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Autism outreach - interesting observations

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An ASD expert from autism outreach was in Ms class on Monday. He is a specialist in ASD/AS and observed the whole day. The LEA had sent him in as a result of out complaint - seems like this has caused a little action from the LEAs side. We had a meeting with him after school and he had some pretty intersting observations.

 

- M had worked really well in class except the staff did not seem to notice when she got stuck.

( a difference from the "M doesn't do anything" that we get to hear.)

 

- M needs more differentiation in certain subjects and needs to get some specific teaching. In the subjects where she is ahead of the class she is often left to "self study" on her own while the rest of the class are taught a different subject.

(quite a tall order concentrationwise for an AS/ADHD child)

 

- Ms behaviour was fine however some of the boys in the class seem to have behaviour issues and the boys in the class generally get more attention.

(we have had the impression that Ms behaviour is considered more problematic because she is a girl)

 

- The staff seem to be very focussed on the negative aspects of Ms behaviour.

 

- He had talked to the staff about the rather frequent use of restraint on M for refusing to go out at break - he had found that the "going out rule" was not being interpreted and implemented in the same way by all the class staff - different things were allowed/not allowed by different staff members. The SENCO insisted that M had access to a safe haven at break - but staff were not always allowing this.

(very mixed messages)

 

- the reward system in the IEP had been discontinued during the year - noone really knew why.

 

Therefore he will be back to recommend some new strategies and also to implement social skills training.

 

 

So hopefully this is a positive step and will result in some real changes.

 

 

Although I'm still not sure that we can trust the head. I get the impression that she is not happy with the turn that events are taking and that she might not be able to ship M off to the PRU. I think that the head is a control freak. She was due to have a meeting directly after us. We were finishing up 2 minutes over time when she barged into the room to say our time was up !!!

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I think you have the Head from Hell and she aint happy about being caught out. The ASD guy sounds really good, can you contact him if you have problems? Is it possible to get input from him on your childs statement, it does sound as if he wont let the school get away with it and your child needs his help?

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Yep I have both contact telephone and e-mail for him.

 

What I really liked it that he is going down the specification route - that everything should be specified - especially the classroom rules and how the staff will react for breaking them.

 

Head from Hell is still trying to sabotage this so I am still very wary. Last week our younger child brought home a letter saying that Ms teacher was going to be *her* teacher next year. This is despite us being assured 6 days prior to this that M was going to have the same teacher next year as this teacher was the one who was going to be (and is being) trained by autism outreach!

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Ooh Puffin, cultivate this guy, he sounds an absolute gem. See what a different perspective you have been given simply through him observing & using his expertise.

 

Sounds like he is on yours & M's side & is fighting your corner - make the most of him.

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It sounds like a really positive visit, puffin. The school won't be able to ignore what he is saying, he has witnessed it for himself and, presumably, has put his findings in writing so the school won't be able to deny it or pretend that it is all in your mind. With him to back you up, it sounds like things will, hopefully, start to improve. :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

Good luck with it. >:D<<'>

 

~ Mel ~

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An ASD expert from autism outreach was in Ms class on Monday. He is a specialist in ASD/AS and observed the whole day. The LEA had sent him in as a result of out complaint - seems like this has caused a little action from the LEAs side. We had a meeting with him after school and he had some pretty intersting observations.

 

- M had worked really well in class except the staff did not seem to notice when she got stuck.

( a difference from the "M doesn't do anything" that we get to hear.)

 

- M needs more differentiation in certain subjects and needs to get some specific teaching. In the subjects where she is ahead of the class she is often left to "self study" on her own while the rest of the class are taught a different subject.

(quite a tall order concentrationwise for an AS/ADHD child)

 

- Ms behaviour was fine however some of the boys in the class seem to have behaviour issues and the boys in the class generally get more attention.

(we have had the impression that Ms behaviour is considered more problematic because she is a girl)

 

- The staff seem to be very focussed on the negative aspects of Ms behaviour.

 

- He had talked to the staff about the rather frequent use of restraint on M for refusing to go out at break - he had found that the "going out rule" was not being interpreted and implemented in the same way by all the class staff - different things were allowed/not allowed by different staff members. The SENCO insisted that M had access to a safe haven at break - but staff were not always allowing this.

(very mixed messages)

 

- the reward system in the IEP had been discontinued during the year - noone really knew why.

Hi Puffin how did you get this guy to go into school what department did you have to contact to arrange this visit and does your daughter have a diagnosis?

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The guy sounds fantastic and hopefully now the school will have to follow all of his advice and recommendations, it's a great feeling isn't it when you have someone on your side who has ypour child's interest at heart.

 

My son was meant to off started a school 4 weeks ago, has only gone once and refused to go back (he is a school refuser) and all the things I have said to school he needs they have told me they wont do as they don't feel he needs them, well guess what autism out-reach worker is going in 8th June and she has lots of ideas of what he needs, school needs to be motivating and fun, plus social stories, plus time-tables, home school communicaion book.........oh dear I think they are not going to like her going in very much :whistle:

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Therefore he will be back to recommend some new strategies and also to implement social skills training.

 

 

Who for? Your child or the school staff LOL!

 

Sounds to me like its the staff that need the training more!

 

Sarah

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puffin the man from outreach sounds fantastic :notworthy:

 

looks like youve got someone fighting Ms corner against the head from hell :thumbs:

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I suspect the Head/teachers/etc are being difficult because it's finally dawning on them that they have to do their jobs properly!! Quite right too! :thumbs::notworthy:

 

I looooooove Autism Outreach Workers :devil::ph34r::devil::ph34r:

 

:thumbs:

Edited by smiley

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We have a fab autism outreach team here too.

 

The trouble is, they have no authority over schools and are only there to advise, can't force their recommendations to be implemented. Consquently schools can do what they flippin' well like, which includes ignoring the outreach team.

 

Ho hum

 

Karen

x

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I think we are lucky at the moment that the autism outreach guy seems pretty clued up and also our long letter of complaint seems to have created a bit of a stir at the LEA who are wanting some answers on what has been going on. I think that without the LEA's involvement the head from hell would be doing nothing - our big hope at the moment is that she will be forced to implement this stuff because the LEA are taking an interest.

 

I'm not entirely sure what the autism outreach guy's programme is going to be get but I know that part of his remit is to look into staff training and competence. I'm hoping to get a copy of the autism outreach report but if I don't hear anything by next week I will chase it up.

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I looooooove Autism Outreach Workers :devil::ph34r::devil::ph34r:

ive never heard of them before this thread?do you get referred to them?

Edited by hev

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I suspect the Head/teachers/etc are being difficult because it's finally dawning on them that they have to do their jobs properly!! Quite right too! :thumbs::notworthy:

...

 

Yeah, they seem to get nervous! :D

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