning is taken from the other children in the class. During this meeting it was clearly outlined that parents are only entitled to apply for authorised absence under ?exceptional? circumstances (no more than 10 per academic year). These exceptional circumstances would not normally include holidays taken in term time and all heads have been instructed not to sign ?holiday forms?. The directive from the DfES is that children should be at school, when school is open, absence from school adversely affects their learning. The directive went on to state that schools should, where possible, enquire on the ?first day of absence?, if the absence is not reported directly to the school by the parents in case of child protection issues. This now changes the way that we have been operating here at X as I have to follow the directive given to me by the LEA, in any case, it is hard to argue that children?s learning is not affected when they are absent from school. What does this mean for you? Normally no holiday forms will be authorised, as parents would have to give reasons in their application for why they are unable to take their holiday at appropriate times. ?Cost? and a ?once in a lifetime trip? would not be a justifiable reason. If your practice is to take your child away from school for an annual holiday this will now be unauthorised and will count as such on their statistics (and also the overall school statistics). It has been suggested, in the press, that travel agents will, at sometime in the future, have to enquire whether children who should be in school have been given authorisation by the school. Any longer absences without explanation i.e. more than 5 days will need to be referred to an Education Social Worker, who would follow up the referral with an appropriate response either a letter or home visit. They are able to issue a fixed penalty fine. Recently, it has been reported, a family in X were fined over ?600 by this method. How this will operate here at X No holiday forms will be approved unless under exceptional circumstances. Unexplained absences of 5 days or longer, will be reported to the Education Social Worker as per LEA guidelines. I must stress that this is a directed change of policy, and I fully appreciate the effects it will cause. The changes are likely to continue to be tightened as the Government seeks to improve school attendance across the Country. Perversely, our school statistics are likely to show a worsening of our schools attendance." I think they are mixing truancy and holiday together under holidays in term time. This doesn't match either the LEA leaflets or the Dfes website, but with a complaints panel batting for the LEA ......

Thanks very much Phasmid for your reply. I appreciate the time you have put into it. Our letter (which was written after the HT had ignored a letter from us) was addressed to the Clerk to the Governors who (and we genuinely didn't realise this at the time, although it shouldn't make any difference) is also the HTs secretary. We asked for a review of the school's interpretation of holiday policy, but unfortunately the HT appeared to take it as a personal attack, which it most definately wasn't. We had expected a complaints panel hearing, in private. What we got was the HT refusing to see us on an unrelated matter without the CofG present, because we had put a complaint in (CoG available at 8.30 in the morning or late on a Friday afternoon). Then when the HT was away the school did not want us to come in and discuss a bullying incident until the HT came back the following week. (We insisted it couldn't wait and saw the deputy). The staff obviously knew. It was a phone call from the vice chair about convening the complaints panel which alerted us to the fact it had been discussed at the full meeting. They had actually expected to convene a panel from people attending this meeting.... (which the school prospectus appears to allow). Things escalated from there. Mm lots to think about. Thanks again for the info and advice.

Twenty years ago I was the parent of an ADHD child. It didn't "exist" then either and I was the one they wanted to get help, I apparently just needed psychological help for my first time mother anxieties. I have a book on ADD/ADHD by a Dr Amen, he has a website with brain scan info on different types of ADD/ADHD.......... http://amenclinics.com/bp/atlas/ch12.php

After intimidatory remarks by the HT at the new parents evening, we got the LEA to confirm - in writing - the holiday in term time policy. On asking for holiday, the school didn't even ask for our reasons and refused to authorise any at all. When we queried this, quoting the LEA letter we had received, they told us in writing that if we went on the dates we wanted we would be reported to the educational social workers as we were taking 11 days (Friday to Friday flights). Our complaint to the governing body was then discussed at school, and the HT refused to see us about an unrelated matter without the chair of governors being present. Our letter was then read out at a full governors meeting, and a vote of confidence made in the HT. As the complaints panel was at this meeting, after our written discussions with the LEA, the school had to find a complaints panel from another school. They got the complaints panel from the school they are a feeder to (and one my daughter starts at in September). The matter dragged on for weeks while they found the so called "impartial" panel, and we had to attend a meeting 2 days before going on holiday. Even though we provided the complaints panel with written evidence of the LEA guidance we had received, and information downloaded from the Dfes website, and written proof that the governing body has lied about the handling of the complaint, the complaints panel has done a complete whitewash, just one of the things said is that they are "satisfied that Mr x acted properly and in response to directives issued by the LEA." (Different advice to what the LEA were giving parents at the same time ). Having been on holiday, we are now expecting to be reported to the educational social worker as per the HTs original written threat. We are now exercising our right to appeal to the LEA for the original complaint, and are considering a separate complaint about the conduct of the governing body, both on this and other matters. Critical friendship is non existant, its a buddy system, and parents currently have no hope of getting anything improved, or a fair hearing if they dare to question any of the school's policies. Sorry, rant over. Anyway can anyone tell me what their own schools/LEA's are enforcing about holidays in term times? I have downloaded information from the Dfes "Advice and guidance to schools and local authorities on managing pupil attendance" and Statutory instrument 1995 no 2089 the Education (Pupil Registration) regulations 1995 and I cant see that the LEA/school has the legal right to report us to the educational social worker. It would help to know if this is now being brought in nationally, or if our LEA is trying it on. Is anyone else's LEA doing this for holiday in term time? Any advice gratefully received! Awkward squad parent.

I'm not intending to be controversial but I don't think MMR (or mercury) are the only considerations. Apart from any mercury/MMR issue, there's also the fillers. There's a list of some potential ones at http://www.mercola.com/2001/mar/7/vaccine_ingredients.htm Vaccination has an effect on the adrenal glands, which if they are overwhelmed can result in decreased ability to cope with stress. It may be a factor in why some people are convinced that MMR caused autism in their child, rather than just the MMR itself. But what about the possibility that ANY vaccination could trigger it in susceptible children? It could be the challenge of MMR on the adrenal glands, (or even several challenges from single jabs, which apart from more shocks to the adrenal glands, introduce more fillers). So apart from the vaccine itself, the fillers, there's the condition of the adrenal glands at the time of vaccination, (perhaps connected to genetics, stress in the womb, birth complications etc) and what other stressors follow vaccination. For instance might there be an allergic/immune/stress response to a substance that is ingested or absorbed every day from food and toiletries etc, for which the body might have been ?primed? by a vaccine filler? An example is that formaldehyde has been used as a vaccine filler, and is found in some toiletries, including children's bubble baths. Maybe the research parameters need to be widened?

If anyone fancies a little reading on the subject of electromagnetic impulses and fields....... try this one! Scary! http://www.mercola.com/article/microwave/hazards.htm

Jaded, I also find it time consuming drafting my replies to posts, and often the topic has moved on before I get round to posting at all. Since my long posts on another thread that the moderaters felt necessary to step in on, I dread to think how much time I've since spent drafting and redrafting replies that I then didn't post. I've pretty well decided to give up contributing to anything that could get remotely controversial. I also feel out of step sometimes, but I just don't have the time, and have decided its just not worth the stress. But I'm going on holiday next week, and by the time I get back I may have changed my mind!

I have seen a list of the senses in a book which included a sense called "eidetic imagary" which I think just means having a mental picture of unusual vividness and detail as if actually visible. As an eidetic is someone who is able to see eidetic images, I had thought they had unusual ability with this particular sense, which blindness for example could make more acute because of its survival value? If this is a sense, it could be hyper or hyposensitive, the same as any other, and theoretically could be subject to synesthesia like the others? Is this the type of thing you mean? The book gives 19 senses, but I think there are probably more. The senses are one of my interests, so would be interested in anything you come up with.

I'm interested in the topics about light sensitivity, but in our case it wasn't migraines etc, but connected more with fear and phobias. My son was very light sensitive when he was younger. He insisted on wearing "the hat" every time he went outside. It was a blue peaked cap, and there was real problems if we couldn't find it. Even with it, he hated being outside for long. In his case it turned out to be fluoride in toothpaste causing the light sensitivity. (We don't have artificially fluoridated water). Within a few days of removing fluoride, his light sensitivity dropped, and he started choosing to go outside, without the hat. Without the sensitivity, he didn't need the hat ritual. He was just too young to understand or verbalise what he was feeling, so probably developed the hat ritual to make going outside into light more comfortable. The light sensitivity crept up very very slowly, from when we introduced brushing his emerging teeth. Does anyone else have experience of or suspect a problem with fluoride and light sensitivity? Fluoride was also responsible for my son's food phobia. I can't be sure but I think this was because he somehow sensed that he was being poisoned through his mouth, but didn't know what, so developed the phobia and rituals about food in an effort to try to protect himself. When he was no longer being poisoned brushing his teeth, the food phobia also disappeared.

You could try http://www.bibic.org.uk/newsite/about/what.htm They do assessments, done by a team, and they come up with strategies for the parent to use at home, and I think they write to schools etc. Its near Bridgwater, Somerset. I've done a few seminars there on ADD/ADHD/AS, early behavioural indicators of learning difficulties etc, that they run for continuing professional development. Might be worth a phone call or email to get some information. Good luck.

Thank you Ian for sending me the ebooks on signs symptoms assessment screening techniques over view Have made a start, really interesting, helping me with personal research already. Thankyou for sharing the information so generously.

Doesn't need to be your husband Can you find someone else who would stay completely calm but be prepared to park themselves til they get the email? You could write and say that you haven't yet had the copy of the email, and would like it by (date). If it hasn't arrived by then, then my representative (Name) will call in on (date and time) to collect it. They can then just go in, politely ask for it, and any problems just take a seat and say they'll wait for it. The representative either leaves with the copy email, or a letter from the school explaining why they have refused to hand it over. (Difficult if you are entitled to it? Will they want to say in writing they've lost confidential paperwork or destroyed it ) Letters get ignored, nobody rings you back when you phone, but someone calling in to collect something on your behalf, when you are entitled to it and have given proper notice..... Much more difficult to wriggle out off. Might be worth a try. Know anyone who could be your representative?

I know what you mean about atmosphere, but fortunately my husband doesn't seem to notice! He was even able to go and help at the Xmas fair, I had to stay at home, I just couldn't face the thought of it. He is able to separate the issue and he can "compartmentalize" it as he calls it and carries on regardless. (Able to compartmentalise or thick skinned, not sure which! ) The HT was the one who left early, before he had to go and draw the raffle, which my husband was organising We wrote to the governing body about the school's interpretation of the holiday in term time, which doesn't match county guidelines. The HT refused to consider any at all. Just said no outright. We then pointed out that we fulfil the criteria to be able to go, but instead of authorising 10 and leaving one unauthorised (we need 11 days not 10 because of flights) if we go we will be reported to the educational social worker. Because we wrote to the governing body, he then refused to talk to us about an unrelated matter without the chair of governors present and said that could only be at 8.30 in the morning, or late on a Friday afternoon because of the chair's working commitments. We then had to contact the school about a bullying incident at swimming and were told the HT was away, and it would have to wait til the following week til he was back and could arrange a suitable appointment (presumably at 8.30 in the morning or late on a Friday afternoon with the chair present). My husband emailed back and said an incident of bullying could not wait a week, and that they could give a suitable time for them, but that if more convenient he would be in after school and would wait til someone would see him. The deputy saw us (without the chair being present). But the school secretary is also clerk to the governors, and discussed our original complaint with staff at the school, and then allowed it to be discussed at a full governors meeting, so the complaints panel cannot be seen as unbiased, and the clerk would presumably normally minute the complaints panel meeting. So that's now the subject of a second complaint. Our correspondance to the school and the LEA about the mishandling of the original complaint has resulted in other concerns being raised, and we have been told by the LEA and the chair that we need to address these separately with the HT as they weren't the subject of the original complaint letter. So we are doing as we are told. One letter at a time. And offering to go in for a chat with the HT, with the chair present, when convenient, for each and every one. The atmosphere is likely to get a lot worse.

How'd you manage that then? I'll have to go back for another try. Brilliant! Look forward to day 2!

We have a complaint in to the governing body, which has escalated beyond belief, and now looks like going to LEA panel The biggest problem is that we are now also complaining about the clerk to the governors, who is also the school secretary. Mishandling of the complaints procedure etc etc conflict of interest Fortunately my husband is happy to go into the school office and ask for copies of anything. I am a nervous wobbling wreck about it all. He would politely ask in writing for what he wants, ask them to send it, or that if more convenient he will be in at (time) to collect it. He doesn't seem to get embarrassed, they know he means it. If you are worried about going in yourself, is there anyone who would go in and collect it for you? You could then politely write and say that you are still waiting for it, and that if it hasn't come by (date) then (person) will be happy to call in to collect it on your behalf. You need someone who, if they turned up and were fobbed off, would be happy to sit themselves down and say "I'll wait" The way we feel about the school, and the LEA at the moment, if you were within 50 miles my husband would probably offer to go in and collect it for you.

Hailey There's the possibility of some chemicals causing problems, for example fluoride is a hormone disruptor, amongst many other things. Are there any other hormonal problems? Might be worth checking if your water supply is artificially fluoridated, or even just high in natural fluoride, or if there are any other known environmental contaminants. It's probably not just one thing, for example a very low fat diet, or inability to digest fat properly may also have a bearing. It might be an idea to rule out environmental concerns first.

Natasha, Interesting that the writer is from the US, which is mainly fluoridated. http://www.fluoridealert.org/health/thyroid/ might be worth a look. I wonder how much of Australia is fluoridated.

It think it can be caused by stress, possibly by tension in the "flight or fright" muscles in the leg, one of which is responsible for walking on your toes.

Hi Helen, Nice to meet you. Snap to the home study colour therapy Sue

I don't believe its just a case of what you take, like fish oils or any other supplement to get essential fats. It can be a case of what you don't take, or don't eat. Eating damaged fats (trans fats found in margarines, processed cooking oils, partially hydrogenateds, processed foods such as crisps etc etc) damages essential fatty acids within the body. Its too much info to post here but a little quote from Udo Erasmus book "Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill" is "....trans fatty acids disrupt the vital functions of the EFAs. They worsen EFA deficiency by interfering with the enzyme systems that transform fatty acids into highly unsaturated fatty acid derivatives found especially concentrated in our brain, sense organs, adrenals and testes....." (So may potentially be involved with conditions concerning brain functioning and sensory problems? Adrenals (stress?) and testes... (mainly males?) So the more damaged fats we eat, then the less chance the fish oils have of working, or the higher the dose required maybe? A nice cheap supplement is to use seeds to get good fats, there's a blend of different ones to give a good mix, you refridgerate to keep them fresh, and grind in a coffee grinder (mine was a quid at a car boot sale) when you need them. A small amount can then be mixed in cereal, yoghurt etc. I've found that by removing the damaged fats, adding a cheap ground seed mix, if a child will eat oily fish a couple of times a week then you might eventually be able to drop the fish oil supplements completely. If not, you could give them a couple of times a week, or at least reduce the dose.

Carole, I've read somewhere that it can be related to eyestrain, which is another form of stress. Also have you been given any advice about avoiding certain chemicals that irritate the eyes? Just one of many irritants often found in shampoos and other toiletries is Propylparaben. (Synonyms 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid, propyl ester; Benzoic acid, 4-hydroxy-, propyl ester; Benzoic acid, p-hydroxy-, propyl ester; Propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate; Propyl parahydroxybenzoate; Propyl p-hydroxybenzoate; Propyl paraben) On the chemical database potential hazards advice: Skin, Eye and Respiratory Irritations: ... AS SATURATED AQUEOUS SOLN HAS BEEN NOTED TO BE MODERATELY IRRITATING TO THE EYE. [Grant, W.M. Toxicology of the Eye. 3rd ed. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas Publisher, 1986., p. 695]**PEER REVIEWED** There are many other possibles. Sue

Carole, the eyes can give big clues. My son had permanently enlarged pupils. Its not always so obvious though, sometimes its how the pupils react to light. The pupil may contract normally in strong light but not be able to hold the contraction for very long. I read in an article on the adrenal glands that these are stress signs. My son's eyes were a dull slate grey, he is now clearing to a slightly bluer colour, but the biggie is that his pupils are now not permanently enlarged. Its his stress levels, and his adrenal glands we are working with at the moment, with good results. It could be that stress stops the body detoxifying properly (as fight or flight takes priority) and so eye colour sometimes changes. My eyes were photographed a year ago, and again recently. They are definately changing as I am changing my own lifestyle to reduce stress. I reckon it will be a long time before I'm a blue eyed blonde though Perhaps I might eventually make it to blue eyed with a blue rinse!

I believe it. My Dad's eyes were very brown, then in later life he gave up smoking a pipe, and went on a special diet due to ill health. The outer parts of his iris went blue. My elder brother had hazel eyes. After a crisis he left for Spain, gave up alcohol, ate properly, destressed big time and when I saw him 6 months later, his eyes were also mainly blue, with only the odd slightly hazel area. I was fascinated. Not long after he started back on alcohol and the health kick stopped, they are now hazel again. I did an iridology course years ago. My brown eyes are apparently blue underneath. If only I can ever get a health kick to last long enough, who knows

I have some information on phobias, (my son was food and water phobic and agoraphobic). This might seem a bit of an odd question, but are there any other fears or phobias, apart from the germs, and can you give me the ingredients list of the kandoo wipe. You can PM me if you prefer. Sue

I went to a seminar on ADD/ADHD a couple of years back, and whilst they were talking I got distracted by the handouts and read ahead to the section on Adult ADD. I ticked every one of the boxes, I fitted the criteria exactly. I came home devastated that no wonder I had an ADHD child and a child with difficulties on the autistic spectrum, I was ADD it must be my fault.... But if I'm honest there is no history of ADD/ADHD in my family. I was neither ADD or ADHD as a child. As an adult, I would also say I sometimes have some very AS traits, and OC ones as well as ADD. What I have had is a great deal of stress in my teens (being sent to boarding school) followed by a disastrous marriage to an alcoholic. I was then a single parent for several years with a ADHD child, and an alcoholic ex husband. Although I went on to happily remarry and had 2 more children, (one AS) I was trying to juggle motherhood second time round, I was in a stressful job, and still fighting battles with my ex over access etc. Depending on which behaviours I exhibit during stress, someone might label me a number of things. But in my own case I have to say that I think my own problems, and my two sons ADHD and AS are lifestyle/stress based, not genetically based.