Emotional as well as Educational Needs in Education

[anewor]

Aagh!!!!

 

Is anyone out there, like me, completely exasperated with their local education authority's refusal to admit that although the local comprehensive school can meet all of my Asperger's son's educational needs - it can't possibly cater for his emotional needs - and therefore won't consider a Statement or a contribution towards school fees in a smaller school?

 

I'm just so cross that although EVERYONE I speak to agrees, there seems to be little any of us can do about it. My son was diagnosed in 2004/05. I was then working 30 hours a week to fit around taking and fetching him from school each day and just making ends meet. As I'd managed without financial help for 9 years already - the DLA money was a bonus.

 

I therefore chose to spend his DLA money on sending him to a local independent school when he started in Year 7 this September (with my fantastic mum and sister making up the �80 per month shortfall). I felt this particular school would not only meet his educational needs (he's now able to work to his full potential because of the smaller relaxed surroundings which will hopefully secure him an independent lifestyle when he's older) but his emotional needs too - smaller building, small class sizes, no bells! and fewer teachers to get used to. Four weeks in it is obvious it was the right decision as he is 'willing' to go to school every day and more relaxed at home and therefore not battering his younger brother quite as much as he did do at Junior School, He's like a different boy (at least where school is concerned!).

 

But what do you do when you're made redundant and the DLA money would have been more useful to keep a roof over his head? It would be catastrophic for my son if I were to pull him out now - I won't do it. I feel in fight mode - has anybody tried and succeeded, or tried and failed to get their LEA to acknowledge emotional needs at school? I personally can't see how they can be separated as one affects the other, but I'd be interested to hear of anyone elses experience.

[Tez]

Academically my son had no problems in school. However, he had numerous emotional problems due to the unsuitability of the environment and how they impacted on his anxieties, sensory integration problems and asd. It was a bit of a fight, but our LEA did assess his needs and based on the expert advice that he needed to be educated in the home our LEA finance and manage his home education. I'm sure the same could be obtained for an independent school provided that you could prove that it was the only way that his needs could be met. If an ordinary state school could meet his needs, even though it might not be the best school for him you'd be struggling.

 

I'm also not sure how you'd stand as he's no longer in an LEA school, not sure how the LEA stands regarding the assessment process. You could try giving IPSEA a ring and seeing what they advise.

[anewor]

Academically my son had no problems in school. However, he had numerous emotional problems due to the unsuitability of the environment and how they impacted on his anxieties, sensory integration problems and asd. It was a bit of a fight, but our LEA did assess his needs and based on the expert advice that he needed to be educated in the home our LEA finance and manage his home education. I'm sure the same could be obtained for an independent school provided that you could prove that it was the only way that his needs could be met. If an ordinary state school could meet his needs, even though it might not be the best school for him you'd be struggling.

 

I'm also not sure how you'd stand as he's no longer in an LEA school, not sure how the LEA stands regarding the assessment process. You could try giving IPSEA a ring and seeing what they advise.

 

Thanks for that Tez. I have never considered home schooling - the problems at school are all emotional and apart from struggling with writing and having to have things explained to him very clearly and concisely he is a model pupil at school. Well behaved, polite, immediately does as he is told, works hard to finish every task set, never argues or answers back to anyone. His problem is that he is like this because of his severe anxieties at school. He DAREN'T not finish his work in case he gets told off (he has never been told off since he started school!), DAREN'T argue or answer back (etc, etc - quite the opposite at home in some departments though!) He was in therapy for four years for "Severe Anxiety" before I pushed for, and immediately got, a diagnosis of Asperger's, and it was because of his anxieties that I made the decision to send him to an Independent School. Our local LEA school can offer a 'safe haven' for Alex during break times and lunch times but apart from this, they appear to be unable to do anything else to meet his emotional needs. As you say, I've left the LEA and therefore can't look to them for help - or can I? I'm definitely going to ring IPSEA for their advice. Thanks for responding.

[Tez]

A was a model pupil as well. He'd be awarded a prize every year for being the best pupil in the class based both on academic achievement and behaviour, he was never, ever in trouble, but as you so rightly say that doesn't mean that the child doesn't have problems. It took me many years to prove that, and a very nasty bullying incident before anyone would listen to me and even then, the only person who would listen was one particularly diligent and kind Deputy Head who made it his business to get to know A and observe him, much as an EP would, and who then supported and helped both me and A. Got to say my husband wants to nominate him for an award, but basically I think that you do need a champion within the education system to back your comments and support your case.

[anewor]

A was a model pupil as well. He'd be awarded a prize every year for being the best pupil in the class based both on academic achievement and behaviour, he was never, ever in trouble, but as you so rightly say that doesn't mean that the child doesn't have problems. It took me many years to prove that, and a very nasty bullying incident before anyone would listen to me and even then, the only person who would listen was one particularly diligent and kind Deputy Head who made it his business to get to know A and observe him, much as an EP would, and who then supported and helped both me and A. Got to say my husband wants to nominate him for an award, but basically I think that you do need a champion within the education system to back your comments and support your case.

Yes, I hear what you're saying. A's social worker is making enquiries with both Norsaca and PP to see if they can help, I am going to contact IPSEA and I've just sat back down at the computer after the school run to search out anything I can find on a discussion in government recently about education and ASD.

 

I forgot to mention that home schooling wouldn't, I don't think, be an option for me as I have to work being a single mum with a mortgage! But I would be sad if Alex wasn't at school - he seems to be enjoying this school - he is learning the rules and has established his own routine before and after school (apart from when it thundered today and he had to sit in the school library for the entire French lesson because it was a bit more 'sound proof' room and therefore he couldn't hear the thunder so loudly!). The school are obviously dealing with his worries as they arise in a caring way and I'm confident that mixing with other children is the right thing for him. Time will tell.

 

I thought "Snap" when you talked of the award. I often quote A's last Headteacher who said if there was an award going for the best behaved pupil, Alex would have won it hands down every year! But how sad, that his good behaviour is down to - to quote his year five teacher on his school report - "having to climb mountains each and every day"

 

Thanks for taking the time to reply - it's going to be hard, if not impossible, but at least I feel I'm doing something and I value your thoughts and experience.

[Jericho]

This doesn't deal with the real issue of the LEA meeting the needs of children as a whole but have you thought about an insurance policy? I think you can now get one that covers fees in case of redundancy, illness etc - similar to the ones for mortgage repayments.

 

Good luck with sorting out the LEA. <'>

[anewor]

This doesn't deal with the real issue of the LEA meeting the needs of children as a whole but have you thought about an insurance policy? I think you can now get one that covers fees in case of redundancy, illness etc - similar to the ones for mortgage repayments.

 

Good luck with sorting out the LEA. <'>

Thanks for that Jericho - I think it's a bit too late to set up an insurance policy now, but definitely a fantastic idea for the future - when I get through my immediate problems! As to sorting out the LEA - I'm not sure where to start yet but A's Social Worker has contacted Parent Partnership to seek their advice and knows of a Solicitor who specialises in Educational issues and I'm still trolling the internet to see what info I can find!

[Emum]

You've probably looked into this already but would the school give him a grant or bursary so he could stay until you were back on your feet? My kids are educated in the state system, but I had understood that private schools had to provide for a certain number of children in this way to maintain their charitable status. As I say I have no direct experience of this, but it might be worth just looking into.