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Jade

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About Jade

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    Salisbury Hill

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  • Gender
    Female
  • Location
    Devon
  1. Well the principal told me there aren't any places, but I have been told by someone who has helped to get a child in there previously that as the principal has told me a couple of times to be a 'pushy mum', that perhaps means they could have a place!? I'm hoping that is the case, but if not, that he could be placed there by the start of year 6. He may just scrape through year 5 if his present school continue to be patient and use the interventions that have been recommended. I just want to make sure I do everything possible to help things go through smoothly. I am aware from reading your other posts that you need to be very much on the ball and not expect the professionals to think of everything or that the LA will see things my way.
  2. Yes he does have a diagnosis of ASD. I have visited several schools now and this maintained school would be the best for my son in every way, their aim being to guide them to hopefully be able to cope with mainstream by 16 but continued support to find the right setting if not. I was panicking about the whole thing yesterday, but your replies have reminded me that I need to focus on being strong and direct and "be a pushy mum" as the head of the special school told me, to get the best for my son. I spent some time today going through the admissions criteria and going through my sons reports to write my own account of why that school is "the only school that can meet his needs". Thanks both for your replies.
  3. Yes I do have a school in mind, its an LA maintained school for aspergers and ASD children and its in my county. Their entry criteria is that the child will have a statement of special education need citing autism spectrum condition as their significant problem area. It would be ideal for my son and all the professionals agree that he would hugely benefit from being there. My son has always had a very negative view of school and I so want to do the right thing by him so that he has the best possible future.
  4. Hi all, I am currently gathering reports for my son aged 9 to make a case to the LA that he needs a place at special school. I have reports from paediatricion, GP, OT, an independent autism specialist, and school are backing up the referral. EP is assessing him and will provide a report, and a "communication and Interaction" specialist is going to assess him and provide a report also. My son has never seen a SALT, and no mention has ever been made that he should be assessed. I know there is massive demand for their services, and am wondering if I should make a referral myself or get a private SALT to assess him, which presumably would be a lot quicker. An interim review of his Statement is set for Thursday June 26th to gather all the information together to be sent to the LA to make a decision about special school and I am worried that I have enough evidence to show that it would be the best possible setting for him. He is really struggling with school now, and its impossible to get him in before 10am. He increasingly follows his own agenda and won't conform, doesn't respond to rewards, suffers from severe travel sickness, and school have admitted that they don't know if he will cope in year 5 come September. He's been having some major meltdowns lately and been very aggressive to teachers (it took 3 of them to restrain him for 20 minutes the other day, and he headbutted his teacher in the face during this.), and been trying to escape from school to get home. He really enjoys language and seems to have a good grasp of words, but that doesn't mean he understands the dynamics of communication and interaction does it? Do I need a SALT report and what is the best way of going about it?
  5. Hi, my son aged 7 was diagnosed last November. I've made a point of letting him know and understand his diagnosis which has really helped as he has been very aggressive and still is at times. I'm trying to help him realize there is a reason behind the frustration that he feels. I bought a book called 'The Red Beast' Controlling Anger in Children with Asperger's Syndrome, which I would highly recommend. It takes the blame out of the anger and helps the child realise that everyone gets angry but the red beast wakes more easily in some than others, the trick is in learning how tame it! Hope this helps x
  6. Jade

    'Thrive' at School

    Hey, thanks for all your replies. I had a meeting with the SENCO a couple of days ago and she briefly went through 'Thrive' with me. Although it is actually aimed at children with emotional difficulties rather than ASD I do think it could be interesting to see if this has any bearing and effect with my son. There have been events in his life that ordinarily would cause emotional difficulty to any child (treatment by his step mother who couldn't acknowledge he was on the spectrum, and my own post natal depression), but as you point out, I'm not convinced he will benefit from it, other than enjoying an hour of 1:1 each day. What could be beneficial is that they can follow up on whats happened within the school day with him, if he's been upset or in trouble, as I mostly don't get to hear whats gone on to be able to address those issues once at home (home and school is a big divide for him and he will very rarely tell me anything) There seem to be a lot of check lists with this programme and I agree with you all that I need to keep in close contact with school about the strategies they want to implement. This is a new thing for the school and they are are trialing it out with 2 statemented children with ASD diagnosis (including my son) and 2 children with no statement or diagnosis. Assessment starts after half term so I'll let you know how it progresses. Thanks again Jx
  7. School asked me to sign a consent form today for a Thrive assessment for my ASD son aged 7. I had a quick look on the website and it seems to be aimed at emotionally disturbed children, no mention of the specific difficulties posed by autism. Maybe I'm being oversensitive, but I feel like the finger is being pointed back at me and my parenting skills rather than aknowledging that the behaviour he displays is a result of frustration and fitting in with imposed rules etc. because of the ASD!? It may help him I suppose, and possibly this is about the school trying to equip him with emotional tools before going up to key stage 2 (which will undoubtedly be very difficult for him). Does anyone else have any knowledge or experience of 'Thrive'?
  8. Really glad that things are moving forward for you, fantastic news! I haven't heard anything yet, but not really expecting to until possibly Feb next year.
  9. Jade

    AS Diagnosis

    Hey, thankyou for your kind replies and thoughts. Its strange that however much you know in yourself whats going on, its still hard to get that formal diagnosis. M has been on school action plus for a while. I have quite detailed reports from Ed psych and his clinical psychologist. I found out that he is getting a Statement of Educational Needs, but they haven't yet decided what support and or funding will be attached to it. School are making an application for emergency funding in the meantime. The psychologist that he was seeing has recently left for another job which is very disappointing in terms of continuity for him (and me if im honest), so the paediatrician has said she will see us again before christmas rather than having to meet someone new. I feel mach better now i've had a few days to adjust to the reality of our situation. I love my son to bits. I think this is a positive thing and i hope we can move forward with more confidence now. Jx
  10. Hi My son was formally diagnosed with ASD on monday (paediatrician said they don't use the term Aspergers any more!!). Its been a long process, i'm relieved that its conformed in some ways, at least i know im dealing with him appropriately. Flip side though is that im also quite down about it.
  11. Well done, it takes courage to take that first step! 'Open Mind' sounds similar to 'MWA' team that I was referred to. Jx
  12. He sounds like a very angry and lonely young man. That doesn't excuse what he's done, but he definately needed help which obviously wasn't being given, or given in the right way!
  13. Thanks Gonzo, feel more prepared now I know! I'll try to stay relaxed as I usually get uptight and have a sense of having to justify and fight for everything when it comes to assessments! Jx
  14. Hi, Thankyou both for your replies, really helpful. Ed psych did the British Ability Scales II with him and the results were very spiky! He should have had an appointment by now for formal diagnosis, but it seems nothing gets done unless you hassle for it...I'll phone them tomorrow. I've just looked at the letter again, it is a "medical assessment for his Special Education Needs", so it possibly will be straightforward as you say Kathryn. I don't doubt it will be a long process lol, but I don't mind fighting for justice! Thanks again Jx
  15. Ed psych and clinical psych both say he is Aspergers following observations and tests, but he hasn't had the formal diagnosis yet. Ed psych recommended school to go ahead and make an application for Assessment for Statement and the LA agreed that he needed assessment. School sent in detailed reports from themselves and psychologists so they already have lots of information to hand so not really sure what else they need to do!? Though I realize they need to make their own independant assessment.
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