phasmid

Hi Illy. Forget the Ed Psych. They will see an act that is put on to cope with school. When the specialist who diagnosed Phas jr saw him in school her first words when we met later that morning "He's a good actor." !! Need I say more. As advised go to your GP and go the hospital route, in the long run it is likely to be quicker. Oh, and welcome to the forum.

Depends on the LEA as to which title is used. Some use all 3: TA as explained above. LSA ditto CSA same as a TA, just a different title. Other LEAs will use one or the other or a combination of them. I prefer my definition. TA supports individuals/groups and supports the teacher. LSA supports a pupil. The level of qualifications for any of these roles can vary enormously from school to school, never mind LEA to LEA. Some set minimums standards some require more. Some set them according to the specific role the TA/CSA/LSA is being taken on for. So that's now as clear as mud!

Phas jr was seen by different people 7 or so years apart. He was first picked up as possibly being on the spectrum aged around 3. He was seen by a leading expert who declined to give us the diagnosis (even though we have since discovered that the 'label' she thought would be 'un-helpful' was in fact on his hospital notes). When he reached about 10 we began to have serious concerns and approached GP for a referal. On this occasion the diagnosis of Aspergers was given in a process lasting no more than 6 months. It varies up and down the country by all accounts. If you haven't heard from them chase them up.

I am a Teaching Assistant so here's my take on it. In my case I have undertaken additonal training that allows me to teach groups of pupils (either within the classroom or withdrawn into other areas). I am able to plan my own sessions and set the work according to the needs of the children I work with. However this is nt where my role starts and ends. In addition I also support groups or individual pupils within a classroom based lesson. I work alongside the teacher, often having input into IEPs and giving feedback (both formal and informal) on the childrens progress. I work with the SENCo as well as the class teacher. My role is to support the teacher as much as it is to support the children. In my LEA, at least, a LSA is normally attatched to one specific child supporting their learning in whatever way the SENCo or the teacher directs. They may or may not have specialist knowledge and or training specific to the needs of the child they are supporting. There role is not to support the teacher directly. Hope that clears it up a bit.

Found this for you: http://www.mugsy.org/wing2.htm It traces the history of Aspergers as a seperate diagnosis in it's own right from the mid 1940's on. Hope it is of some use to you.

Just shows, it CAN be done. Nice to hear a success story Viper.

Do the taxi drivers carry mobiles? If so can they not ring you when they arrive and let you know they have arrived that way? (Or radio their office and have them do it?) I know from experience that, even with the best will in the world, no taxi firm can say with absolute certainty that they will arrive at 8-05 am (for example). This might be one way to solve the problem.

Thanks for the replies everyone. Mother Eve, I will e-mail the DRD with the same e-mail I sent the DRC and see what happens. I can understand everybodys concerns with the cards, though only to a point. Pjas jr has a bus pass typ card already with his name and picture on it (this is a local thing due to his age not his AS). He has something similar for the youth club he attends. No doubt some of you reading this thread will have children with DLA and therefore, in some cases - but not all, may have a disabled parking badge for your child. This too will have a photo and name on it. My point being that this sort of card is already 'out there' in a different form. Therefore a card saying that this person has a registered disability would just be an extension of this. I won't let Phas Jr carry any of his cards with him when they are not needed and he knows exactly when they need to be shown and, more importantly, to whom.

Some information on here: cluster headaches Don't know how much of it will be relevent to you, but there might be something on here that could help.

Went elsewhere and whilst surfing I remembered reading something recently about headaches. There is something called either 'Cyclic(al) headaches' or 'Waterfall headaches'. Mrs Phasmid and I read it as she used to suffer miagraine headaches so it was interesting. Can't remember what we read the article in. A google search might throw something up. We can remember it saying that some people get them so badly they cannot function, to break the cycle some people had to be knocked out in hospital.

Well, I got a reply from the DRC. Here it is. Comments anyone? So, I think the next target ought to be the DLA people themselves. If anyone has a website address or an e-mail contact for them please PM me with it. I'll see what they have to say about it.

http://www.asd-forum.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=3272 It's on the above thread. You need the second of the two links I put up. Hope it helps.

There was another thread about transport on the forum recently. On it I pointed the poster towards the DfES guidance for school transport for children with SEN. All the LEA duties and obligations are disscussed in this document. ALL LEAs are required to have an SEN specific transport policy. In it should be the information you need. I think the thread was in 'Education'. I'll have a look and see if I can find it for you and post the link from it on here.

Will keep everything crossed for you that this is nothing serious.

In a nutshell: The system stinks!

Your right Helen, but the issue of funding is the heads problem. They may not like it, probably don't, but they still do not have the right to decide unilaterally to not put forward a parental request for assessment of SEN for a statement because it may mean extra provision but no extra funding for it. This appears to have happened here, so, take them right out of the equation and send it to the LEA. The lack of funding if a statement is issued is an issue between the school and the LEA - it should not be an issue for the parent (I know it wil be but, that is a seperate battle).

Just had a look...er, does anyone understand double-dutch?

Look here: SURDS! Any help?

I agree. By-pass the school and make the request directly to the LEA. They have to respond. They may come back and say that they believe that there is nothing to assess if they take the heads advice. You can circumvent this by, as suze says, sending in as much of your own evidence as possible. Copies of IEPs and anything else you may have. Just because the head doesn't agree with your request does not allow him/her to block a parental request for assessment - it IS against the Code of Practice!

Mirry, those forms will get done in a few days time when you have had the chance to get things at school sorted a bit first. Don't even think about them for a few days. One thing at a time! We'll keep saying it!! I like the idea of the priority list. Might be a good idea.

I agree with TylersMum (this is very confussing ). You need to speak to the school to find out what is going on. Try not to go into 'battle mode' just yet, give them a fair chance to explain what is going on first, and do it sooner rather than later.

Blimey ,things have changed since the last little Phasmid was born! I didn't know mums or their babies could come with a broadband connection! The wonders of modern technology! Sorry, but that did tickle my sense of humour

Just saw this too. Will make sur I have plenty of petrol in the car and am going to get some jerry cans for good measure...I have a college to get to, work I can walk if I have to.

That's excellent . Glad to have been of service. Whatever you keep them in I would strech a pair of tights over it if there are any holes that they may escape from when the start to breed (which they will!). I hope enjoys them.