splosh

Great news - hope it's all you are hoping for.

So sorry for your news, Frangipani. Just when you get one thing sorted, there's always something else to come and kick your ladder away. Try and stay positive. <'> <'> <'>

Hi We are thinking of moving 'up country' to Cambridgeshire and are wondering how Cambs operates its support in primary schools? DS is statemented - but we realise there are no special units, just centrally-issued support? Could you please PM me if you have any info about this? Many thanks

Yesterday I called the only secondary school in our LEA which may have provision for our high-functioning AS DS to check we were on the invite list for their open morning later this month. RECEPTIONIST: Hello, ** ***** School. ME: Yes, hello - I'm just checking to see we're on the invite list for the open day R: Yes, they're going out today (didn't actually ask my name, but it did arrive this morning anyway) M: Can I just ask about your specialist provision for Asperger's children - are they taught supported in mainstream or in a specialist unit? R: Sorry? M: (OK, she might not have heard me...) Children with Asperger's Syndrome? I've read your school has specialist provision? R: Sorry, I don't understand what you mean...... M: What? Asperger's Syndrome? R: Yes. M: It's OK, I think you've told me a lot of what I need to know already. Thanks, goodbye. GIVE ME STRENGTH!!! Needless to say, I shall be taking this small matter up with the headteacher when we see him at said open day!!!

Priceless!!!!

Ahhh - the helpline...people with patience, who actually understand what you are talking about. It's like therapy!!! We just 'officially' joined too - lots of leaflets - especially great if it's your first port of call.

A BIG thank you to all of you who have replied on here or have PM'd me - your advice and support is absolutely invaluable to us. Further contributions very welcome! Canopus - Believe me, I thank my lucky stars every single day about the support our son has at the moment and I also realise that a statement isn't a golden ticket in secondary education ... which is why I am mildly panicking now! Thanks for the tip about distance learning - I will look into it.

OOH, those bloomin' twiddly ties!!! The worst offender is Bratz - of all breeds! And DD got about five of them! Those nails I had honed to perfection for the festive season were shot in about 10 minutes! And as for the moments when DS's Ben10 (latest obsession) Omnitrix (acquired at ridiculous expense from America - not available here yet) went missing then turned up in the RUBBISH BAG!!! OMG - Meltdown Central narrowly averted!

Wow Emily - you're the one that actually managed to GET a (very rare) Wii for Christmas!!!!! It sounds fab! Congratulations and have a great birthday!

DS is 8, with high-functioning AS, and currently in Yr4 at mainstream primary school, statemented and full-time in a fantastic support base. We know we will have to make a decision as to his secondary education this time next year. Now (and this is a familiar story I'm sure) I'm getting a bit panicky because I cannot find ANYTHING which will suit him for 11+. Realistically, we are looking at a special school and there are many which list Asperger's as a 'speciality', but when I check the website/Ofsted/exam results, it's clear they do not cater for DS's (ridiculously high!) level of intelligence. We are prepared to do anything and go anywhere to get him the right education. When our LEA was asked which local schools would be in the running for him, they suggested a PRIMARY-age school for autistic children and an EBD school (which would be SO wrong it's unbelievable). The 'specialist' autism teacher who was at his recent statement review urged us to consider the local mainstream schools. Frankly, I nearly fell off my chair laughing - especially as she had observed him in a mainstream class unsupported and it was a complete (very timely) disaster! Stupid woman. So....I appreciate we cannot name names on the forum, but if anyone has experience of a great secondary school for high-functioning AS children, state or private, ANYWHERE in the country that we could investigate, could you possibly PM or email me with your experience (if not suitable for forum). We would be really grateful - got that 'hunting in the dark' feeling at the moment!

That's great news about the extension - well done for ringing and challenging it...first battle won! Good luck!

If you think I'd let DH cuddle me after he'd thrown up...

Hi everyone - I am Sue and I live in Hertfordshire with my DH, DS R (8, AS) and DD E (7). We are lucky enough to have a statement for R and he is in a support base attached to a mainstream school. We are lucky that the support he receives was described in the school's recent Ofsted as "expert" and they are absolutely wonderful people. Now we are looking at the rather frightening prospect of finding a suitable secondary school - we are finding if the schools within a 50-mile radius can cope with his AS, they can't manage his intelligence level. We are already bracing ourselves for a fight! Have been a quiet 'observer' on the forum, picking up lots of great tips for nearly a year now, so apologies for being so rude and not introducing myself! Hoping to join in a bit more now and in the new year!

Ah yes, we woken at 5am just today by Splosh (not me, the cat I'm 'named' after!), making his familiar two-tone building-up-to-chunder noises. Deposits load. DH gets up to clear and disinfect! Returns to bed and wants to cuddle against my head. Thanks for that!!!

Agree with Karen - ask the LEA for an extension - they are very good at bringing up controversial school-based matters just before school holiday times.