NickyB

That's great Jeanne

crikey Bid - glad you are OK. Hubby just got home

Blimey, BD, it's crazy, isn't it? Big DS gave up with the shool bus yesterday, and walked home. He got here at 6 o'clock Thankfully, we managed to get through Christmas lunch at school yesterday - the food arrived just before the blizzard hit. Me and the kids are on holiday for Christmas now, but poor hubby is stuck somewhere between Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells (he left work 2 hours ago ) Big DS has his birthday on Monday, and his Grandad was going to come for the weekend - but now he can't make it Hopefully we can still get to the panto tomorrow We have very little food left, as all my plans for getting the food shopping done yesterday were scuppered. I'm hoping we can get to a supermarket soon, otherwise it will be a rather unique Christmas dinner this year! Merry Christmas the you all

You will be missed Karen All the best <'>

Oh that's brilliant bid Go Meg

How exciting

Hello I found this in the SEN Code of Practice. Although it's not legally binding, it is what the school and LA should be doing : 9:32 Following the annual review meeting the head teacher must prepare a report, and submit it to the LEA no later than 10 school days after the annual review meeting or the end of that school term, whichever is the earlier. The report should summarise the outcome of the review meeting, setting out the head teacher’s assessment of the main issues discussed at the meeting; and the head teacher’s recommendations about any educational targets for the coming year; and any other steps that ought to be taken including whether the statement should be amended or maintained. The head teacher should always give reasons for the recommendations. The head teacher must send a copy of the report to all concerned in the review, including the parents and any relevant professionals. 9:33 The review report should be written as quickly as possible. The head teacher should make sure that the recommendations are clear and that any relevant professional reports are appended to the review report so that the LEA is able to review the statement and make decisions without any unnecessary delay. LEAs may find it helpful to offer guidance as to the form that reports should follow, or provide a common format for review reports for all schools in their area. The role of the LEA after receiving the review report 9:34 The LEA concludes the review process by considering the report of the review meeting and the recommendations prepared by the head teacher. The LEA must then review the statement, in the light of the report and recommendations and any other information they consider relevant. The LEA must decide whether to accept the head teacher’s recommendations. In particular the LEA must decide whether to amend or cease to maintain the statement. Within one week of making a decision, the LEA must send a copy of its decision on these matters to the head teacher, the child’s parents and anyone else they think appropriate. 9:35 Where the decision is to amend the statement, the LEA should start the process of amendment without delay. Unfortunately, the phrase 'without delay' is open to interpretation, but I think 2 months would definitely qualify as a delay. Hope that helps Nicky x

awwww they are so lovely

Hello Glad Reece is doing well. I've pm'd you x

Well done

Hello nev I had a similar scenario with my DS, although his anxiety was to do with the noise levels in the dinner hall. I am quite shocked to hear what the SENCO said. He may not be high on her list of priorities, but he is your only priority. The rest of her workload is of no concern to you My DS was given a little table, seperate from the other children, and had a screen around him to help 'block out' the noise. I'm not sure if that would be practical in your son's school? It doesn't seem to be too much to ask - you could point out the effect this is having on the rest of his day. It has to be better, for them as well as him, to keep his anxiety levels as low as possible. School are required to make 'reasonable adjustments' to meet the needs of children with SEN, and although I'm not sure, I don't see why that would not apply to lunchtimes as well as in the classroom. I hope you get it sorted out soon <'>

Hi BD I hope Ben had a good day with his friends. What you said about friendships is true in general I think. Many of my friendships have not lasted (mostly since Dss dx ) but the ones that have are the ones I care about. I hope you didn't worry too much, but if you're anything like me when big DS went out on his own for the first time, you were probably on edge until he got back Oh and well done Ben Nicky x

Glad you've had a better weekend. Fingers crosssed for tomorrow

Hello sally I found this page on the QCDA website. There is link to the 'KS2 Access Arrangements Guide'. It gives schools advice on what they should be doing to make exams available to pupils with additional needs. http://www.qcda.gov.uk/resources/publication.aspx?id=8db4b55d-04e7-4814-a65e-9e307d1e3cc0 Hope that's helpful

Hi Sally This is from the SEN code of practice: 8:113 When the responsibility for a child with special educational needs changes from the LEA maintaining the statement (the old authority) to another LEA (the new authority), the old authority must transfer the statement to the new authority. They may also transfer any opinion they have received under the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986 that the child is disabled. Upon the transfer of the statement, the new authority becomes responsible for maintaining the statement and for providing the special educational provision specified in the statement. 8:114 The duty to maintain the child at the school specified in Part 4 of the statement therefore also transfers to the new authority. The new authority may place the child temporarily at a school other than that specified in Part 4 where appropriate and sensible to do so – for example, where the distance between the child’s new home and the school would be too great – prior to the statement being amended in accordance with the statutory procedures. Otherwise, the new LEA may not decline to pay the fees or otherwise maintain the child at an independent or non-maintained special school or a boarding school named in a statement unless and until they have formally amended the statement. 8:115 The new authority may, on the transfer of the statement, bring forward the arrangements for the review of the statement, and may conduct a new assessment regardless of when the previous assessment took place. The new authority must tell the parents, within six weeks of the date of transfer, when they will review the statement and whether they propose to make an assessment under section 323. The old authority and the child’s school should alert parents to the educational implications of their proposed move and both the old authority and the new authority should be ready to discuss those implications with parents. Well that's what should happen anyway Hope that helps Nicky x

Well done

Sorry to hear about this Suzy I hope she's doing OK <'>

Great pictures Tally. I love the white lion

Hello and welcome As K says, just ask if you need any help Nicky x

Hello Frizz I don't have any experience of dyscalcula myself, but I have come across THIS ARTICLE which might be of interest. Nicky x

Thank you Lynne x

Hi It's DLA renewal time for DS2, who is 7 and has high-functioning autism. I've done most of it but I'm stuck on one bit. DS is currently receiving middle rate DLA for personal care. Part 27 says 'if the child has problems with personal care, tell us when they started to have the problems you have told us about.' Well, I'm not sure if that just relates to stuff like toiletting and getting dressed, washed etc. or if it includes all the other stuff like helping him deal with his behaviour problems and sensory issues. I'm not sure what date to put because obviously he's always had ASD - his date of birth, the date we first noticed problems or the date of his diagnosis? Oh I wish there was a seperate DLA form for non-physical disabilities. Help !!! <'>

Hello Lilypad It sounds like you had a really tough time today <'> My son is 7 and has ASD, and your experience was very familiar to me. As sinai says, the slight change to his routine could well have distressed him. If you know that you are going to do something different from normal, it may be an idea to try to pre-warn him. Does he read well? I write lists for my son, going through exactly what we are going to do, and crossing things off as we've done them. It takes a bit of getting used to, but if you can find out the sort of things that upset him, you can beging to anticipate any problems before they arise. It might help if you keep a diary for a couple of weeks as it might show up any patterns and flashpoints. As far as the shop goes, could you talk to him before you go in about what he would like, maybe narrowing his choices down to 'either x or y' ? Oh, and try not to worry about what other people think - they have no way of knowing what you have to deal with. I tend to just ignore it, or give people a smile and concentrate on my son. Easier said than done though You might want to have a look at the autism services directory - http://www.autism.org.uk/directory.aspx - for details of local support. Hope that helps and take care <'>

Hello lizj I claim Carer's Allowance in addition to the DLA for my son. I understand what you mean about not wanting to claim for looking after your own child. My feeling, however, is that I am restricted in what hours I can work because of my son's needs, and so my earning potential is decreased. Also, you should never underestimate the extra pressures you face in looking after a child with ASD. My other reason was that I have spent 20-odd years contributing to the Government's coffers, so why shouldn't I get something back Hope that helps <'>

Hi Tally I got my renewal letter for DS last week - his claim runs out in January. It said very clearly that if I don't get the renewal form in 'straight away' they may not have time to deal with our claim, and the payments will stop in January. I think it's unlikely that they have turned your renewal claim around that quickly, as they are asking for 3 months to do ours. I would give them a call, as if it is a mistake on their part, you will probably still end up having to pay it back. Better to find out now than have to pay a huge amount back later. Hope that helps Nicky <'>