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westie

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Everything posted by westie

  1. This article may be of interest to you: http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6032834# I have posted this before on here, so some of you may have seen it previously. Take care, D
  2. Hi,please have a look at the presentation made at the latest PDA conference by Liz and her Colleague (see my other post made here) and then consider completing the questionnaire if your child 6 -17yrs has a diagnosis, or you suspect PDA. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Just to let you know that there is research going on about PDA at King's College London. They have developed a questionnaire about PDA (with the help of the Elizabeth Newson Centre) for parents to fill out about children aged 6-17. It doesn't matter if your child doesn't have an official diagnosis, please fill it in anyway! If you would like to take part, please go to this link: http://www.autism.org.uk/en-GB/Get-involved/Volunteer/Take-part-in-surveys-and-research/Research-recruit-people-or-participate/Research-projects-children-and-young-people/Pathological-Demand-Avoidance-questionnaire.aspx If you want to know more about the researchers involved (Liz O'Nions and Francesca Happe), here are their staff profiles. http://www.iop.kcl.ac.uk/staff/profile/default.aspx?go=10942&local=True http://www.iop.kcl.ac.uk/staff/profile/default.aspx?go=12616&local=True Research is the way to get PDA to a wider audience and more accepted among clinicians, so please do fill out the questionnaire.
  3. westie

    ball blankets

    Hi Didnt see this thread before I posted yesterday in the resources section about same subject, sorry! I am not sure how to delete the other thread in resources section though - anybody know how I could? The company I mentioned is the same one as you mention on here
  4. westie

    ball blankets

    oh right it did mention a lead time on these items, explains why! I noticed it as the company is based not so far away from me, which is what made me read more about it.
  5. westie

    ball blankets

    Was reading another post which mentioned ball blankets, and on researching them I found a UK stockist of the ball blankets (price similar to what was mentioned in the post I saw, however they do a childs version which is a little cheaper (if it is for a child of course) and some other sensory stuff. http://www.kingkraft.co.uk/shop/department/sensory_corner/ An article about the blankets, and their usefullness (it mentions they can be loaned from the company mentioned above) is here: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/health/Comfort-blanket-helps-Holly-sleep.6668778.jp sorry for hijacking your post, just thought that the links/ info may be useful..
  6. Hi am really pleased you have had such a postive weekend. I found some info about a uk stockist of the ball blanket you mentioned (sounds V interesting!) but rather than hijack this I have posted in resources section. Hope the rest of the stay goes well and he continues with the good progress X
  7. My youngest jumps around all the time when on a computer/ WII game, and cant seem to stop for long, even when reminded (where he gets his energy from I do not know!) luckily he is only 5 and quite slim, wonder if he will be doing it when he is as old as yr lad?! It does take time to change behaviours/ responses (to whatever, and whether you have a diangosis of ASD or no diagnosis but some behaviour is becoming an issue for your or others) but I think it is worth putting time and effort in as it will benefit them (or you!)in the long run. Sometimes knowing what to do to change it (a particular behaviour or response) is the issue, and that is when help and input and support is needed. Its not always easy to either find a solution, or persist in keeping on with it and that is when you most need support, I feel, to keep at it even when it seems not to be working. Or to recognise that you have given it long enough and perhaps its time to try something else! sorry this bit is perhaps not directly relevant to your post but I will keep it here anyway save posting again!
  8. Hi, I think assessment for a statement is a good thing at this early age, his needs should be identified, support given and this may help him long term. As others are pointed out help can be reduced if necessary it is much harder to fight for it later! A supportive network of professionals around your child and family will help no end. My eldest son was assessed for a statement this process started a couple of months before his 4th birthday and it was in place for him starting full time reception. He has needed the support and help, and is still statemented now, in Y7. It has helped enormously Have a very happy christmas X
  9. Hi. I think considering sitation that staying there, and giving you the opportunity to visit shortly after, sounds like the best solution so I am glad this has happened. I hope that things do start happening after the holiday period too. enjoy your christmas and take care X
  10. That sounds so hard for you, and your children. I wonder if you could find a family law solicitor in your area who offers a short, free appointment that may help you with some basic advice about what options you could take to help. Others may suggest a helpline which will offer the same sort of advice. (I think someone has already posted some advice, and I think contacting the NAS helpline may also help as they may also be able to point you towards some advice. I haven't been through similar so cannot offer more than that but I hope that you do find a way forward, for yourself and your children to be able to maintain a good relationship. Take care
  11. Obviously I do not know the full situation and story but from what I have read there is the possibility that Lucy may be embarrased or confused and not wanting Jake to find out about her relationship with the girl you mention. She has distanced herself from you because it reminds her of it, coupled with the fact that you know about it (and maybe she is aware on one level of the feelings you had for her as more than a friend) she may on one level fear that you will tell Jake - I am assuming he is not aware of the relationship with the girl. When people break up with a partner and then have a relationship in between and get back with the original partner then it may be difficult to discuss or think about what happened in between) I would think that Jake, if he knows nothing about this other relationship or the tensions between you and Lucy or the fact you have had "more than a friend" feelings for her may not have picked up anything other than out of the blue you have removed him from your friend list on xbox and texted him to say you do not want to hang around with them any more?? I am not justifying their behaviour and saying they are right by the way, just trying to figure out how it may have developed - and I may be completely off track. I would not recommend you tell everyone the things they have confided in you, it may backfire. If you make new friends and they find out they may think you will tell everyone things they say to you in confidence. Maybe you should instead try to speak to Lucy in private (face to face if possible) as the main issues seems to be around her and her attitude towards you, and then you can explain how you feel she has treated you wrongly and give her the chance to explain why she has behaved in this way towards you. After this you will hopefully know why she has acted in that way. She may even apologise and this may allow you to rebuild your friendship with Jake (if you want to, and of course this may also have to be planned but if you resolve things with Lucy then this may make it easier). I think if you do have a counsellor in college then it is worth talking through things with them if you can, they will be objective and not force you to take a particular course of action but will keep what you say in confidence (unless they fear harm to yourself or others). Why do you feel they will psychically attack you? If this is the case then they are not friends and dont go near them but report your concerns to an lecturer, or a counsellor, in college. They will not divulge information about Jake and Lucy's private lives to others, but will be able to offer some advice about your own safety. If it is making you so unhappy at college that is not good, are there any groups or anything you could join to make friends? I read your other post about losing your xbox friends and it sounds like you are feeling quite isolated at the minute, is this situation with these two the start of that or just one more thing adding to your feelings? Maybe you could start an xbox gaming group on facebook, and invite people from your college and others to join and chat about xbox/ gaming and this will meean you can build new friendships with others who are interested in the same things as you? Take care I hope you find a way forward X
  12. Latest PDA video 19/12/10 #8 PDA Education and Handling. "Strategies" latest PDA video about Strategies, very useful and also entertaining, particularly the top 10 tips at the end. Forward on to any parent, education or other professional who works or cares for a child with PDA! videos 6 and 7 in the series are well worth watching too. They are all based on information and tips given in guidelines/ conference and research papers issued by the Elizabeth Newson Centre and other professionals who work with children who have this diagnosis.
  13. Hi what about trying some voluntary work to get a better idea of what you like, and gain some skills to help you get a paid job? Search on google for 'voluntary action' and the name of the place you live to see if there is a service like this in your area, or ask at the job centre, as I am sure they would think it is a positive step you could take alongside still looking for employment. I do a number of voluntary roles and through these have gained a lot of experiences that will help me hopefully gain a job in the future. The roles could be outdoors types, shop work, working in schools or a childrens centre, with young people (though you will have to have CRB etc for most roles and provide a ref. I am sure that the job centre or similar will help with this). Also there are lots of ways to study and get skills to help your job search, check out WEA they offer adult community courses for a variety of things I did two of their courses: 'helping in schools' and 'helping in schools with SEN' and got two qualifications and some experience as you have to do a placement in a local school for 20hrs to pass. There is a search facility you enter your postcode and it will tell you all that are happening in your area. www.wea.org.uk and also microsoft do online courses to help develop skills using their packages like word, powerpoint and excel. I will try and add a link later (my computer keeps playing up I have typed variations on this message about 4 times now and lost it when I have tried to open another tab to copy a link to this message!) http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/training/training-default.aspx link to microsoft learning programmes, you can search for programmes in your area. edited to included this link! Good luck with your search
  14. Hi, just to say as someone else pointed out there may be a personal reason for the person to leave at short notice (I obviously dont know whether this is the case but the head may have sounded cagey as they could get into trouble for telling you why) I left my job a couple of years ago. I had a contracted 3 month notice period, and I had to leave after giving two weeks notice. This was due to childcare falling through, they had given me their 2 weeks required notice and I didnt have a back up person to look after them (which was why I left my job completely to care for them both). My employer was understanding fortunately about this I am very grateful to them, I had worked there for a long time - over 15yrs - and it was not a job that someone could just walk in and take over as quite a specialised area. With regards to replacement LSA I agree I would not sign anything and would not be happy with proposed suggestion at all. It seems hard for me to understand why they cannot move another person in already in school till the CRB is sorted for this other person, though maybe they concerned its too many changes.... sounds difficult for you I hope things are sorted to your satisfaction XX
  15. wow thats fantastic, really pleased for you and yr son XX
  16. westie

    An Update

    Sorry to hear you are not well. I am glad your neighbour has helped you and I hope that the hospital and other supporters around you take good care of you and you are soon feeling well again. Take care of yourself, X D
  17. sounds like a nightmare situation. Poor lad, I hope you get somewhere. <'> I have asked school to look at the following programme for my son who is also at the minute suffereing a lot of anxiety, as I have no hope of him getting a CAMHS appointment any time soon, though I have asked for an urgent referral... I bought the book a while ago and have taken it into school for them to read and assess. It can be done in school or at home, alone or in a small group it says and it is CBT but designed for use with young people with Asperger syndrome.My son has a diagnosis of PDA but I have done a similar thing with him a couple of years ago with anger management and I think it helped (it certainly did not harm and I timed it so that we did not do too much at once). http://www.amazon.co.uk/Exploring-Feelings-Anxiety-Cognitive-Behaviour/dp/1932565221/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292280240&sr=8-1 Other book maybe worth looking at (at home): http://www.amazon.co.uk/What-When-You-Worry-Much/dp/1591473144/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1292280587&sr=1-1
  18. Does your sons statement mention ASD as his diagnosis,and something along the lines that that the school needs ASD specific training/ strategies to use with him? Or anything along those lines, as if this is the case then you could challenge the fact that they are not meeting his needs as outlined in his statement if they do not do this/ seek some advice? Is it an independent special school rather than an maintained special school (which would explain why the autism advisory teacher will not get involved) I know that the team in my area would visit and give advice at least to a maintained school, but only if invited to do so. Not sure if it was independent, I think they would probably have to pay for training/ advice.. btw I am not an expert so this is just questions/ guesswork (based on some knowledge/experience)and I am sure that you have already considered this, but just in case...
  19. Annual review was on friday, they told me the reading assessment that they gave him (which included comprehension) showed he had age appropriate reading skills. The legibility of his writing is a concern but he using alternative forms of recording,and still doing some writing. (he complains about pain in his hand after writing for some time think related to low muscle tone?). They said his spelling is not so good, and they are testing him again in Jan. and deciding if he needs further help. He is receiving some booster english lessons so will see how that goes. Don't think they see him having a specific learning difficulty in this area. They also did not appear to be too concerned about the maths, however I was (and still am!) and asked them to speak to his maths teacher and look into whether they can further differentiate his work to allow him to progress. I do not think that making no progress from first term of Y5 to the end of Y7 (if he achieves is aspirational target) was really acceptable. they said that a level 3 at primary is not the same as level 3 at secondary but still his maths teacher, according to their report, still does not expect him to progress beyond the level he is already at. I had looked back at his history (those saved annual reviews came in handy all those years later!)and he has been behind since Y2, with comments being made each review. The time when he did make significant progress was when he was working in a small group with other children who were struggling a lot, with a very differentiated workload and practical aids in a program designed by senco who was very experienced in working with children with SEN - in this group he moved 3 sub levels from a 2a to a 3a in one term at the start of Y5! So maybe just putting him in a lower set is not enough to make a difference. They also told me I can discuss my concerns with the Ed psych when we have a meeting in the new year, and meanwhile they are to look further into the maths issue. I was very happy with the meeting overall, they have supported his referal to CAMHS (I have asked GP) and they are getting autism communication team in too. They also suggested we reduce homework to just core subjects of maths, english and science for a time, to reduce pressure. His TA is brilliant, and listens to feedback from him and us and acts upon it. In fact the staff I have met so far are all good, and even his teachers who I have yet to meet seem to be a pretty understanding bunch. He has had a better week last week overall, seems a bit happier though he did have a couple of upsets. They told me his effort grade (variable in maths) is affected by a number of things, its not purely a reflection of behaviour/ attention in class. I think I have figured part of the reason why it is 'variable' - he is completing his homework and not handing it in! He has not handed his work in today despite him finishing it yesterday, and thinking back I have found two or three maths sheets that have been completed and not been handed in. He seems unconcerned. I cant understand why he would not hand it in if it is finished, unless he thinks it is wrong?? Anyway thanks all for your help and suggestions and support. I will let you know how the meetings in the new term go, and whether there is anything that can be done to help with the maths. Lets hope LEA maintain his statement (cant see why not but you never know!) X
  20. pleased things are moving forward and hope that the meeting goes well and they can offer you some help and advice X
  21. Just another thing, I am not sure how it operates in different areas but where I live a number of service providers applied for "short break funding" from the aiming high for disabled children fund. And this includes children with ASD. Our local NAS group have been able to run a computer/ activity club for children with ASD to attend once a week (it is based in a special school) and then also bowling activities once a fortnight. They have also been able to run a trip to Drayton Manor in the summer as well, and fund a number of tickets to disney on ice. There are other groups in the area such as sports and after school clubs, youth groups, music and drama groups etc that run different days of each week (not ASD specific, for children with any disability) to suit different age ranges, and are held in different areas of the borough. Whether this funding will continue into the new financial year who knows? But it is good I think, and if there are such groups in your area this may be another thing to look into in terms of getting a break and allowing your child to take part in a suitable activity and have some fun too! Try googling aiming high for disabled children short breaks (and your area/ city) and you may find something? This is information from our council about the short breaks (you can click on a link and download all the information about the groups providing the services in our area, and the types) http://www.rotherham.gov.uk/info/200034/disabilities/878/aiming_high_for_disabled_children/1
  22. Hi, I think looking for direct payments info on your local council website would be best way to go about finding out how to apply, I think you have to have a social services assessment (of yourself as a carer for your child). There are some general information about direct payments here: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone/MoneyMatters/DG_10018517 I think that you actually employ someone and it can be anyone even a friend to take your child out, (not someone living in same house though) and this can bring with it responsibilities such as paying tax/ NI potentially. I think I remember a friend telling me they used a service like crossroads, and then later on I think a TA from the school agreed to come and spend some time with them for a couple of hours a week. There may be local support groups in your area who may offer a befriending service, or who can give you some more advice and help as other parents may have been in same situation, you could give them a ring. Or use the NAS service directory. Good luck, sounds like you could do with a break. and your daughter some opportunities to get out X
  23. wow if your child was only diagnosed a few weeks ago you will have a lot on your mind anyway besides this issue. Maybe in a few months, when you understand more about the diagnosis and your child is getting more help and support (and perhaps you will have built up a network of people to support both you and your family) then it will be easier to make a decision. It sounds like you have had a tough time over the years, it has not been easy for you has it? <'>
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