nellie

Hi J's mum, A subject close to my heart and one of the main reasons for requesting my local authority carried out a scrutiny review of SEN. No I don't think it should be left to the school to identify a child's special educational needs or decide if the school can meet the needs from their own resources, especially in complex needs like autism. Very few teachers have the necessary expertise to identify those needs. It is the legal duty of the local authority to identify, assess, provide and monitor special educational needs. I have supported parents of children with autism for some years. Children are failing and reaching crisis point because no one is identifying their needs. If a child exhibits inappropriate behaviour at school, the school may possibly seek help from outside agencies or request a statutory assessment, but what about the child who internalises their problems, the child who pretends to cope, the child who does not want to draw attention to themselves, at any cost. Teachers are failing to see the hidden disability even when parents have voiced their concerns for some considerable time. A child's day consists of 24 hours, we have to start looking at how the child presents in all settings during that 24hrs. An educational psychologist said to me recently "if we don't see a problem or a need then we can't provide for it". That's quite shocking! Just because a school doesn't have a problem with a child, it doesn't mean the child doesn't have a problem with the school! A need cannot be provided for unless it is identified. Local Authorities are often failing in their legal duty to provide parents with information on SEN procedures. Without this information parents don't know they have a legal right to request an assessment or even know what a statutory assessment is. My sons are now 28 and 30, their needs were never identified at school because of lack of expertise. The system failed them both, the system is still failing a huge number of children. The passive child pretending to be normal was discussed on ths previous topic. http://www.asd-forum.org.uk/forum/index.ph...l=passive+child Nellie xx The following is worth noting. Taken from the NAPC National Autism Plan for Children Page 93 A diagnosis of ASD is important in directing a more accurate interpretation of the behaviour of the child and in opening up avenues of appropriate support and education. However, each child remains an individual and careful assessment of needs and strengths (including interests and learning style) is needed to inform individual educational plans. That much is generally accepted and reinforced by this report. The question remains whether this assessment of needs should be formally identified and legally protected in a statement or record of needs. Paradoxically, this protection is most needed where it is least likely to occur. Thus, in a situation where local professionals are well aware of the needs arising from autistic conditions and services are well adapted to meet this range of needs, the child is most likely to have needs met without a statement or record. It is only where the needs of the child are not recognised by local professionals and services are unable or unwilling to adapt to those needs, that legal protection may be needed to ensure the child and family gain access to what is required. Yet even a legal statement or record of 'entitlement' cannot in reality always ensure the suitability of local services, change entrenched attitudes or inform and qualify professionals. In the long term, therefore, this report looks forward to a more inclusive system where a full range of local services are 'autism friendly' and there is minimal need for such legal protection. In the short and even medium term, however, some legally enforceable record or statement of a child's needs may well be needed and useful in alerting uninformed professionals of the nature of those needs if the needs are being appropriately met at School Action or School Action Plus under the SEN Code of Practice. The NIASA working group does not support the policy of limiting statements or records to a group arbitrarily defined in terms of academic ability as this is likely to discriminate against children with Asperger's syndrome or ASD without learning difficulties. It is also unacceptable to delay appropriate placement pending the production of a statement or record of needs. Just as appropriate provision and support should not wait for a formal diagnosis, nor should it wait for a formal description of needs. Placement or support may alter as needs are assessed and defined, but the process of identifying needs should occur as part of the educational process, not as an entry requirement.

Hi folks, I was going to post this link (my first post in yonks) but you beat me to it Jsmum. Like Cat, I'm feeling optimistic about the future. Things have to change, they can't have 'Every child matters' 'Every disabled child matter' ' Aiming High for the future' and all other Government Guidance then fail to meet the educational needs of children with SEN and disabilities!!!! I wrote to my Local Authority last year, I requested a Scrutiny Review of Special Educational Needs. They agreed and have now produced a summary report, which has been agreed and approved for submission to the Executive. I'm very pleased with the outcome so far. Fingers crossed it makes a difference. Something has to change to ensure that local authorities are not failing in their legal duties to meet the needs of children with SEN. If the Government think they are saving money by denying children their legal rights to SEN provision they are very wrong! Crisis management costs are huge and can lead to massive ongoing costs, sometimes for life. It's about time they realised this. I believe the time is now right for change, I don't think my scrutiny request would have been accepted a few years ago. For the first time parents are being given a voice. I hope, after their many struggles, they still have energy left to use it. Nellie xx

Mrs P, So very sorry to hear this sad news. My sincere condolences, my thoughts are with you and your family. Nellie xx

I am so very sorry, my thoughts are with you and your family. nellie <'> <'>

Thanks folks for all your kind words, they really mean a lot. Don't be sad that I'm going, be happy I was here. Sadly, I do have to go. It's not a spur of the moment decision, I've been giving it careful consideration for some time. I'm a senior citizen in a few months time. I hope to be enjoying my rail card, bus pass, free prescriptions, cheap hair do's and all the other concessions I've waited 60 years for!!! Smiley, <'> I didn't do it........you did!!!!! The credit is all yours, I only gave you information and a kick up the bum the encouragement, you did the rest. You're a fantastic mum! You're all fantastic! Nellie xx <'>

Hi folks, Sadly the time has come for me to say farewell, hang up my mod hat and leave the forum. This place has been a big part of my life for over three years, I'm going to miss it, but it's time to move on. Love and best wishes to you all. Nellie <'> <'>

I'm so sorry. <'> <'> Nellie xx

Welcome to the forum Leanne I've signed, I hope your petition makes a difference. Nellie xx

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Hope you have a great day. Nellie xx

Hev, Thanks for sharing that, it's always nice to hear good news. Well done Steve Nellie xx

Nice one Bid! Nellie xx

Flora, <'> It's good to have you back Lipstick Aspie, who thought up that name, I love it! Nellie <'>

tinytrace, it's lovely to 'see' you again. <'> <'> <'> <'> I'm saddened and angry to hear your update. I'm so sorry, it can't have been easy. I made a complaint about my LEA to my local ombudsman (many moons ago). IPSEA advised me to do this and took me through the whole process, I won my case. I wanted to ensure my LEA never made the same mistake with anyone else, and as far as I know, they haven't. You have nothing to lose by phoning or writing to IPSEA for advice. I hope you will stay around, there's lots of help and support here. Love your avatar. Nellie xx Tracy, This is the link to the Local Government Ombudsman http://www.lgo.org.uk/work_lgo.htm

Welcome to the forum Vicky, I agree I think you should contact IPSEA for advice. Sadly I think you're story will be familiar to lots of parents. You have come to the right place for information and support. Nellie xx

Yes, you can send you son to school without a statement. It might be worthwhile asking your husband to contact the LEA for advice and ask if there's any support agencies in the area who can help you, maybe a local autistic society or a parent group. You can make a formal request for a statutory assessment once you're living there (details below) your son doesn't have to be in a school to do this, as long as you are paying rates to that local council and your son is residing there. It's also worth contacting Parent Partnership although I must warn you, they are meant to be impartial but sometimes sit on the side of the LEA. You will find information on SEN procedures here and in the education section of the forum. http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1068&a=3229 Information on applying for a statutory assessment. http://www.ipsea.org.uk/sevenfixes.htm Parent Partnership Services provide advice and information to parents whose children have special educational needs. They provide neutral and factual support on all aspects of the SEN framework to help parents play an active and informed role in their child's education. Although funded by the local education authority they provide a service to parents and are often either run at arms length from the authority or by a voluntary organisation to ensure parents have confidence in them. Contact number can be obtained from your school or LEA. http://www.parentpartnership.org.uk/ Good luck with the move, hope it's successful. Nellie xx Sorry forgot to mention. His diagnosis and reports from Scotland can be used as evidence in England. The Statutory Assessment will be a mult-agency assessment including the Ed. Pych.

Lorry, <'> <'> I'm sorry, you have had a rough deal from SS for a long time. I went to the Ombudsman with a complaint against the LEA. I won my case. As I could only complain about maladminstration, IPSEA were very good in showing me the points I could complain about. Could you get someone to support you, maybe MENCAP, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, Cafamily or the CAB. I would have thought the CAB would have been able to give you good advice. The others should be able to tell you what you're rights are as a carer. It's worth looking on The Local Government Ombudsmen website, there's lots of information there, including report summaries. http://www.lgo.org.uk/work_lgo.htm Good luck, I hope you get some redress. Nellie xx

Hi Lynne, I take it by 'down there' you mean England. I think you will be able to apply for a statutory assessment once you are a resident of your local authority in England. You have to apply to the local authority you pay your rates to and that doesn't apply until your son and his main carer lives there. If you give ISEA a ring they should be able to advise. http://www.ipsea.org.uk/ Nellie xx

Simon, I am so sorry. My thoughts are with you and your family at this sad time. Nellie <'> <'>

Deedee/Helen, I'm so sorry. <'> <'> Nellie xx

Double whammy! Brilliant news! Nellie xx

Happy Birthday Simon! 21 again!! Nellie xx

Lisa, Was this a BBC news item? This sounds like it but it's a Scottish news item. Autistic pupils 'underachieving' http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6100622.stm

Sounds good to me, you're like a breath of fresh air ..........and you make me laugh! Nellie xx

Oh Karin, <'> <'> <'> I'm so sorry to hear your sad news, it must have come as such a shock. I hope you have someone to talk to and offer you some support. Karin, you have as much right to be here as anyone, you will always be welcome. My sympathies to you and yours. Please take care. Nellie <'> <'> <'>

Tracey, Considering your daughter has been out of school for so long it might be worth asking for the assessment to be fast tracked, you can find information in the Code of Practice. Children who may need immediate referral for statutory assessment. See - Code of Practice 7:30 7:31 7:32 If you don't have a COP, you can find details of how to get one here. You can also access it on line, you need to look at page 80 on the online version. Special Educational Needs Code of Practice - a guide for schools and LEAs about the help they give to children with special educational needs. Obtained free - 0845 60 222 60. http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/docbank/index.cfm?id=3724