phasmid
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Posts posted by phasmid
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I have just recieved The Council for Disabled Children's News Digest for Summer 2005. Can I reccomend you all to have a look - it is VERY interesting reading. May provide some useful information for many.
This digest, along with other useful resources, can be downloaded from: CDC website
Email kwilliams@ncb.org.uk if you would like to be added to their mailing list.
Let me know if it is useful to you
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Which is why the level of support around the country seems to be so patchy! This is a role, in my opinion, that ought (needs?) to be funded. Most volunteers have either some background in education or are parents like us. The PP service is far too important to be treated as an afterthought by the powers that be.
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When we were going through the diagnostic process part of it involved the Autistic Specialist Paedatrician carrying out observation on Phasmid Jr at school. We then had a meeting with her and the SENCo. First words out of her mouth was what a good actor he was, and how he was clearly having to 'hold it together' at school. What were his rages like at home was the second thing she said! (They could be pretty bad)
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Perhaps a friend could go with you? If not I suggest contacting your Parent Partnership Service through the LEA. They can be moral support and/or advisor at the meeting. They are impartial, their role is to support you. I am sure that others on here can suggest others who could be there for you (end of a longggg week and right now my minds gone blank!).
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Much of what you describe does fit AS. The fact that the school have called this meeting says to me that they obviously have some concerns about 'something'. What that 'something' is I am sure they will tell you at the time. But, in the meantime they have obviously got you worried - to me it is a bit unfair to have suuggested a meeting 'sometime in the next couple of weeks. Thats got you sitting and brooding on things.
Have you talked to anyone about what you have posted on here? GP, Health visitor, someone like that? If not why not do so now, it might put your mind at rest a bit. GP might be willing to make a referal to a peadatrician who can do a proper investigation into things.
In the meantime, do some research for yourself and see what you can find to help. The NAS website ( www.nas.org.uk ) would be a good starting point. SarahJane's suggestion of writting things down that you want to raise at the meeting is a very good one. It means that the things that you are concerned over will be discussed, not just the things that they are. This meeting ought to be minuted - and you should receive a copy. It 'could' be the first of many so get a file anf keep it safe. IF they start talking 'Eduspeak' at you (jargon) and you don't understand what the hell it means, ASK them. Don't get steamrollered into things that you haven't understood. If possible take someone you feel safe with to the meeting with you for moral support.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. Hope the above is of some use to you.
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HH, you did exactly the right thing. We have had odd days where Phasmid Jr has simply not been in the right 'frame of mind' to go in. One occasion that sticks out was 'Pants for (to?) Poverty' a few years ago. He was terrified. If he went in and wore his pants outside trousers he would be the only one so they would laugh at him, if he didn't wear them he would be the only one and they would laugh at him. I am sure you can see where we had a problem!
Well the lovely build up to the day started on the Wednesday morning when we got a whiff that 'something' was amiss (we didn't get given the letter from school about it 'cos he hid it), but we didn't know what. By Thursday morning we knew it was school related - but still we didn't know what 'it' was. That bombshell dropped in the form of a major meltdown Thursday night. It took a few hours to get through all the sh*t till we got to the bottom of it. Well by the Friday morning we could barely get him out of his room. He was in meltdown from the word go. It quickly became obvious that school was O-U-T!!! So we phoned in and said what was what.
They were brilliant. Told by head that we were doing the right thing (this was a very supportive school I have to say). He agreed that trying to make him go was putting Phas Jr in an impossible position, it simply wasn't worth putting him through it. Keep him off, it goes down as an 'authorised absence'. His current school have taken the same line on a couple of similar occasions. As they all said geting him to school would be a major thing for us and him, by the time we got him there he was likely to be so hyped up that he could have a meltdown at school (to dtae he's only had one), he didn't need that, they didn't need that and nither did we need the fallout afterwards.
Don't beat yourself up over it. It is just 2 days, which in the grand scheme of things is not a lot. If they cannot see the sense of your reaction to what happened they are ###### thick! Besides which the only person (besides him, of course) who has had to cope with the fall out has been you.
You did the right thing.
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SENCO told her that me returning T to f/t was abuse ... and this was before I got into the meeting ...!Really!This was her professional opinion was it? Can you get your PP lady to put that in writing I wonder...that would be a lovely quote.
...to which I said that unless they have an accurate record of the incidences and precurring events this information was as good as useless.
<'> Well done you. Absolutely spot on
Without a full account of the why's and the wherefore's of each event these 'records' are simply no use to anyone. They could not be used as any reliable form of evidence to show a pattern of behaviour, as they don't, as you rightly state, provide any insight into what may have sparked any 'behaviour'. The action plan you have thrashed out looks good to me, although it is a fairly short time span before it gets reviewed. The important thing is that they stick to it. The only thing I am concerned about is the video (My thoughts on this are on the TES website in full). Surfice to say, please make sure you see what they are planning on showing first (if you don't edit this yourself) . It could be very easy to scare some kids with some segments (imo).
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Just wanted to say good luck for this morning.
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As above.
Can I also ask if anyone could be kind enough to post the link on any boards they may visit as well. I'd like to get as many responses as possible. 100+ so far but more would add serious weight to my findings.
A big thank you to all who have filled it in already, and sorry to drag it back up the board again.
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First post of today made go GRRRRRR.
They are trying to throw their weight around - how dare they! Good for you for saying what you did.
But second post made me
Do the school know? I hope not, might shake them up when you BOTH turn up. I'm sure the choccies would be well recieved!
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Sometimes, just sometimes, asking about things is enough to show them you are taking a look at things. It 'could' be coincedence...
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Hi LKS.
Some thoughts on transfer. Picked these ideas up mid-week from a confrence I attended.
Get new school to take (or allow you to take) photos of new:
Classroom (3/4 different views)
Class Teacher
Class or own TA (if applicable)
Playground
Dinner hall
Important staff
and so on. Combine these with information about school layout and times of the school day. Build this into a book about the school and use this for your son to gain information at his own pace. Ask him what he would like to have included (things he might think are important you might not put in otherwise). I saw an example of this and thought 'How ###### obvious - it such a simple idea but it's so effective'.
This advice may be here already I don't know, but thought i'd pass it on. Could be useful for some.
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There is a link to the PES on the BBC news page where they first broke the story. They don't have any publication date shown on there that I could find.
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I will keep my eyes peeled for any more articles and will post the links up. If anyone spots any could they do the same. From my research point of view this has brought the issue to the fore (no bad thing anyway IMO), but it is providing some very good secondary source material for me to use in my dissertation.
As for Warnocks new phamplet if anyone can find here I can get a copy I'd be very grateful as so far I have been unable to track it down. It does seem to be out there somewhwere - I just can't find where!
If Warnock does nothing else with this but raise the problems faced by funding of SEN provision in both mainstream and special schools then she may have done a great deal of good.
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OK. Do you have a copy of the SEN Code OF PRactice? (if not it is available on line via www.dfes.gov.uk) Look at end of chapter 2 Roles and responsibilities of schools. They are required to publish a specific SEN policy document (if they have a website it may be available on-line) This document should explain, clearly, their SEN policy. They are required to have one. It is not an 'option' it is a legal requirement. Hopefully, from this you can see what has or has not been done (according to THEIR policy) in suppoprting your daughter. IPSEA and PP will be best placed to advise you as to whether they have fulfilled their policy in your daughters case.
Clearly they have been keeping some sort of record with this 'Talbot book'. You are entitiled to see this. You may have to mutter something about the 'Freedom of Information Act' to get it, but you can get it. Again they cannot deny you access to it. Ask them where it is, when can you have a copy etc. There should be nothing to hide here. If they have followed their own policy what reason would they have to deny you access to this...and if they say you can't have it ask them exactly that question.
Before going I would put into your mobile the number for the LEA SEN support team, PP etc. If they do refuse access, stand there in front of them and make the call to the LEA and complain. A parent I advised to do this recently heard them take the LEA call whilst on the phone to PP. The documents suddenly became available! Show them you mean business and they soon realise that it is better to have you on baord with them.
HTH
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All IEPs are 'supposed' to be cc'd to parents. If the school has one in place they can say what they like of it, BUT, and it is a big BUT, if the parents haven't agreed to the content of the IEP it is a piece of paper with some lines on it. I have had my son's changed on more than one occasion. I can see Helen's point about the school trying to change them so, you need to pre-empt this.
Because there is doubt over your daughters IEP and it's content ask for a copy first thing Monday morning, tell them you'll wait whilst they photocopy the current version.They cannot refuse to supply you with this document. You are entitiled to a copy. I would also suggest asking for a copy of the schools own SEN policy. This should contain details of who is supposed to be doing what. Again, they cannot refuse to supply them. They are entitiled to make a charge to cover the cost of copying (5p a sheet is the norm) so take some change! The other place to look is your LEAs website. Have a trawl through there SEN policies as well. Do not let the school fob you off with any excuses. They should have sent you a copy of the IEP in the first place.
As well as IPSEA get in touch with Parent Partnership - they can help too.
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Nellie is spot on, I missed that point, apologies.
If the school have not exhausted all options at School Action then support should move on to School Action +, then, and only then will most LEAs even think about the statementing process.
In your case, as nellie so rightly says, they could easily claim that 'all options' at SA and SA+ have NOT yet been tried. Therefore they could use this as a way of avoiding the statementing process. That said, going ahead with the request will show the school that you mean business. It might give them the kick up the rear they need to get things in place.
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Send in photocopies - keep all originals. Things get lost in the post!
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All LEAs are required to have a specific SEN transport policy. Ask them for a copy. It should give details of levels of support on trips etc.
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Stick to your guns HH and don't go without support. This meeting should also be minuted. Don't let them set a time limit on it either!
I always advise people that you write down everything you want to raise at the meeting. That way you can make sure that everything that is worrying you is disscussed.
Good luck.
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Hi Darky,
Agree with other posters. What you have had to say in answer to my questions would lead me to say that the school are not addressing your daughters needs. You have, from what you say, been very patient with them. Now is the time to put your foot down and demand action from them.
You will need to write a letter to the LEA stating very clearly that; 'I (you) wish to have my daughter assessed for a Statement of Special Educational Needs' You must make a statement worded to this effect. They then have to go through a set procedure in order to respond to this. Your local Parent Partnership Service will be able to help you with this (PLEASE, don't be put off that PPS are set-up by the LEA, they are a legaly required level of support for parents. and ARE independent of the LEA, who just fund them).
It may not be an easy process, but I think you have little choice. In the meantime I would also suggest a letter to the school asking them to explain what support your daughter is currently in reciept of, the who's, what's when's and why's! Start asking questions. It ought to spur things along while you wait for the LEA response.
Just remember, you're NOT alone, others have been through similar experiences and will help. Keep us up to date, and good luck.
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Just on the way out to work so will not be able to answer after this till later. I know a bit about PDD.
The lack of an IEP is bothering me. Are we talking state school here or private? If it is a state school their argument that:
everychild at her school is supposed to be classed as an individual with needs and targets.is quite frankly a poor attempt to dodge their responsibilities! O.K, so no IEP (YET!), is she on 'school action' or 'school action +'? Have they in fact addressed any connected issues?
I'll get back to you.
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Helen has hit the nail on the head here. What you are working with are reccomendations. That said there is no real reason that these should not be followed - the TA has at least shown willing on this by asking for exercises. Get some and give them in - with a list of the reccomendations and ask what else they require from you to get these rolling!! Go for the guilt factor!
Before I can be of help I need to ask a few things; Has she got an IEP? What does it say? Have you seen it? Has it been reviewed at all? You say you have a DX - can I ask what it is? Sorry for all the questions but I have more advice I can give, but what it is does depend on diagnosis and IEP and so on.
Aspergers in mainstream schools
in Education
Posted · Edited by phasmid · Report reply
Hi
You've been there so probably know this! Encourage Teachers/TA's to talk to the parents - not AT them. A list of useful websites and upto date publications would be good.