Hectorshouse

... OK I've been keeping back from this thread, because I didn't really want to write my sorrows up, but then today was a strong day (considering this time of year its usually not, so I'm big up on that today!). I have been on and off of anti-deps since my husband died, but saying that I was prone to depression since I can remember, its not since T's dx that I actually started looking at myself and him and realised that actually his quirkiness is not dissimilar to mine, and came to the realisation through discussions with my Mum and GP that YEP I'm AS as well. Not that it bothers me, I've always been barking and the IBS is something that I live with, the OCD has its uses although sometimes I'm OCD about the wrong things. I just wish I could find my keys .. or my wallet ... or that letter I was gonna post etc ... I have been off the happy pills for about 6 months now and seemingly doing fine, (note too self ... need to ask long suffering one his opinion) I am coping with the problems the LEA throw at me, having no longer decided to take it on the chin. Understanding T has made me understand me, it has also given me great purpose in my life in fighting for appropriate SEN provision not just for T but for everyone I know who is in this position .. anyway enough of that. I think having a child with ASD is hard (understatement of the year) but what I have learnt since and found in the way of support has far outweighed a lot of the negative sides of things ... (HH ducks as T realises its 6.01 and tea is NOT on the table and is about to do the time stress thingy!!). It does get better, the more of us that pull together and share our wealth of knowledge the less lonely it also seems. GROUP HUG TO ALL MY KRISMITE'S .... WE ARE THE BARKING CLUB!! - There is no such thing as Normality ... Just different degrees of Madness!!! - (quote from a rizla packet .. just about sums it up) HHxx

OK have booked TV for next week for this and am going to video it as well. Thanks for this, HHxx

Go Kathryn ... These are questions you are entitled to ask, and I would be very interested in the answers. HHxx

Just got this reply from IPSEA ... "I have forwarded your email to Roger Inman and John Wright and one of them will be in touch." Will be interested if they do follow this up .. will keep you posted. HHxx

Mum-Tee found this and thought it might be of interest to you.... http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forums/

Kathryn, you have had such a hard time of things, but I am sooo glad that L is now happy in college and things seem to be improving for you all. I would be tempted to agree with previous comments, what would you achieve now if you pursued this and do you really need the stress. That doesn't mean give up on making the LEA be seen for what they are, I would say as Tez has done, campaign ... bring it to the attention of the press, raise the awareness even more, how many other families like you are struggling, they're must be loads. There is more than one way to 'out them' so to speak for abissmal way you have been treated, and your story might help others ... Thinking of you, I know that you will decide to do what you feel is best. HHxx

... have emailed it to the reporter at the local rag HHxx

TM .... thats what we're here for Good luck, gimme a shout if you need anthing. HHxx

I've just emailed IPSEA as well, thought they might like to know ... HHxx

Another one added to my favourite list ... Nice One!!!! HHxx

My mum just rang me with this so I thought I would share it with you guys as well. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1904847,00.html HHxx

I really hope so Phas, I was disapointed that I haven't been contacted by the editor as well, but am going to email the reporter with my comments to the editor attached and ask her opinion on this, as well as raising the question of what are they going to do about the responses, clearly this is an issue that isn't devoted to Devon (as we all know) but are they (the Expres & Echo) brave enough to really put this story (SEN provision failing our ASD children) in the limelight. And on that note .... if anyone still wants to go on and add their comments I would be delighted. HHxx

Hi TM, with T's AR earlier this year I was given a very small form to complete, I ignored this and went through his Statement bit by bit and listed where I felt his needs weren't being met in accordance with provision. I also, kept I diary of problems that I had with the school and included this into my report as well. If you have any other reports or assessments that have been done since the last review (or statement finalisation) you can add these as well, and if there are recommendations that been suggested but not actioned either on new reports or initial reports then you can raise these as well. My blog has got my parental rep on it and T's statement, the parental rep is an extended version of my AR report, as we going through reassessment at the same time. If you have anything that you would like me to read over and offer suggestions then please feel free to PM me your email addy and I'll see if any of my pearls can be of use. If anything I have learnt, the most important is not to be steam-rollered into anything. Also ACE have some good stuff on their website about the AR and their book 'Special Education Handbook' is a fab accompiment to the COP and deals with AR in depth as well. http://www.ace-ed.org.uk HHxx

Good luck for tuesday Lauren, don't take any prisoners, stand by your points and make sure they get in the minutes for the annual review. We're all here to support you, HHxx

Thanks to everyone who has commented, this is really supportive and greatly appreciated. HHxx

Nikrix, have just updated the link to my blog, it should work now. Its not as up to date as I would like it, because I've been a complete burk! Updated a load of stuff on puter, but forgot about saving some of password stuff, and now I've locked myself out of it doh! Anyone know any hackers ..? HHxx

Clarkie I noticed your comments still haven't been added to those already there, do you fancy sending it again? HHxx

Phas, have just bought todays edition of this paper and they have published 5 of the comments from the website. I don't wish to publish those names here, although I know they are on the other site, just trying to keep a level of anonymity between here and there ... if you get my drift. If anyone wants to know whose were published then please pm me. Thank you everyone, I've been overwhelmed by your support. HHxx

... hey suze it must be that blumming horse ... cantering around everywhere

Hey now easy girls (& boys) ... whats this about me getting about a bit! Thanks TM but yep I'm here as well .. HHxx

[SIZE=7]HAPPY BIRTHDAY KERRE[/size] HHxx

Just found this on the independent website http://education.independent.co.uk/schools/article330381.ece and am now emailing them T's story HHxx

Just a quick line to say that T had a really good day, things happened that caused him distress ... like the technician not being able to work with him to edit the soap opera that T had Filmed/Directed/Written even though I had prepared him that he might get called away, he got upset but no major meltdown. Best of all when he did become seriously stressed he managed to use FUDGEY DONKEY instead of all the colourful choice swear words he has accumulated. This is a huge success for T and his TA also made it very clear how happy she was that he had managed this choice. He even asked me today if I was really proud of him like I said I was, so gave him a big hug and said that yes definitely I was, and it has shown me and him that he can make choices if he really wants to. The social stories have gone down really well with school and T really got on well with them as well. Well done my T, a small step for some, but a huge step for him. HHxx

Good luck Lauren, you know you have all our support. HHxx

We've moved around sooo much, when we were in Oxon my husband killed himself when T was 4 and A was 7, this was before T was dx'd. We then moved to Devon and they put all the boys problems down to this, which is fairly understandable, even after dx though they wouldn't acknowledge his needs. When we moved to Cornwall we finally got the first statement of SEN when he was 10 Cornwall were fairly sh*t as far as LEA's go but I starting learning the system and as for Devon ... well you all now whats been happening to us since our move here. HHxx