Blue-Kat

thanks for all the info ! unfortunately it's not workable by air for. it's getting too complicated, prices are going up. we're looking at train instead. the hotel looks great, very plush. did you take your kid(s) to anywhere else while in Ayr?

we're looking into the practicalities of trip to see Ian Jordan. any tip on transport and B+Bs etc.? it's a huge undertaking for me, due to my own health probs. We're considering flying or train, but am very out of practice at travel so any recommendations much appreciated! I am a wheelchair user. is it advisable to stay overnight, any suggestions where? do Jordans send out the prescribed glasses by post? We live in Sheffield, South Yorks. Our 11 yr old son has AS and severe dyslexia. He attends an excellent special school, but there are concerns re: his v low literacy, totally out of synch with his ability. I would like to be tested too, and perhaps our older kids, but maybe on another trip if the first one goes OK. Plus someone's got to stay home with the dogs, cats and rats! thanks

totally agree lorryw, very good idea to use SS complaints procedure, a lot of people have found it surprisingly effective. Mother in need: as far as I understand the remit of Children's and families seems to be geared to at risk, abuse, emergency intervention, short term support etc. Long term respite breaks to enable carers to go on caring are different type of need.

which SS dept were you assessed by? we asked for referral to SS for respite, but it went to the wrong dept. It's important to be seen by Disabled children's rather than Families & Children's dept. allI can suggest is to persist, and keep asking for the care package to be increased to something useful. Sheffield Carers Centre maybe able to help. http://www.sheffieldcarers.org.uk/ http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/safe--sound/so...en-and-families best wishes -

we moved 1.5 years ago and did pretty much as other posters have suggested, brough our AS on as many visits as possible, drove passed frequently, made a big deal of benefits to him ( getting his own room ). on moving day we made L as comfortable as poss, he stayed by my side all day, and we kept his special stuff with him, and he felt involved with special responsibility for helping care for the pets, which gave him a focus. amazingly he slept in his new room the 1st night. 8 weeks after the move he had a pretty bad depressive episode, we probably took our eye off the ball and weren't giving him enough attention. so watch out for the period after the move. it was hard work, but absolutely no regrets, L loves our new home in every way. I think the NAS has a downloadable leaflet on moving. hth -

can you ask for referrals to local dental hospital? my 11 yr old son is recieving fantastic treatment from dental hosp, can't believe the stuff he's let them do at appointments. they take a lot of time and trouble, and have been v understanding. he had a lot of extractions under GA and metal crowns, only thing he was pretty rough in recovery. he still has crooked teeth and wondering if they'll suggest braces. dental hygiene has to be excellent to consider braces.

thanks - will certainly discuss it with ENT. L went under very calm and easy, no screaming, he was well prepared, we'd read hospital books and discussed what would happen. I think when he was semi conscious in Recovery, he was aware of pain, but not alert enough to cope with it, thus the panic.

jsut wondered if there's people with experience or comments on this? my 11 yr AS son has moderate hearing loss on one side, and has been referred to ENT, I think, for possible grommets or maybe hearing aid. there's been a year of 'watchful waiting' and his hearing has got worse. he has very severe dyslexia, clearly having to comepensate for partial hearing can't be helping. Improving his hearing is clearly a priority. he has quite sensitive to certain sounds and background noise, unless he's making the din I've heard very positve tales of grommets, but NHS site says improvements might occur anyway without intervention, and that grommets can fall out, ear drum hole might not heal etc. L had dental surgery last summer, and was pretty ropey after the general aneasthetic, medically OK but shrieking, shaking and panicy breathing. thankfully after a short sleep, he'd forgotten it. Other parents say their kids come out of GA with a smile, and alert. Thanks for any comments.

Sheffield College do an onlineEnglsih GCSE course, also Psychology GCSE and AS and A Level Eng lit http://my.sheffcol.ac.uk/

many thanks Ultramum. thanks for the hints Karen A. We've almost broken the back of the beast, just a matter of pulling it altogether now we understand what's needed. Parent Partnership lady offered to help, but she's off on holiday and the deadline is looming. I was hoping to get the report in decent shape for her final comments. cheers -

we're on Satge 2 too, only got a few weeks to submit our report. just struggling with writing parental representation - any tips appreciated, would anyone be kind enough to let us see their parental report? (I can't get the link to NAS advise page to work ) I am finding it hard to make is succint, and present our son's case effectively. What we've done so far is disorganised, repetative and overlong. I am concerned that unless it's snappy they won't take notice. We're applying for place at Special secondary school L has never attended school, we've asked a friend and ex-teacher to write a report as our evidence is rather thin on the ground. it's just our word, but thankfully the LEA ed psych's assessment is fair. The GP has said she'd write a letter, but would need pointers - once again any tips one what to ask her to comment on? it's a lot to get together as well cope with day to day needs of our kids, never mind have a life ! The eldest is having a college crisis, refusing to go. Erk- more education authority figures to cope with TIA - Katya

saw this on ebay, it's a collection of little games and puzzles, which might be good taster? the Catz and Dogz games are fun, my kids ( or should that be kidz ?) have spent many hours with them. our 10.5 yr old is happier for avoiding violent games and cutting back cable TV package ( no cartoon network). he balked at first, but not for long and now loves Basil brush, Shiny show etc....

does anyone here get ear defenders for their young people with sensory overload? any recommendations? not sure that L would feel comfortable with foam earplugs, but might take to headphone-style defenders to put on when sudden or shrill noises are annoying him, to keep in his going out bag with his personal survival kit ( sunglasses, inhalers, person fan etc !) Thanks for any advice or tips. - Katya

swooshing sounds, spinning, twirling jumping, leaping, twirling a stick, ball rotation on tips of fingers, smoothing and arranging bedding. hits his own head (says he's had so many head injuries it doesn't hurt / he's immune :/ ) he has a thing about glass/crystal ornaments and sheepskin rugs, also likes colouring a whole piece of paper with a single coloured pencil he does a 'masonic' style in leg wear. one sock on and one off, and goes out with one trouser leg up. repetatively invades family members'personal space, touching, prodding, just part and parcel of the whole peson ! list of tourrette's tics here: http://www.tourettes-disorder.com/symptoms/tics.html#ticlist

is it possible to get funding for notebook PCs/ laptops for use at college? or are there any educational discounts? TIA - Katya