Mainstream fits!!!! (sorry long post)

[Annea]

Hi everyone,

 

Last week my daughter went for a 3 day assessment at an independant Asperger school, when she came to the end she said to me... I never knew school could be like that mummy... I am never going back to my other school now! So basically she has realised that there are alternatives to the daily grind she has taken part in for the whole of her education and has decided she will not play the education game anymore!

 

Now I have the LEA aware of this and we are waiting to go to tribunal for appeal on section 2,3 4 of the statement.... But one thing came up in a conversation with the inclusion officer this morning....

 

She told me she feels that main stream is suitable for my daughter, and the reason for this is that children like her are being educated well as we speak, she mentioned children wth sensory problems coping well with the help of ear plugs and dark glasses. Using seperation into quiet areas and the such like!

 

I personally think this is a case of 'making' our children fit the system... the LEA's have no cheap practical alternative so they squeeze the round pegs into square holes.... I think this making our children fit is detrimental to the welfare of some of our children and I think that it contravenes some of the sections of the childrens act

 

Please understand I know some on here are happy with their childrens main stream education and are happy with measures in place.... it's just for my daughter this isn't working..... So please don't think I am trying to say main stream isn't ok for some children with the use of such aids.....

 

I am interested in those parent of children in secondary school. Whose children have sensory problems and who are made to fit in.....

How are your children catered for?

 

I read some info <posted by link here a while ago> about the childrens act..... states that children have a right to socialise and play...... My daughter is either subjected to an intolerable <for her> amount of sensory overload during the social hours of the school day or she is withdrawn from this aspect of her education and kept in a quiet room away from the crowds... because it is a mainstream system, there is no alternative!

 

She either suffers from sensory overload due to the bright lights or she gets teased relentlessly about her tinted glasses. Because within a school that has so many pupils it is impossible to stamp out the cruel comments ... short of excluding the majority.

 

She either suffers from sensory overload due to the excessive noise or she has to wear earplugs which also cause her sensory problem as as she can't cope with the pressure it causes in her ears.... But their is no alternative because in mainstream with so many pupils the noise just can't be reduced to acceptable <for her> limits.

 

One part of the childrens act says a child has the right to live without fear, but my daughter has to be educated by law, and everyday she goes to school she is frightened by the environment she is placed in. There is no alternative <as I see> within mainstream, because her fear is caused by the very scary place that is main stream school.

 

So how many of us parents feel the same way?.... the reason I am asking is that I am told that many children are perfectly happy in mainstream.... but what about those that aren't... why should our children be forced just to exist until they are no longer the problem of the LEA?

 

I would be interested in hearing from any of you by email.... <ashford1@btopenworld.com> about why your child doesn't fit into mainstream..... I of course am happy to share my thoughts with you in return if it will help your fight for a proper education for your child.... The reason I am asking is that so many of us are constantly told that we are the odd ones out, our children are the exception... I just think after reading in this forum everyday, that this isn't true!!!! So I would like to present some opinions from other mums and dads out there to tribunal to show why main stream is just so wrong for many of our kids and why we feel it is detrimental to there well being......

 

If anyone is happy to share with me.... please do email me ashford1@btopenworld.com ........ I am so fed up with being told that main stream fits all!

[Kathryn]

Hi Anne

 

I can see where you're coming from and I understand your frustration and why you want to do this but I would have reservations about presenting the views of other parents as part of your evidence to Tribunal.

 

The reason is that the tribunal looks at each child as an individual and will want to know the particular circumstances surrounding your daughter. They will have varying experience, but they will have an in depth knowledge of SEN and the issues that face children in mainstream school generally so you won't have to convince them of anything. They themselves will question the LEA reps closely about their knowledge of your daughter's needs and the suitability of the provision they are making and they will soon weed out any woolly generalisations about what all children with AS do, so don't worry.

 

Another factor - the limited amount of time you have to present your case. You can't afford to be sidetracked into a discussion which isn't directly relevant to the statement. It's bad enough when you have to haggle over parts 2 and 3 when what you really want to get on to is part 4, and you will want to avoid an adjournment if you can, because proceedings have dragged on too long.

 

Also consider the amount of evidence - panel members will read everything you and the LEA send in, but they are only human and the more evidence you give them to wade through, the greater the likelihood of something vital being missed. Talk loudly and strongly about your own child's difficulties, and her school experience so far: you are her best advocate, and it's your chance to have your personal say, in print, and then orally at the hearing. Concentrate strongly on proving why mainstream isn't suitable for your child, and why the independent school is.

 

Sorry to P on your bonfire - but I honestly don't think presenting other parents' views will help your case, and may even get in the way.

 

K x

[JsMum]

Hi we are in the same situation as you.

 

Appealing part 2,3,4 of the statement because J cant cope any longer in a mainstream setting, we have found a spesific school buts its residential, though I know it would provide him the best of care, and education, so we too are going to sendist.

 

J went on sick in June 2007 then after 2 months we tried to intregrate him back into school, the best was a full day but his behaviour on the evenings where so challenging and he only managed 15 sessions in the whole term of Oct- Dec 07 after christmas we went to part time school and after a bad morning he hasnt returned and now its home school only achieving 2 sessions in mainstream and J is coping much better at home though its exhausting because J needs constant attention and supervision so I do get tired, but not as much as when J was having challenging behaviour around school.

 

I wouldnt want this situation for ever, I really want a provision that caters for his needs, sadly there is no specialist provision in mainstream and the school I do want him to is the nearest to us but its still a distance.

 

If your daughter is happy with the spersific school that caters for her needs then I would let her go there.

 

Your welcome to PM since your going throw the same situation.

 

JsMum

[Annea]

Hi Kathryn thanks for the input, I don't think you are peeing on my fire I agree with you..... BUT before the tribunal we have the disagreement resoultion meeting.... the inc officer has sort of mentioend that whilst she still feels my daughter can be educated mainstream <like so many others>, then she will have to go to tribunal..... I think that deep down she knows that it won't work but because of her job and the money invo,ved she has to oppose me.....

 

I do think it would be beneficial.....

 

JSmum, I hope you get your issues sorted too..... We have a meeting with the EWO wedensday who is coming to discuss a way forward but the inc officer has tol dhe rthat my daughter shouldn't be dragged in screaming and kicking so not sure what will happen... I am really hoping this can be resolved without going to tribunal it's such a waste of money for all concerned....

 

My daughters placement will be residential too... well weekly boarding.... she got on so well there <even when she struggled> I suppose you just can't find a good substitute for teachers and staff who see these problems day in day out.

 

Anne x

[Kathryn]

No harm in talking about it at the mediation meeting - whether they listen or not is another matter.

 

If youy can get at least some of parts 2 and 3 sorted out before tribunal, that would also help.

 

 

K x

[Kazzen161]

I agree with Kathryn - stick to talking about your child.

 

If you know the mainstream schools the LEA are thinking of, do visit them, talk to the SENCOs, find out what they would do for YOUR child (I can't imagine sunglasses and ear plugs are going to help much with learning or socialisation!). If someone from X county says my child does not cope, then your county will just say "yes, but we do things differently/better".

 

Be specific about all the issues that she will not cope with at mainstream secondary (eg: disorganistaion, following a timetable, using a locker, etc, etc), and that will be better for her at the other school.

[Flora]

Annea

 

I agree with the others. This is about YOUR child, not children in general. During my Tribunal hearing the chair actually said to one of the LA witnesses to 'stop quoting from text books and talk about the child who this hearing is about'!!!

 

It's not an unusual, nor an insurmountable problem. As you may remember, right up until a week or so before the hearing my LA were adamant that Bill's needs could be met in mainstream. It's your job to gather the evidence to prove that this isn't the case. My take on it is that LA's SAY what they WANT to believe!!! BUT just because they SAY it doesn't make it true! If you've got evidence to prove that mainstream can't meet your dd's needs then it doesn't matter what they say. My LA's case was built on fresh air and lies and the truth will come out of you've done your homework.

 

Flora X

[Clare63]

Annea,

I totally understand your passion and frustration we are almostb in the exact same position with our son.

When I first read your thread I thought I know exactly where you are coming from and of course I could provide you with plently of evidence as to why my DS does not fit into mainstream, but putting this in perspective and totally agreeing with Flora, this is all about YOUR CHILD, all our children are different and the sonner these bodies realise that fact the better, I think its the fighting for the individual rights of our children will the statistics eventually turn to our favour.

I am still happy to share with you, but believe your focus should be on what your daughter needs rather than a comparison to others.

 

Good luck

 

Clare x x x x

[stressedmum]

Have a look at the five outcomes of the Every Child Matters green paper http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/aims/outcomes/

These should help when stating the case for your daughter, especially the "Enjoy and achieve" part. How can she possibly enjoy and achieve with the suggestions that your inclusion officer is making? GGRRRR!