moncs

All responces are greatly appreciated I hope the meeting goes well Monica

Many schools in Scotland have a DCD group Developmental Coordination Group where the children participate in small group exercises. My son does this 3 or 4 mornings a week in school first thing but he is then exhausted after it. when we had nowhere to turn we went to DDAT . He has been on the programme for 11 months now and the results are astounding . within 6 weeks a little boy who could not ride a bike is zipping roundt he park. I know there have been other threads on DDAT and not all are positive but our son has certainly come on . through the exercises we are noticing the full extent of his difficulties .Before i would have claimed he didn't have any difficulties because they were not apparent now I know what I am looking for I can' t believe I never noticed .

Thanks James it worked Yipeeeee Monica

Great ideas for secondary and I can see how they can be adapted for primary.Someone suggested the other day that a picture of the class teacher can be put on the doors . this is a great idea for many children as they may have trouble remembering names. the photo album is a similar idea photo of nurse, , guidance teacher, etc. thanks this list is getting bigger and bigger I hope parents are copying them for next term. Mocs

Thanks for the useful comments Puffin ,and i apologise too it is often difficult to read the intentions behind the written word! I particularly liked your point about transitions . This year in June I had to raise this subject with my sons school and the EP they had not even thought of this . My son believes because he is getting a new teacher in August he will never see his present teacher again . i had to explain this to the Head and outline the steps that should be taken before the next school session. I had not thought about a virtual tour . Great idea, perhaps the child could make it next time? The timer is also a useful strategy I am considering buying one called a time timer but as you point out they are very expernsive the smallest costs �18.95. i can see many uses for this both at school and at home. There are many key strategies that teachers can adopt in thier class i will discuss these in my thesis but it is is noticing the little things that can have a major affect on our childs school life, that i am interested in . I love the quote from Lorna Wing:- 'Parents develop a deep knowledge of their own child while teachers develop a broad knowledge of many children.' .Even the best school could make every effort to apply strategies but they need to understand the nature of AS and how it affects each child differently.Or else all the best strategies are worthless. eg. There is a breakfast club in my sons school but he won't go near it. He stands at the fence and watches the children . this is obviously a time of stress and worry to me although Alex doesn't seem overly distressed. My concern is that this is one area where Alex stands out from the crowd as he doesn't participate. The school are aware that Alex doesn't play so they should be looking for ways to involve him to further his social skills. Come as you please day might sound like fun but my son was distressed. He wanted to put his school clothes in his bag incase he was wrong , or it was a trick.This could have been reinforced the day before . Alex was stressed because he doesn't understand the days of the week and he was scared he would be the only one dressed in play clothers. The teacher should have been aware because this was outside his routine that there was the possibility of problems. These are 2 examples of what affects my son . If i did not raise issues like this with the school they would have no understanding of Alex. I am sure Alex is not alone in being stressed by some of these issues . These issues are equally as important as using a time timer, social stories etc (Can you tell I like the work Issues ?)i think these examples may give a better insight into our children . What do you think? Monica

Puffin I would have responded to this as a personal message however by putting your comments on the thread everyone is able to read your negative comments about my studies . Quite frankly this is a complete and utter waste of my time responding to you. However , I feel I need to address some of your points. I was defensive with your first post and now your second post for for several reasons:- If you had read the thread properly from the beginning you would see the structure and you would know what my question was and if you had read further on you would know exanctly what I was looking for . Your post did not make it clear that there is good practice and supportive teachers .In fact the first two paragraphs did anything but. Part of my reasearch will be to discuss the use of visual timetables etc as teachers with no experience with ASD will need to know this, but I was looking for :- 'Through my stidies I have many strategies but I think what I am now looking for is things that as parents we experience that schools would not even think about or consider in the first place.' I am not sure exactly what your dissertation question is so it is hard to interpret what you want. I have to say that i am a little puzzled by your posts - on the one hand you claim to want parents' to contribute to your dissertation - but then you attack ASD parents for not replying and being moaners - and then when some of us do reply you complain that we have answered the "wrong" thing or have insulted you - I was not attacking parents we all ,myself included have grievances with schools my point was if when you are given the chance to voice your opinion ie.what you would like to see schools do to help your child , why was there few responses? This puzzled me until Zemanski cleared that up . I also apologised at the time for not putting my thoughts in a better way but clearly you did not read that either! I did not at any time say that someone had given the wrong answer .I thanked them and appreciate the time and effort they put into their replies I did however clarify what I was looking for so that others could follow the thread. perhaps a less confrontational approach might persuade more replies on this difficult issue or a more structured approach might help us give you what you want - it is a bit disheartening to take time out of my own working day to reply to you and then be criticised as a result. If you had left out your first two paragraphs I would have been thanking your for your comments .Perhaps if you had not begun your second paragraph rudly If you don't believe me: check out some of the threads here, I would not have been confrontational with you. Don't bother taking time out to reply concentrate on your work and God help your students if you can't even read the question. Moncs

Puffin , I can understand why some parents feel disempowered but I will use all the positive replies that I can to raise awareness of AS. Through my presentations I aim to use all the ideas presented to me by parents, to help inform other teachers practice.Is this not empowering parents? If you don't believe me: check out some of the threads here, especially Elles and also do a search for ASD on the TES site and see what sort of attitudes parents are faced with each day - and tell me how parents are going to feel that they are enpowered to advise schools. My personal favourite was a few months ago on the TES site where there appears to be a widespread belief that ADHD is an ASD!! Teachers had actually been taught this by SEN consultants on an SEN training course. For example: http://www.tes.co.uk/section/staffroom/thr...&path=/Opinion/ Puffin you must think I am ignorant or can't read if you are directing me to a spcific thread or web site. I can read and I know what many parents and teachers attitiudes are . But I know for a fact that there are many teachers out there who like me are trying to make changes. If be it small .My biggest hate is when some people lump all teachers together .

Thanks Zemanski, lots to think over , Through my stidies I have many strategies but I think what I am now looking for is things that as parents we experience that schools would not even think about or consider in the first place. My son Alex has never enjoyed school shows they were always stressful for him now, that he has a diagnosis and we understand why he is stresed he had a different role this year as prop master . No stress and he was still able to take part in some way. My class participated in a sports festival and within 5 minutes I spotted a child who I thought had Aspergers .Tihs was in a large sports hall with over 300 children . You can imagine the noise, the lights, the movement etc. When the child came to my group i aked his helper who was amazed that I knew he had aspergers but to be honest it wasn't difficult as he spent the day rocking whilst covering his ears . My point is the school did not apperciate or consider what that trip would mean for that child.Was he prepaired in advance ?, they could have possibly provided ear plugs, was a day too long? perhaps the child should have attended for half a day or better still invite the festival to their school and have a mini festival . I feel the school had many options but as a parent we are the ones who fully appreciate what it means . Does this make it any clearer? Monica

Cheers , my son is a young entrepreneur, if I started that I would be rooked! Moncs

hi JoMarie I am sorry I couldn' email to you properly instead of putting it on the open forum but I don't know how to yet! I am a parent and a teacher, with a son who has Aspergers . His school is terrible and know nothing about Aspergers So I have started a postgrad so i can ensure his school are meeting his needs . This couse will also inform my practice . My theseis is: What adaptations need to be made for a child with Asperger Syndrome in mainstream schools. I will be discussing homework . On May 28th you posted:- 'I've always had problems with M regarding homework, his self esteem is so low that he thinks he can't do anything properly and the perfectionist in him truns the whole affair into such an ordel it often ends up wih a meltdown.' I think this is such an important point and with your permission would like to include it in my theses . I can understand if you would rather I didn't . I wouldn't use it without your pemission. thanks Monica

Thanks Annie , i appreciate what you are saying and I know it is hard my son goes to a different school from where I teach . I am up against a brick wall wilth them . They have no idea what Aspergers is and think they are meeting his needs . I on the other hand work in a school where great strides are being made to address the needs of children with additional neds. I was in a lucky position to be able to do this post grad and I have been amazed at what I have learned . (I don't want to get into the debate that teachers should have been given this training at college etc ) I started the course because I have to educate my sons school so I had to be knowlegabe first . I am in a position to do this being a teacher. Annie you said something about it only taking one staff member that comes into contact with your child that thinks they can bully your child into being 'normal' or 'not believe your child has Asperger's'and your child doesn't stand a chance. Since I have started my course I have had one teacher come to me for help and she has seen some progress. Also a classroom assisstant has asked for information so that she can learn too as she has seen an improvement in the above teachers class. In the staff room there are over 40 members of staff and the discussions we have had have been lively. Hopefully I am raising awareness. I am realistic and not expecting the moon, but this to me is a positive start. Phasmid , could people not seed me an email like what you did? Moncs

Thanks Annie , i appreciate what you are saying and I know it is hard my son goes to a different school from where I teach . I am up against a brick wall wilth them . They have no idea what Aspergers is and think they are meeting his needs . I on the other hand work in a school where great strides are being made to address the needs of children with additional neds. I was in a lucky position to be able to do this post grad and I have been amazed at what I have learned . (I don't want to get into the debate that teachers should have been given this training at college etc ) I started the course because I have to educate my sons school so I had to be knowlegabe first . I am in a position to do this being a teacher. Annie you said something about it only taking one staff member that comes into contact with your child that thinks they can bully your child into being 'normal' or 'not believe your child has Asperger's'and your child doesn't stand a chance. Since I have started my course I have had one teacher come to me for help and she has seen some progress. Also a classroom assisstant has asked for information so that she can learn too as she has seen an improvement in the above teachers class. In the staff room there are over 40 members of staff and the discussions we have had have been lively. I am realistic and not expecting the moon, but this to me is a positive start. Phasmid , could people not seen me an email like what you did? Moncs

Fist of all I would like to thank the people who gave me some valuable ideas . Quite often as parents on this site we criticise the school and teachers for their lack of understanding , support , and knowledge I could go on . This is why I was surprised when my post only got a few replies . Through my studies I hope to inform , change attitudes and promote good pracitce within schools in my area. This is an opportunity as parents to let teachers know what is important for our children education and well being . I am pussy footing about here trying to put this in a diplomatic way so I don't offend anyone . I am sorry if I do. After reading all the upset and moans relating to schools I would think parents would be glad of the opportunity to tell schools what to do , what to try or what to implement. ,But the response tells me I am wrong we just like to moan about schools and nothing seems to change. rant over . Moncs

I found a great resource the other night it's called a time timer. It is a clock that show the coundt down of time eg if a taks takes 20 min you can set it for 20 min and the child can visually watch the 20 min pass. It helps with organisation, and sense of passing of time . A little expensive but you can buy different sizes from Autism independent UK formerly.

Hi , I am now more awake and I managed to find your research all on my own . I'm from Scotland so i don't think I will be of any use . If you need anything further just yell. monica

Hi Phasmid thanks for replying the other night to my question. I tried to reply to your email but I probably got it wrong and I still haven't figured out how to send you one back . I would be happy to take part in your research just let me know what it is about and what you need . Cheers . Monica

Thanks for replying Elouise, I've already got most of that . I liked the idea about school dinners. I was looking for any little extra suggestions that may make the children's time in school easier . I would like it to be positive as I feel teachers and parents have to work together to provide a happy safe environment for the children.

Since my son was diagnosed with Aspergers i have run into the many problems that parents face in education- lack of training,knowledge, resources etc, ~I have started a postgrad couse in Aspergers. My question is :- What adaptations need to be made for a child with Asperger syndrome in mainstream schools? I am about to write my first thesis and then I hope to provide a teaching pack for teachers . Is there anything that you feel is particularly important , any bright ideas or suggestions . As I am a teacher I am writing from a teacher and parents perspective .I would like more parental input as I feel we know our children best and know what we would like to see in the schools . All ideas greatly appreciated. Thanks Monica

Over the past couple of months I have visited this site and found it to be very informative, but I often get angered by some responces concerning teachers . It seems when there are problems the buck stops at the teacher. The teacher doesn't understand , the teacher is not trained ...... What we forget is that the teachers are employed by their local councils and the education authority. training and courses are organised at this level if there is not enough adequate resouces , courses and provision I am sorry but the class teacher has no control over it. With inclusion there are hundreds of teachers who have to learn to cope with a varity of additional needs not just aspergers and autism. In a perfect society teachers would be adequately trained to meet every childs needs but this at present is not the case. In college the provision is pitiful and this surely must be an area which could be improved however I don't think it is possible to train teachers in everything. That is why we have specialist teachers . In my experience teachers only learn about a condition when they have a child in their class . It may not be to the standard that parents wish but they are only human , they do have a class full of children to teach and they are generally left to get on with it with no support what so ever. I understand that parents have to fight their school to get their basic needs met I am currently in the process of doing this too. But I unfortunately can see both sides of the coin . The class teacher should not be used as a punch bag or the scape goat for the problems inclusion brings.

I was greatly interested in this topic my son can't switch off at night and it takes him about 3 -4 hours each night to fall asleep. I told the Doctor on Friday pleading ignorant and asking for advice . Then I mentioned the melatonin. He told me it was not available for perscription inthe u.K. end of discussion. what is the script ? Is it available or not ?????????/ Slightly confused

Lots of practical strategies for teachers . Thanks

My friends dad has gone there for remedial massage and other such things for a back complaint . I don't know if he got any potions I will phone and ask her when I get a chance. He is very well known in Scotland . Monica