wasuup Report post Posted December 1, 2009 30th April. LEA have until the 22nd January 2009 to respond. I am supposed to be meeting the Head of SEN on the 19th January when he reckons the ASD specialist teacher will have done her report by. This teacher went into school on Friday, my son had to fill in speech bubbles on what he thought people were saying and that seems to be pretty much all they have assessed-so far. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sally44 Report post Posted December 1, 2009 Can you remind me what you are going to tribunal for? I've had a quick look through your posts, and it seems that you have a number of children, who may all be somewhere on the spectrum?? Bearing that in mind, it sounds like you have alot on at the moment. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wasuup Report post Posted December 1, 2009 (edited) Can you remind me what you are going to tribunal for? I've had a quick look through your posts, and it seems that you have a number of children, who may all be somewhere on the spectrum?? Bearing that in mind, it sounds like you have alot on at the moment. Hi Sally This is for my 5 year old boy-diagnosed with dyspraxia and also asd traits still undergoing assessment. I have 4 children one daughter 10, 3 sons aged 9, 5 and 3. Daughter has a diagnosis so far of Selective Mutism and anxiety, son aged 9 dyspraxia, son aged 5 dyspraxia, possible adhd and asd traits so far, 3 year old well we are just going to see what school make of him! Edited December 1, 2009 by wasuup Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sally44 Report post Posted December 2, 2009 So you've got your hands full then!!! I know of another mother through our support group who has 4 children with ASD, ADHD, Dyspraxia, SPLD running through all of them. It has taken her a long time. But she has worked through the Statementing process with each child and finally managed to get the first two into appropriate schools. One is an independent SPLD school that will take high functioning AS children. The other is mainstream with extra resources for children with ASD. She has two more children to follow, one daughter who is around 10, and a son who is around 3+. I know that I feel totally overwhelmed sometimes just trying to sort out the Statement and provision for one of my children. So I can't imagine what it would be like going through that process for more than one child at a time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wasuup Report post Posted December 2, 2009 So you've got your hands full then!!! I know of another mother through our support group who has 4 children with ASD, ADHD, Dyspraxia, SPLD running through all of them. It has taken her a long time. But she has worked through the Statementing process with each child and finally managed to get the first two into appropriate schools. One is an independent SPLD school that will take high functioning AS children. The other is mainstream with extra resources for children with ASD. She has two more children to follow, one daughter who is around 10, and a son who is around 3+. I know that I feel totally overwhelmed sometimes just trying to sort out the Statement and provision for one of my children. So I can't imagine what it would be like going through that process for more than one child at a time. Yes it is overwhelming. I have learnt to be organised with the paperwork and to try to switch off from it when I can and make sure I look after myself too. Doesn't always work theres good days and bad days but I don't have a choice whos going to fight for them if I don't. <'> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sally44 Report post Posted December 2, 2009 Exactly. That's why I told you about the other mother I know. She has had times when one of her son's in particular was on the point of being taken into care because of behavioural issues that were down to being very intelligent, but unable to perform academically due to SPLD. The change I have seen in him (and therefore his mother and other family members) since he moved school has been incredible. So it is possible to make positive improvements. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wasuup Report post Posted December 16, 2009 (edited) Hmmm LEA have insigated a disagreement resolution meeting. The date they have to reply t0 SEND is 22nd Jan the date they want to meet with me is 20th Jan. CAMHS are going to start their full assessments in January anyway and I was going to ask for an extention on the tribunal date April 2010 until I get those reports through. I was thinking of letting the DRS know that I can't make any more appointments until Feb. By then The LEA would have had to have decided one way or another what they are doing in response to my tribunal appeal and we would have had some assessment from CAMHs so would have more info and could ask CAMHs to attend such a meeting then if still needed too. What do you think? Edited December 16, 2009 by wasuup Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sally44 Report post Posted December 16, 2009 What is the 'disagreement' they want to discuss at this meeting? If it is just the general issue of the statementing process, then may be told certain things at this meeting. I had a meeting with the SEN officer and PP at my house at the Proposed Statement stage and a number of telephone calls from the LEA as well. Basically they were telling me I was wasting my time going to tribunal as the things I was asking for would never be included in a Statement. Well they were all included. So be very careful. If you feel it would be worth having this meeting, then go ahead but make sure someone is with you to vertify what is said. Don't agree to anything during the meeting as you need time to think things over. And check anything you are told to ensure it is true. If they promise you anything, then say that that can be included in the Statement. If it is a need he has then it will be included in the Statement. They may try to barter with you to stop you going through the statementing process. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JsMum Report post Posted December 16, 2009 Hi, I personally would still go ahead with the tribunal, let them disagree all they want, but bottom line is your son requires a statement, especially with the number of comorbids he is suspected of having, even traits have to be responded to, and the fact he has Dyspraxia already dx increased the likelyhood of an ASD and if ADHD is also a possibility he really need a statement in year 1,2 ect.... Reports can be added at a later date, make it stick like glue that you will go all the way to tribunal. I personally wouldnt except anything less than 20hrs with the level of complex needs your son has. I would ring IPSEA for more proffessional support and NAS have a educational support line too if you want to discuss the reports and assessments being added later in the month with your lad having traits of ASD/ADHD they will point you the right direction, as too the parents on this forum as Im not sure to the answer of extending the date? JsMumxxx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kathryn Report post Posted December 16, 2009 (edited) You aren't obliged to agree to this meeting and personally, I would be inclined not to, although it's your decision. There is nothing to negotiate over - either the LA are going to agree to assess, or they aren't. If they aren't, you will obviously want to continue with your appeal whatever the outcome of the meeting. A face to face meeting may not achieve much and may put you at a disadvantage because they may be waiting to capture anything that you say which might help their case - especially as their response is due a couple of days later. As Sally says they may also try to dissuade you from continuing your appeal by making false promises. If you do decide to go though, it's essential not to go alone: take someone who can take notes and who knows SEN law, and don't agree to anything at the meeting: say you need time to think it over. If you decide not to meet you can still continue to communicate with the LA in writing and you can also explain that you are waiting for further assessments and reports. You could say that you may consider a meeting when you have received their response to your appeal. Extending the appeal date - I'm not sure if this would be an advantage. Note that you can send in additional evidence up to 4 weeks before the hearing, so you will presumably have received the repors by then. By the time you get to that stage the LA may already have backed down anyway. K x Edited December 16, 2009 by Kathryn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wasuup Report post Posted December 16, 2009 Thanks guys my Head is less fuzzy now I wasn't expecting that letter today. Am trying to declutter my brain and get into xmas mode and keep the SEN to one side for a week or 2. I agree with what you all say and will go with Kathryns suggestions. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CarerQuie Report post Posted December 20, 2009 We took the other approach and went to the disagreement resolution meeting. We put the Code of Practice visibly on the table. Aafterwards,we still decided to continue to tribunal. The LA conceded at the last minute. xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
