Hectorshouse

Wey .... Hey ..... I did it .... didn't realise there was xmasy ones on krism thingy .. don't you love the technical terminology! Thanks suze Lindy - I've tried that photo bucket thingy before and got in a right muddle ... HHxx

One of my locals (for those of you that don't know I work in my local pub part-time) I found out the other day is a manager for DCC, she is part of the young offenders team. We got chatting like you do about the kind of young people that come her way, and as I am such an ASbore it took about 5 mins for me to ask if she had many AS children coming her way. .... that was it, 1 hour later .... well it turns out that she spends a lot of her time at the PRU's and said there has been a noticeable increase in the number of young people/ children coming into them with AS that have been missed by the system, or appropriate support not been put in place etc ... well we all know that one don't we! I then told her about T's story and generously gave her the cuttings from the paper, after I had confirmed that she was definitely nothing to do with the LEA/SEN dept, she said she would be very interested in supporting me with my campaign to get more ASD provision into the secondary schools in Exeter and a heightended awareness of ASD in general to the professionals that work with our children. .... all good so far, not boring you too much I hope .. Then she tells me about this presentation/seminar she is attending in January by a senior CPN who specializes in ASD, all those involved with AS children either SENCO's, youth workers etc ... are attending, I then gently asked do you every involve parents of children with AS in these kinds of meetings, as after all it is us that are living with them all the time and know are children better than anyone else or whatever a criteria specifies, she thought this was a brilliant idea and has formally invited me all expenses paid to the seminar, not to hyjack it, but to give her feedback, answer questions etc ... She is of the same opinion as most of us are, the earlier the intervention the better, she is very passionate that these children don't get seem in the wrong light and that a much deeper understanding is needed by professionals in the system. Also, on another note, we discussed the EBD school that the DCC have said would be the only other alternative for T if his placement fails, but even then won't be able to access it as it is full, she confirmed what I already knew .... wrong move, they are only set up for EBD, the ASD children their have real real problems and do not get the support they need, hence many of them are coming into the PRU's she works with. I think I may have myself an ally here, I'd like to know what anyone else thinks. HHxx

OK I'm a real technophobe, although better than I was a year or so a go, but I struggled for ages with getting even the boring avataar I've got now to work. ..... Please please could someone help me get a Fab xmasy one getting bored with my hammer head man HHxx

I think the more you know about the legislation and system the better, if the LEA know they are dealing with a parent who does actually know their stuff they are much more co-operative. In both LEA's I have now lived and been dealing with SEN I have had nothing but resistance, but most of this was I knew what I was doing and before I found Krism (of course ) since then I might have the odd splat but I don't take anymore of their waffle and rarely back down. Insistence, perseverance and knowledge, all help. HHxx

Just a quick line to say 'HI' to everyone new who has come on recently, this is a fab place and you are very welcome. I look forward to reading all your posts. HHxx

LKS I like your style, how thoughtful of you to copy those the HT seemed to forget and a nice touch with the 2 x 50p's. HHxx

Fab News I hope you have Fab christmas in your new house as well. HHxx

Hi LKS bit late to replying to this, not had much time to post just read lately, long suffering one is already looking not best pleased as I'm on the blumming puter. Anyway .... I agree that it needs following up, you are entitled to have a copy of this email and they have acknowledged it. It may be a useful piece of evidence at a later date, especially if you run into trouble with the SENCO Great that the HT has done this, well done to you and your perseverance. HHxx

Hi Fi it sounds like things could be happening for you now, I hope that the christmas party goes OK. Good luck with everything, HHxx

Lauren <'> <'> you keep going girl, your doing just fab, and we will be with you all the way, just come on and moan or ask the clever ones for advice. You are a lot stronger than you think you are. HHxx

Well done to you and the mum, HHxx

in our house I call it 'male domestic dyslexia' as all the very capable males (ie. long suffering one and A the techno teen are fully able to master videos/dvds/PS1 & 2's/operating power tools etc ...) when presented with a hoover or washing machine turn into mumbling incomprehensible wrecks HHxx

Just a quick up date, the paper published my full and unedited email to the editor yesterday along with another 5 of the comments added on the website. So it looks like this is still keeping up the interest for them to publish again, another thank you everyone. HHxx

Yeh!!! Get out there and have a FAB FAB FAB time. HHxx

Hi TM ... yep T does the rocking as well, but only when he is seriously stressed or on the come down from a melt down. Usually rocking, finger flicking, and berating himself all at the same time Its not something I remember him doing when he was little. HHxx And well done to your T for getting through the school concert

Fantastic link, and totally apt considering recent conversations. Thank you Brook, am printing it off now. HHxx

H G ... now that I do agree with. HHxx

Go Go TM This is real progress, and now the LEA are aware of the DX things might happen, what I'd be tempted to do ... sorry more letter writing, is confirm in writing what she has discussed with you over the telephone and keep a copy, you might need this at a later date. HHxx

Smileymab, yep you ca hang 'em out to dry with that!!!! And you do know your stuff cos you come here I would suggest and urgent meeting with the SENCO and HT with regard to what you have just found out, and possibly write a letter to the director of education at the LEA as well, the school have acted against their own SEN COP ... naughty naughty ... it just goes to show, once you know the system you CAN get it to work for you. Good luck, HHxx

If you do get hold of her, try getting her to email it to you, also that means you will have her email addy .. always useful The cut hours by the school actually strengthens your case, especially if the statement says something along the lines of XXX hours and the rest to be met from the school own budget ... if you get my drift, it says something like this in T's statement under provision. If you have anything in writing from the school about the cut hours due to funds again this helps your case, it is the LEA's responsbility to meet the needs of your child and make sure that the school are doing this. HHxx

Totally agree with what simon has said and forgot to add that in my pm. Also dig out that letter from the DfES to CEO's and have it with you at the AR meeting and get it recorded in minutes that you have passed this over ... ooppsss HH being a bit oh well. LEA's unless they know you that you are fully conversant with legislation will try and give you the run around ... as you probably know. HHxx

blumming water was cold *&(*&&**(** arrrrgghhhh!!!!!!!!! HHxx

<'> <'> <'> Paula, right there with you <'> <'> <'> HHxx

TM <'> <'> <'> <'> Don't stress, HHxx

TM have printed it off and am going to read it in the bath in a minute, its sooo cold here with my cr*p heating have resorted to the bath to warm up. So its not just some weird place to do my reading .. HHxx