mumto4

Did you attend the panel meetings Sally? I was told I could not do this. It was very frustrating a panel of people were discussing my child's education and I was not involved at all. Special Ed Needs Improvement Team recommends his educational facilites and resources: he would benefit from continued access to a broad and balanced curriculum Needs to be taught in a quiet, low arousal environment with a high staff to pupil ratio he needs to be taught by staff who set clear boundaries but retain a nurturing atmosphere instructions should be clear, concise and literal while tasks should be well scaffolded he needs access to a quiet area of the school when his behaviour becomes angry, upset or disruptive and have access to activites which calm him Would benefit from short breaks to take account of ADHD Use of his interests to help motivate him He should participate in anger management programme He should have regualr mentoring sessions focussing on self organisation and the importance of compliance with medication regimes He would benefit from an emphasis on practical tasks whenever possible and use of laptop for written tasks to reduce stress levels. should have opportunities to take part in programmes to support social skills development Benefit from close home school liaison Summary of SEN Needs: ASD and ADHD Problems with emotional regulation which can lead to very challenging behaviour Subtle higher order language difficulties impaired social interaction skills low self esteem struggels with busy classroom environment as he is distracting and distracted levels of concentration can be very low and he can be very hyperactive and impulsive High level of environmental vigilance regardless of concentration level his fluctuating attention and concentration levels are likely to be affected by his interest level and fluctuating insulin levels and the impact of ADHD medication Ed psych report recommends much the same thing provision should include National Curriculum at a level appropriate to his age and ability Support from teachers skilled at meeting the needs of children with ASD and emotional/behavioural difficulties A school day that can provide boundaries to guide his behaviour Support from staff to manage his emotions including anger, confidence issues and willingness to accept 'no' Benefit from support to help him to understand and interpret social; situations high staff to pupil ratio The opportunity to experience activities which will help him to develop emotional security and a sense of belonging. He will benefit from having a key worker who he can build a trusting relationship with Close liason with family, school and other professionals. SALT assessment indicated problems with higher language functioning and difficulties with inference. I have major concerns he will be continue to be excluded on a regular basis if he returns to his mainstream school (if they agree to have him back without union action!) He does not view exclusion as a punishment, just a day off, but the only school we are offered is not ASD specific just BESD. Head teacher there was very clear her main focus is BESD and that they are very good at this, she will not 'water down her focus' at the expense of BESD work. I agree she should do what she is good at however I don't think it is what my sone needs.

Thanks again for the help Sally. Kazzen I've asked for the schools information just as a starting point of schools in this area as I was unsure where to look! I feel under pressure to make a decision due to the end of school term, statement dates and the fact his current school will no longer have him. I do not want to move him twice if I can avoid it. I have visited the BESD school twice and tried to ask some questions of the head teacher however she appeared reluctant to answer them. I quote 'you either want our school or you don't as we have a waiting list you know' this did not fill me with confidence. The teacher who showed us around and the deputy head were more receptive to questions and I liked their enthusiasm however it not allay my concerns that a BESD school would best meet my sons needs. The education panel decided the LA primary school with ASD unit would not be suitable due to his challenging behaviour and the fact he is not moderately or severely Autistic. They insist they do not minute their meetings which I find hard to believe but would have been helpful for following their decision making process.

Hi Sally Thanks for the replies, lots of food for thought. My son is 8 so I'm looking for primary schools in the Gateshead/Sunderland/Durham areas. He doesn't have a specific learning difficulty at all and his reading age is well above average. He refuses to complete written literacy tasks but his vocabulary is excellent. His written work is very good when he decides to engage with his teacher. He loves maths and is above average in this area too. At home he can have major meltdowns usually when he is challenged or asked to do something other than play on a computer or watch TV but these occasions are occurring a lot less often and he calms quickly. In the community he can be loud and say inappropriate things at the worst moments but nothing we can't manage. Impulsive as would be expected but we have learned strategies to manage this. Sensory issues are an issue but we can usually manage them - hair washing/cutting, nails cutting, clothing etc. He doesn't like noisy environments which has been the cause of him leaving the school building as he says he wants to be in playground to be 'away from everything'. Local Authority have delayed telling me I have to make a Freedom of Information Act request regarding other schools they fund SEN children to attend as they kept promising the details had been posted out. I appreciate the information you have provided and will use it when the Statement is sent. All professionals reports have been sent now and we expect the proposed Statement in September. My major concern is son will not have a placement to begin for the new term!

Hi all. My son has a diagnosis of ADHD and ASD, he is very able academically however he has displayed challenging behaviour towards members of school staff in his mainstream school - kicking and hitting usually when trying to leave the school building. He has been excluded a few times over the last academic year (total 11 1/2 days). Very unhelpful acting head teacher would not recognise any diagnosis and treated all issues as bad behaviour, eventually suggested we slip medication into his juice without telling him as son had refused to take it. I had to keep reminding him of the diagnosis and his duty to access extra support but felt like I was banging my head against a wall. New head teacher has been brilliant, very understanding and proactive regarding additional support but time has been against us as she started half way through the year. Since June 1st he has shown improvment due to starting medication and autism strategies being put in place but his current school no longer feel able to have him there as some teachers have threatened union action if he remains there. Statement process has started but due to school term ending I feel unable to visit many alternative schools to consider if they could meet son's needs. LEA have suggested a BESD school which also has children on the autistic spectrum. I was impressed by the teacher and deputy head but found the head teacher very rude and negative. I already had concerns regarding a BESD school as I feel my son has displayed challenging behaviour due to poor management of his ASD needs. I feel the situation with current school has broken down but I now struggle with finding an alternative school in time for the next term. I have visited an ASD specifc unit in a mainstream school and asked education panel to consider this as an option but was told it is not suitable due to my son's challenging behaviour. Possible PDA has been mentioned as a reason however other professionals disagree with this as a diagnosis. Can ASD children be supported and educated well in a BESD school? I am concerned son will be vulnerable to bullying as he says exactly what he thinks at all times - during visit child said he wanted to shoot down a police helicopter and son went on about people being hurt and how naughty this would be for 2 days! Alternative schools in the North East area suggestions would be most welcome. Thanks