NickyB

Thanks Lynne

Hello darky Actually, the same thing has happened to us with tax credits as well, so we've been hit twice. They have reduced our tax credits by £70 a month. The same thing happened last year because they use an estimated income until you give them the correct figure. DH took quite a large pay cut last June, so I expect we will get an increase eventually. It just makes me angry that they do this and just expect you to cope. We are now about £120 a month worse off until it is all sorted I hope yours gets sorted out soon

Hi trekster They didn't say it was a mistake (I suppose thery wouldn't though, would they?!!) - they just made it sound like it's the normal procedure.

Hello everyone I got a letter from the Carer's Allowance department the other day asking me to confirm my income details for the last year - fair enough, I thought, and sent it all back. I checked my bank statement today to find that I haven't had any Carer's allowance paid in since the end of March. I called them and the man said that until they have processed the form I sent, I wouldn't get any more money. He assured me it will be backdated when it's sorted out but couldn't give me any idea of how long it will take (just kept saying 'it won't take long'). Is this what normally happens, as I didn't get any warning of this? I've checked back on all my paperwork and there is no mention of an end date for my payments. It seems a bit unfair as these payments are aimed at low-income families and we may struggle to pay a couple of bills this month. Nicky x

Blimey, badders, it hard enough as it is

Hi all Well, having said I'd never do anything like it again, I am going to take part in 'Race for Life' in aid of cancer research. It's in Tunbridge Wells on May 23rd. I am taking part with my work colleague in memory of her Dad and my Grandad. We have a sponsorship page at http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/nickyandnatalie if you would like to sponsor us. Thanks <'> Nicky x

Thanks guys

Hello everyone I have received DS's proposed final statement today, and they have included everything I asked for!!! (I know, I can hardly believe it myself ) It states that his current school have to provide 25 hours support until the end of the year, when he will go to his new setting. It also states that he requires close supervision during unstructured times. A major factor in his recent exclusions has been the lack of such supervision, so I am very, very pleased. There I was gearing up for another fight, but now I don't know what to do!!! It's a weird feeling but I like it Thanks again for all your fab advice and support

Thanks everyone for your advice and ideas. That's given me plenty to think about over the break! The ASD unit don't have any spaces until September, so I don't like my chances of getting him there early. So, I think it will be a case of trying to get through next term as best we can. BD, I hadn't thought about bringing in outside help - I'll look into that. Thanks Have a lovely Easter everyone

Hi all DS has been excluded 3 times in the last two weeks for hurting staff and children. I am broadly supportive of the school in doing this as he does understand that he can't hurt people, it's just that he doesn't seem to be able to stop himself. However, I do feel that they could be doing more at breaktimes as that's when it all seems to happen. I have suggested that he be kept in at playtimes after Easter, and the SENCO said she would look into the feasability of that (it's really a question of them having the staff to supervise him). As he's going to an ASD unit in September, I am trying not to get too stressed about it. The main problem is that I work at the school serving lunches and I've already had to leave early a few times. I work for a catering company rather then for the school, so I am worried about the possibility of losing my job, which I desperately need (and love!!) My colleague has managed to cover for me so far but it's really not fair to keep asking her to do this. I was thinking that I might have a chat with my boss, who is usually very understanding, and explain the situation. What do you think? Thanks all Nicky x

My DSs school often say that he seems tired but as soon as he's home he's fine. I feel that it's because he is stressed and anxious at school.

Hello Chris and welcome

Hello Zen and welcome

Hello sonj 186 There's a programe on BBC2 tonight at 8 o'clock called 'Museum of Life' all about the Natural History Museum. I should think that it will also be on the BBc iplayer if you miss it on the telly. <'>

Hello Is it Incapacity Benefit that you are getting? On the direct.gov website it says you may get an 'age addition' to Incapacity Benfit 'if you were under 45 when you became too ill or disabled to work'. You'll probably find that you've always been getting the age addition, and all benefit rates change in April so that's why you've got the letter. I'm not an expert, but my guess is it's nothing to worry about Hope that helps <'>

Well we've made our final decision, which is to ask for a place at the autism unit. The head teacher there came to see DS yesterday at school, and said she would recommend him for a place there if we wanted it. He got on with her very well, and we are feeling very positive that we've made the right choice. DH spoke to the LA today and they said they agree with our choice (we will of course be getting that in writing ) and will now issue the final statement. It feels really weird, as it took almost a year to get to the Statutory Assesment stage and now it's all happened really quickly. So now it's just a case of checking the final statement and sorting out the transition between schools, with DS hopefully going full-time from September. Thanks again to all of you for your wonderful support and advice <'>

Hi lindy-lou. It's nice to 'see' you again These links may be helpful, and are mostly jargon-free! Advisory Centre for Education SEN Code of Practice (download from Teachernet) Hope that helps <'>

Happy Birthday to J. Hope he feels well enough to enjot it

Hello Dave and welcome

Thanks Sally

Thanks BD and Kathryn for pointing that out. The draft statement does specify SALT intervention and all the resources and techniques that need to be used to support him. What it doesn't say is how that will be done and there is no mention of 1-2-1 support and how many hours he needs. As you say, it needs to be specific to safeguard the provision in the event of any changes in the future. Sally, DS is academically very able, and the unit would identify his strengths then aim, in time, to take him over to the mainstream school with 1-2-1 support for those subjects. Socially, he has problems, but we feel that these are mainly caused by the environment at mainstream. He has problems during lunchtime and playtime, as he struggles with the noise level and sheer number of children. The unit has children with a wide range of abilities both socially and academically but they seem to do a very good job of tailoring the curriculum to each individual child. They seem to be very flexible in their approach and all the kids seemed to be happy. BD I am sure it's the same unit you are thinking of - I don't know of any others in this area either. It sounds like things are still very similar to what you described, so it's good to know that the kids you know of have done well Thanks for your replies everyone

Hello I have something called 'Early Support - Helping every child succeed'. It's aimed at parents whose child has recently been diagnosed and is full of lots of general information. I'm not sure if it's what you mean as it only has a small section about statements. I don't need it any more, so I'd be happy to send it to you if you'd like to pm me your address. Nicky <'>

Hi all Well things are moving quite fast now. I had a call from the LA to explain that they are waiting to find out what school we name before specifying the staffing provision on the statement, which does make sense.I have to say that the lady dealing with DS's case is actually very helpful, which I know is not always the case. We went to see the autism unit yesterday and we are feeling that it would be the best place for him. I have spoken to his current head teacher and she gave me the impression that she would rather he went there, too, as she said she will struggle to provide the necessary support on the Junior school site. I am feeling that she doesn't want the hassle of having to provide for him and, although I won't be pushed into a decision by her (she can be quite intimidating!!), I don't want him to be at a school if they don't want him there. The head teacher from the autism unit is visiting DS at school next week to observe him and we will then have a meeting with his current head teacher and the SENCO. I guess all we can do is make a decision based on what we feel is best, but it is quite scary! Nicky <'>

I'm really glad it all went well and that you're feeling more positive. We are just in the process of deciding whether to move DS from mainstream school to an autism unit, so if we decide to go ahead, we will need to expalin things to him. I'm not sure where to start but I am sure there are others here who have some good ideas Nicky x

Hi again My DS has never had what would be seen as a 'normal' birthday party either. I try not to see that as a negative because he would hate all the noise anyway. This year we took one of his friends to stock car racing and it was fantastic. We had a few friends round after school on his birthday but it was very low key, as most of them are on the spectrum, too. We usually do go to social gatherings but often I will end up sitting somewhere quiet with him or we have to leave early.