darwin

Don't know if you remember me from the HE lists about a year ago- can't believe this farce has been going on so long. Got absolutely everything crossed for you, mate. Natasha

I can second Nellie's recommendation of Education Otherwise. There are also a number of fantastic internet groups/email lists you can join that give great immediate advice and support. Search Yahoo groups for 'Home Education' or PM me and i'll give you the links. Good Luck - There are a lot of people doing the same thing very successfully. Natasha

Oh, Neil, don't be so polite; you know it will be the Mail

Spelling's got nothing to do with intelligence, Adamsmum; you always sound perfectly intelligent to me

Put something in writing to the head and keep a copy - recorded delivery might be a good idea. If she's definitely not going back to that school then send a de-registration letter - there are examples on the Education Otherwise website. But it sounds like it's only meant to be temporary, so if education welfare do get in touch, you can always ask them to contact your paed or whoever to confirm what is happening - i think you are always halfway there if you can manage to sound confident and not be intimidated by them. Hope it all works out natasha

Sorry to hear it's got you stressed; but i think you're right- the previous school's experiences may help you with the next fight. The good news is he's out of a bad environment (for hm), and as he is now without a school place the LEA will be forced to act sooner rather than later (although i know their soon is not the same as our soon) Put your feet up and have a cup of tea/ glass of wine, and gather your energy for the next stage. Best of luck

Sounds like possible legal action to me- i DID read somewhere this week that the daughter has given an interview denying that she even has an ASD. Also that paperwork relating to her release from detention under Mental Health Law (obtained by journalist), categorically stated doctors' opinion that she was not suffering from any developmental disability OR mental illness AND that a 'catastrophically inadequate parenting regime' was responsible for her problems. Not that i'd always trust the 'professionals' judgement unquestionally, BUT when you remember the back story, you wonder, i think. There are plenty of parents of ASD children on this forum, and i don't get the impression that any of you are robbing vast sums of money from your workplaces to fund your childrens' special interest in shoes or anything else (which is what this chap did) ; i know i don't. Tragic story but i really question whether ASD has anything to do with it. Natasha Mum to DS, 8 (ASD) & DD, 7 (NT, albeit an obsessive interest in all things pink)