MAKE SEN STATEMENT COMPULSORY AFTER DIAGNOSIS

[Flora]

You know what was meant by fine as you already have a statement for your child and I did not say that you managed to get your statemnet by luck but that the parents who have them are very lucky

 

I don't know what you mean by fine. I was just thinking the other day that even with a good statement and the right school, my son still has the same difficulties and he has one heck of a long way to go before he could be considered 'fine'

 

Anyone fighting the system has my utmost support and I wish you luck with your battles Mother Natasha; however the system is not going to change over night and it is better to be methodical. I can understand your anger and frustration but you're getting angry with the wrong people.

 

Flora

[Mother Natasha]

Of course I understand that your son still has his difficulties but i meant with him having his statement it is helping him a lot more why fight for a statement if it will not help at all which is why i thought the compulsory statement idea a good one as so many parents as ourselves suffer trying to get one and am very happy for you and your child that with your strength you have managed to achieve this for him. And you are right I am angry I am sick and tired and drained from these blanket policies and ridiculous laws which is why i think with everyone's imput I belive that we can modify them not over night of course but with my optimism I was hoping for next year. After all these years I am still optimistic and feel that now is the time to act on this and am finding more and more groups on this sort of thing and families who have suffered the same as we. Everyone is fed up with it all. I feel this petition can really change things alongside the petition for more training resources and sen schools I saw are also up on the Prime MInister's website. So many people have been failed by the inclusion law and I believe that with this new implemented law it would prevent bullying or continuous bulling and help in the development of the child with less agravation and no more fighting for a statement as it would be there when we need it. All SEN children would have the help they need with this law and no child would have less help than what they had already if they had any but more if need be. We will force the government this way to provide more funding and the simple manoever of compulsory statemneting will change a lot of things alone. I think this is a possitive way forward and feel the way a lot of people are feeling right now we would not allow any inteference such as blanket policies to occur and feel with this new law it would be difficult for them to occur. A man in the paper died, a father of an sen child fighting for a statement for i think it was 14 years , he committed suicide because he could not cope. I do not wan't to see that happen to anyone else. Think possitive i think I really hope you can consider signing the petition xox

 

I don't know what you mean by fine. I was just thinking the other day that even with a good statement and the right school, my son still has the same difficulties and he has one heck of a long way to go before he could be considered 'fine'

 

Anyone fighting the system has my utmost support and I wish you luck with your battles Mother Natasha; however the system is not going to change over night and it is better to be methodical. I can understand your anger and frustration but you're getting angry with the wrong people.

 

Flora

[sueeltringham]

OK, I'm going to really upset the apple cart: Statements are very, very expensive for an LEA to produce. I would far rather money be spent on children with SEN getting help in school. Perhaps those children that need help should be identified more thoroughly and consistently in all schools and at an earlier age. I can think of many children that I've taught with an ASD, who've not been statemented and have not needed a statement. I would hate to think that money would have been wasted in these cases. Statements should be written for children that have the need, and the diagnosis is actually irrelevant.

 

Now, I'm going to take my teachers hat off. I'm also a parent of a child with an ASD. We fought really hard to get him diagnosed. It took 2 years (which I gather is actually quite quick). However, in those 2 years in preschool and reception class, he still had his SEN/difficulties. Did he get any help? NO! No-one would listen until we got the diagnosis. We then had to fight to get a statement. I'm worried that in some authorities the system suggested already exists! Sorry, I can see where you're coming from and I really sympathise, but I cannot agree.

 

Sue

[bid]

Thankyou do you then agree that statemnets should be compulsory as we all fight so hard for them xx

 

No, I've already said I don't agree with compulsory Statements, for all the reasons already explained.

 

Bid

[Kathryn]

So many people have been failed by the inclusion law and I believe that with this new implemented law it would prevent bullying or continuous bulling and help in the development of the child with less agravation and no more fighting for a statement as it would be there when we need it. All SEN children would have the help they need with this law and no child would have less help than what they had already if they had any but more if need be.

 

Mother Natasha,

 

I really feel, and share your anger and frustration, and four years ago I would have cut off my arm to get a statement for my child as it would have helped her get the specialist provision she needed. So I'll continue to fight for parents whose children need them, as long as the system exists. I do feel though that you haven't taken on board what people are saying about statements. They do not in themselves make the world better for children with SEN, especially if they aren't backed up by the necessary expertise and resources. The pot of money will only stretch so far.

 

K x

[bid]

I do not understand what you are saying so you'd get extra help for your child and want him to get better at an older age when it is more difficult and most of the damage is done??? and rather he continued to struggle rather than the best option which is to try and make him get better at a younger age so that he would not continue to struggle or struggle as much. It does not make any sense. If one can nip a difficulty in the budd thats best for the child. If the child's disorder cannot be nipped in the bud I am not saying that there is anything wrong with that or the child and like you said a child's past molds its future so if you want your child to get better sooner than later you attack the problem sooner then later if you can . The child's make up would not be nipped in the budd but his difficulties such as learning difficulties which is what every parent strives for by putting his/her child in a specialist school for example and getting a statement so that mainstream schools deliver the extra help the child needs. How can you deny the help a child needs from an early age if it is within your means and due to the law which will hopefully be implemented:Compulsory Statementing after diagnosis.

 

Mother Natasha, I don't want to upset you, but autism can't be 'nipped in the bud' and our children won't 'get better'.

 

Educationally our children need the appropriate provision in the right environment in order to fulfil all their potential, but they will always be autistic.

 

I have a dx of AS myself, and I don't want to 'get better', I am who I am!

 

Bid

[Sallya]

Perhaps there should be a requirement to assess needs following a diagnosis?

 

 

That's what I think too Puffin.

[bid]

I think that may well be the way to go, too, Puffin.

 

Bid

[LIA]

<'> Hello everyone

 

I was observing the discussion of my topic about the petition "MAKE SEN STATEMENT COMPULSORY AFTER DIAGNOSIS" and I feel everbody has to agree that the problem is the Education System needs to change !

 

In my opinion we don't need to get angry with other's points of views, as everybody in here (I think) knows that the main point is that the system is falling our children, and often Inclusion is not working for the majority.

 

The petition say:

 

"After a child has been identified with learning disabilities, autism, ADHD or other problems that will make difficulty for them to learn, they should have a COMPULSORY STATEMENT Plan written straigh away. The STATEMENT PLAN first should provide the choices make by parents how they want their child be educate, training for parents, and therapy for children without delay. COMPULSORY STATEMENT after diagnosis could improve meet the children needs with less burden"

 

So, we are not talking just about "money" we are talking about "rights". What we want is that at the time the child has been recognised as having any kind of difficulties which will make hard for them to learn they should have their "rights" recognised straight away, and that the parents don't need to fight for it. The propose is not do pressure wrong diagnoses or given money to school when it is not apply. The propose is to RECOGNISE the children "rights" in receiving the support they need.

 

If the Statement process needs to change, ok. Maybe is the "Word" that for you all means that the LEA need to give more money to schools. Therefore what we want with the petition is raisen that parents don't need to fight, get depressed, die for get what their child need. It should be given automatically.

 

I hope it make clear what we are proposing, and also I think we need to DO something TOGETHER. On 27 of August will be Gordon Brown aniversary, so there will be a march with lots of people in PEACE, we could go TOGETHER and show our disapointment with the SYSTEM and ask for changes NOW ! We cannot wait "10 years plans! our children will be adults there and it will won't work for us. We need special school, we need training for teachers and headteachers, we need people understanble and willing to undestand. We need laws to make the provision compulsory and accountable for schools and LEAS.

 

Let's DO something TOGETHER!!

 

Lia

[Mother Natasha]

I have ADD myself diagnosed later on in life and I could have done with extra understanding from schools and help to understand what I have and deal with it better otherwise you are sometimes left wondering why do I act in a certain way which many do not or i wish i could stop and focus in my case on something the way i would like to....nipping in the bud is a saying meaning early intervention with early intervention children with autism can have extra help to learn the way they are able to understand and learn things from an earlier age so they are able to understand what children learn at that age but in a way they can understand withoutthis they would not be able to learn many things and sometimes say in the case of my child she waves her arms when she gets excited which is what I am working with her to learn not to do and it is working , children learn things quicker when younger and more easily so if people want to stay the way they are or for their kids to why do they get extra help for the child that does not make sense of course I am happy with who I am but knowing how to deal with what I have has changed the way I am as in the way I deal with things, I am more able to focus on things for longer now as my problem is concentrating. Since I have been diagnosed it has been helpful for me with work and anything I want to do, I have learnt to stick to things I wish to stick at a bit more early intervention would have helped me through life i am sure but have had a happy life nonetheless filled with ups and downs of course but I appreciate who I am but am happy that I can now do things I could not do before. I still have concentration problems but this has helped me and nipping my add at an earlier age would have made it easier for me to sit still and focus more and learn more at school with an assistant specialised in add..... I am not saying they will stop being autistic in itself but children can stop having difficulties altogether in some cases or some difficulties remain by early intervention. xxx

Mother Natasha, I don't want to upset you, but autism can't be 'nipped in the bud' and our children won't 'get better'.

 

Educationally our children need the appropriate provision in the right environment in order to fulfil all their potential, but they will always be autistic.

 

I have a dx of AS myself, and I don't want to 'get better', I am who I am!

 

Bid

[Mumble]

in the case of my child she waves her arms when she gets excited which is what I am working with her to learn not to do

Would that not be considered normalisation for the sake of maintaining NT's comfort zones? I just wonder if we are better off helping others to understand behaviours that are not detrimental to the person or others (and may actually be beneficial) rather than expending energy on making the child fit some pre-designed mold of how they should behave?

[Mother Natasha]

taht depends on the school though does'nt it our school does not do anything fro my daughter unless she has a statement , compulsory statements are there to prevent us having to fight so hard for it u see, i have never heard of the suggested idea existing in other authorities but it still has not been made a law+sattements do not have to be as expensive as they are and medics could hand them out instead which would make more sense i feel x

OK, I'm going to really upset the apple cart: Statements are very, very expensive for an LEA to produce. I would far rather money be spent on children with SEN getting help in school. Perhaps those children that need help should be identified more thoroughly and consistently in all schools and at an earlier age. I can think of many children that I've taught with an ASD, who've not been statemented and have not needed a statement. I would hate to think that money would have been wasted in these cases. Statements should be written for children that have the need, and the diagnosis is actually irrelevant.

 

Now, I'm going to take my teachers hat off. I'm also a parent of a child with an ASD. We fought really hard to get him diagnosed. It took 2 years (which I gather is actually quite quick). However, in those 2 years in preschool and reception class, he still had his SEN/difficulties. Did he get any help? NO! No-one would listen until we got the diagnosis. We then had to fight to get a statement. I'm worried that in some authorities the system suggested already exists! Sorry, I can see where you're coming from and I really sympathise, but I cannot agree.

 

Sue

[Mother Natasha]

I thought about that myself but I am worried that when she is older she will carry on doing it which would make maintaining a relationship difficult possibly and agree that more has to be done for children and individuals themselves to know about things like this to prevent bullying e.t.c... how can the government make an inclusion law without any child or young adult being taught about these things.....But in order for my child to stop waving her arms when on entering adulthood...I am thinking it is better for her to do so now??

 

Would that not be considered normalisation for the sake of maintaining NT's comfort zones? I just wonder if we are better off helping others to understand behaviours that are not detrimental to the person or others (and may actually be beneficial) rather than expending energy on making the child fit some pre-designed mold of how they should behave?

[Mother Natasha]

I completely agree and I will be attending the march, thankyou for letting us know about it and I wish you the best of luck with what you are doing and I am here to help!!!! Best wishes xx

<'> Hello everyone

 

I was observing the discussion of my topic about the petition "MAKE SEN STATEMENT COMPULSORY AFTER DIAGNOSIS" and I feel everbody has to agree that the problem is the Education System needs to change !

 

In my opinion we don't need to get angry with other's points of views, as everybody in here (I think) knows that the main point is that the system is falling our children, and often Inclusion is not working for the majority.

 

The petition say:

 

"After a child has been identified with learning disabilities, autism, ADHD or other problems that will make difficulty for them to learn, they should have a COMPULSORY STATEMENT Plan written straigh away. The STATEMENT PLAN first should provide the choices make by parents how they want their child be educate, training for parents, and therapy for children without delay. COMPULSORY STATEMENT after diagnosis could improve meet the children needs with less burden"

 

So, we are not talking just about "money" we are talking about "rights". What we want is that at the time the child has been recognised as having any kind of difficulties which will make hard for them to learn they should have their "rights" recognised straight away, and that the parents don't need to fight for it. The propose is not do pressure wrong diagnoses or given money to school when it is not apply. The propose is to RECOGNISE the children "rights" in receiving the support they need.

 

If the Statement process needs to change, ok. Maybe is the "Word" that for you all means that the LEA need to give more money to schools. Therefore what we want with the petition is raisen that parents don't need to fight, get depressed, die for get what their child need. It should be given automatically.

 

I hope it make clear what we are proposing, and also I think we need to DO something TOGETHER. On 27 of August will be Gordon Brown aniversary, so there will be a march with lots of people in PEACE, we could go TOGETHER and show our disapointment with the SYSTEM and ask for changes NOW ! We cannot wait "10 years plans! our children will be adults there and it will won't work for us. We need special school, we need training for teachers and headteachers, we need people understanble and willing to undestand. We need laws to make the provision compulsory and accountable for schools and LEAS.

 

Let's DO something TOGETHER!!

 

Lia

Edited July 5, 2008 by Mother Natasha

[Mumble]

I am worried that when she is older she will carry on doing it which would make maintaining a relationship difficult

I personally wouldn't want a relationship with anyone who thought it OK to have a problem with a fundamental aspect of who I am. Isn't the saying "warts and all"? (I don't have warts, despite being a lil' witch (apparently ) but you know what I mean).

[Mother Natasha]

That is true but what if my daughter would have wished for me to do this for her herself later on ??

I personally wouldn't want a relationship with anyone who thought it OK to have a problem with a fundamental aspect of who I am. Isn't the saying "warts and all"? (I don't have warts, despite being a lil' witch (apparently ) but you know what I mean).

[Mumble]

That is true but what if my daughter would have wished for me to do this for her herself later on ??

And what if she didn't? I don't know you or your daughter so can't comment; I just know how I feel if I'm asked to suppress a natural part of me.

[Mother Natasha]

so what would your suggestion be in clearing the whole matter up???? If teacher and heateachers... have punishment i.e they get the boot if they not comply I think that is a very good idea x

Natasha, I appreciate that a statement would make all the difference to your child and enable her to move to another school and make a new start. I understand where you're coming from. I also fought long and hard for my child to get a statement for the same reason - we failed and I wish you greater success in your battle. But making statements compulsory would have no beneficial effect as far as I can see and may even be detrimental to those who really need them. The effect, I think, would be a devaluing of statements (because half the school population would have them and therefore teachers would pay no heed to them), and fewer resources available for the larger number of children who would suddenly become entitled to them.

 

I fight for the rights of children to have statements if they need them, whilst also campaigning for greater awareness and better resourced schools so that fewer statements will be needed. The two are not incompatible, in my opinion.

 

K x

[Mother Natasha]

hhhm yes that is the problem as parents it iis difficult to sometimes decide what is best i think if it were myself i would have wished my mother to do so but that is the problem she is not be though a part of me and continual suppression might make the child so sick of being suppressed that it would be counter productive and she would rebel more which is what am worried about as now we are dealing with something different and not how she learns but how she reacts with her emotions..and social aspects

And what if she didn't? I don't know you or your daughter so can't comment; I just know how I feel if I'm asked to suppress a natural part of me.

[Kazzen161]

>>thus I cannot move her from the school she is being bullied at becuas eshe does not have a statement>>

 

You *can* move schools - from one mainstream to another, as anyone can do (providing there is a space). If you do your research, you may find a school that is more understanding of AS.

 

I cannot sign your petition, as I do not agree with it. There are many flaws in your proposals, Mother N - one being, that not all children with a diagnosis need a Statement.

 

There is no way on earth that the Government will agree to automatic Statementing on diagnosis anyway, so it is a waste of time. There are other petitions going on too - if even we cannot agree on how best to educate our children, how can we expect the Government to decide what is best?

 

Why do you believe that the NAS are funded by the LEA?

[Mumble]

Why do you believe that the NAS are funded by the LEA?

Are they? I thought they were a charity? I feel really swizzled now having sweated buckets to raise money for them - I know it wasn't a lot, but I (naively) thought it could help

[pearl]

Worry not Mumbles, they aren't.

[Mumble]

Worry not Mumbles, they aren't.

OK, so why did someone say they were? I think I'm going to leave this thread alone, because I'm just confused (oi you at the back, I did hear that )

[Bard]

Of course you can move a child from one school to another without a statement, that's what parental choice is, and it happens all the time in my area.

 

The NAS is an independent charity.

 

And why did someone say they were? Probably because they are posting with passion, speaking from the heart.

Rather than accurately.

Edited July 5, 2008 by Bard

[pearl]

Apparently someone stated that they were. I just read Kazzens post querying this. They arent.

[Bard]

And the Autistic society were no help as they want to keep the LEA sweet and parents who are lucky enough to have what they need i.e statements sweet also. If we can get the society to back us we could really change things as they are already well known it would be a big thing for the LEA to turn their back's on the society and something unlikely thus why would the society not help??? If the LEA did not fund the society anymore which I am sure would not happen but persay if it did we would have parents... to help with funding and other means.

 

I think this is the misconception that was being discussed.

[mossgrove]

Mother Natasha

 

A common misunderstanduing about Autism is that there is a 'normal' person in there who can be liberated from Autism by appropriate interventions. Inside every Autistic person is an Autistic Person.

 

Another common misunderstanding about Autism is that Autism is an entirely negative thing. There are people reading and participating in this thread who are autistic themselves and the are somewhat preturbed by your remarks and the idea that something that is a fundamental part of who they are needs to be 'nipped in the bud'.

 

I am getting very frustrated with the suggestion that we must sign the petition as 'something needs to be done' , and the implication that if we don't sign it we are not as committed as you are to the idea of children getting the help they need. We simply do not agree with what you are suggesting.

 

I also have to say that I don't think you have fully taken on board the fact that Autism is a life-long condition, and it is simply not true that a childs (and subsequently adults) difficulties can go away entrirely.

 

Please be prepared to accept the fact that people who are Autistic, parents of children with Autism, and people with experience of the system have all taken the time and trouble to explain why they do not think you are right. Maybe it is time to agree to disagree about this ?

 

 

Simon

Edited July 5, 2008 by mossgrove

[pearl]

I think this is the misconception that was being discussed.

 

Why would a national charity be funded by LEA's? Makes no sense.

[Bard]

Why would a national charity be funded by LEA's? Makes no sense.

 

I think that Mother Natasha may not have English as her first language, so perhaps she is unfamiliar with this country's systems.

[Karen A]

OK, so why did someone say they were? I think I'm going to leave this thread alone, because I'm just confused (oi you at the back, I did hear that )

 

Mumble please do not worry.People on the Forum are able to express strong personal views on things however they are personal opinions.

If you read through the thread you will see that a lot of regular Forum members who are very well informed do not necessarily agree with some of the views expressed.<'> <'> Karen.

Edited July 5, 2008 by Karen A

[LIA]

Hello Lia

 

Welcome to the forum - another member of the exclusive Note in Lieu club, I see!

 

K x

 

When I joined this group I was thinking that the aim of this group was helping each other on dealing with Autism, but know I think I am in the wrong group, as many other member whose also already notice by themselves...

 

English is not my first language, I don't know about Mother Natasha, but this such comment is very discriminating.

 

So, if you do not agree with my petition, ok. I respect your opinion.

 

I wish good luck for you all, as I am out of this group, maybe I need to open a group called "Note in Lieu".... or "Legal imigrants with autistic child in UK".

 

by

Lia

[bid]

I'm sorry you feel like this Lia.

 

Personally I don't think you have given this forum any kind of chance...have you looked at anything in the Education section for example?

 

I am autistic, and this forum is the most supportive place I've found on the internet. I have found advice, support, friendship and acceptance here.

 

As for Bard making a discriminatory comment! Well, I have met Bard and I can tell you that she is the least discriminatory person you could hope to meet.

 

I wish you well with your petition, as has everyone here if you look back at their posts.

 

Bid

[Flora]

This forum has a wealth of information, advice and shared experience if you take the time to read through some of the other sections, particularly Education.

 

There was no discrimination, there was an observation/suggestion made as to where the misunderstanding was coming from.

 

It would be great if you decide to stick around and do some reading for a start, but if you don't want to then it's your loss.

 

Flora

[Bard]

When I joined this group I was thinking that the aim of this group was helping each other on dealing with Autism, but know I think I am in the wrong group, as many other member whose also already notice by themselves...

 

English is not my first language, I don't know about Mother Natasha, but this such comment is very discriminating.

 

So, if you do not agree with my petition, ok. I respect your opinion.

 

I wish good luck for you all, as I am out of this group, maybe I need to open a group called "Note in Lieu".... or "Legal imigrants with autistic child in UK".

 

by

Lia

 

I'm sorry that you felt my comment was discriminatory, but having worked in a first generation immigrant community for over eight years, I often found that some misconceptions stemmed from the speakers experiences in another system in a different country.

I fail to understand how offering that as a possible explanation was inappropriate.

Why did Mother Natasha think that the NAS was funded by the state?

[bid]

English is not my first language, I don't know about Mother Natasha, but this such comment is very discriminating.

 

Actually, I've been thinking about this comment and now I feel quite cross!

 

Why on earth is it discriminatory to wonder if someone doesn't have English as a first language?

 

Bid

[Bard]

Actually, I've been thinking about this comment and now I feel quite cross!

 

Why on earth is it discriminatory to wonder if someone doesn't have English as a first language?

 

Bid

 

It isn't, but it's also a matter of perception.

It depends what daily experiences LIA and Mother Natasha have had that makes them defensive and irrational, as per the comment:

" Legal immigrants with autistic child in UK"

 

I wonder how many times they've had to cope with rejection and hostility because of who they are, and that it may have built into the need to make your case whatever others may have to say about it. It's not a basis for dialogue, nor is it worth getting cross about.

[Mother Natasha]

why are people continuously twisitng what I am saying and stressing on the nipping in the budd(early intervetion) saying when I have explained a million times that it is nipping difficulties not a part of themselves thats what most parents want for there child early intervention thats why we work and fight to get our kids the extra help they need and it makes children learn easier by tackling their difficulties early on hence nipping their difficulties as in making it easier for them to learn from an early age

Mother Natasha

 

A common misunderstanduing about Autism is that there is a 'normal' person in there who can be liberated from Autism by appropriate interventions. Inside every Autistic person is an Autistic Person.

 

Another common misunderstanding about Autism is that Autism is an entirely negative thing. There are people reading and participating in this thread who are autistic themselves and the are somewhat preturbed by your remarks and the idea that something that is a fundamental part of who they are needs to be 'nipped in the bud'.

 

I am getting very frustrated with the suggestion that we must sign the petition as 'something needs to be done' , and the implication that if we don't sign it we are not as committed as you are to the idea of children getting the help they need. We simply do not agree with what you are suggesting.

 

I also have to say that I don't think you have fully taken on board the fact that Autism is a life-long condition, and it is simply not true that a childs (and subsequently adults) difficulties can go away entrirely.

 

Please be prepared to accept the fact that people who are Autistic, parents of children with Autism, and people with experience of the system have all taken the time and trouble to explain why they do not think you are right. Maybe it is time to agree to disagree about this ?

 

 

Simon

[Mother Natasha]

Tell us then how would you solve this problem we have all had then fighting for statements........??? How is there anything wrong with more teacher training and teaching others of autism e.t.c, making statements arrive faster.....I am not saying as I have said plenty of times that statements alone will solve the entire problem though it can for people such as myself but it is a step to getting there with teacher training and punishment for not complying with the rules, funding directed more at serious problems as this and not prisoners, war e.t.c and other things

Mother Natasha

 

A common misunderstanduing about Autism is that there is a 'normal' person in there who can be liberated from Autism by appropriate interventions. Inside every Autistic person is an Autistic Person.

 

Another common misunderstanding about Autism is that Autism is an entirely negative thing. There are people reading and participating in this thread who are autistic themselves and the are somewhat preturbed by your remarks and the idea that something that is a fundamental part of who they are needs to be 'nipped in the bud'.

 

I am getting very frustrated with the suggestion that we must sign the petition as 'something needs to be done' , and the implication that if we don't sign it we are not as committed as you are to the idea of children getting the help they need. We simply do not agree with what you are suggesting.

 

I also have to say that I don't think you have fully taken on board the fact that Autism is a life-long condition, and it is simply not true that a childs (and subsequently adults) difficulties can go away entrirely.

 

Please be prepared to accept the fact that people who are Autistic, parents of children with Autism, and people with experience of the system have all taken the time and trouble to explain why they do not think you are right. Maybe it is time to agree to disagree about this ?

 

 

Simon

[Mother Natasha]

No you cannot if there is an awful headmistress standing in the way with the council and Lea and school governors on her side going against pyscologists and medical advice unfortunately this is not the case in our area and when they place an assistant with my child when they have a person check up on the school when usually my child is at the back of the classroom on her own..,..The LEA sie with her as they want more money and she does not wish to have to spend any fnds from her SEN budget on SEN cases. I have experienced this so you cannot say it cannot happen, headteachers have too much authority for some reason in this country which is why there should be a ppunishment for them if they do not follow rules and regulations which will make them have to comply with giving our children the extra help they need.

 

Of course you can move a child from one school to another without a statement, that's what parental choice is, and it happens all the time in my area.

 

The NAS is an independent charity.

 

And why did someone say they were? Probably because they are posting with passion, speaking from the heart.

Rather than accurately.

[Flora]

Tell us then how would you solve this problem we have all had then fighting for statements........??? How is there anything wrong with more teacher training and teaching others of autism e.t.c, making statements arrive faster.....I am not saying as I have said plenty of times that statements alone will solve the entire problem though it can for people such as myself but it is a step to getting there with teacher training and punishment for not complying with the rules, funding directed more at serious problems as this and not prisoners, war e.t.c and other things

 

Mother Natasha

 

Honestly, you seem to be under the misconception that we are all against a better system. Many people here (and definately those who have contributed to this thread) have been working tirelesly through the flawed SEN system for many years; and I know many of the members have been, and continue to be, active in helping others and trying to push for change.

 

This whole thread and debate is over one little petition! One petition isn't going to change the sytem, even if every single member of this forum were to sign it, and even if every single parent of a child with SEN were to sign it. There have been loads of petitions, some of which I've chose to sign, some of which not, but not a single one of them has had any influence over the SEN system as far as I'm aware (I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong).

 

It is up to each individual what petitions, if any, they sign. Your hectoring will not make any difference to that.

 

The fact that you have disregarded the many considerate and helpful replies to your posts is not going to change anything other than to upset yourself and irritate others.

 

I can only speak for myself, but I can't be bothered to offer considered replies any more to a debate which is quite pointless. It's far better to direct your energy into something that might actually achieve something.

 

Flora