phasmid Report post Posted May 30, 2005 I am the parent of 2 children with SEN, 1 has partial hearing loss and 1 has Aspergers Syndrome. I am currently a SEN Teaching Assistant in a mainstream primary school in the East of England. I am aiming to become a qualified teacher specialising in SEN. I am currently studying SEN provision in MAINSTREAM ENGLISH Primary schools as my final year dissertation for a BA (Hons). a segement of my paper will be focussed on parental views of SEN provision and family support, in England. Below is a web link to my site: http://phasmid.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/ I would be very grateful to any uk based parents who can spare me the time to fill the questionnaire in for me. I believe that things could be much better than they are and hope my research will provide proof of this. Many thanks Phasmid. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Helen Report post Posted May 30, 2005 Sorry Phasmid, I'm unable to help you as my son is 13 yrs old now and we live in Wales... welcome to Krism anyway Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kathryn Report post Posted May 30, 2005 Hi Phasmid, Good luck with your research and with your future career. I don't think I'm eligible for your questionnaire either as my daughter is 16, but I'm sure you'll get some takers. K Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hectorshouse Report post Posted May 30, 2005 Thanks Phasmid have completed questionaire, nice to see you here from TES, I hope that you will become a regular contributor, I think that you have much advice and wisdom to share. HHxx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nellie Report post Posted May 30, 2005 A warm welcome to the forum Phasmid, I recognise you from TES, look forward to 'chatting' with you. Sorry, I can't assist with the questionaire, my 'boys' are all grown up, but I wish you the best of luck. Nellie xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phasmid Report post Posted May 30, 2005 Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. I just wish I could have included SEN from pre-school to 16. But my area of study ia aimed at the area I want to teach, which is priamry. Personally I feel that not enough research has been done regarding the support offerd to parents during and after the diagnostic process. From my own, parental, experiences I know only too well that what should happen doesn't often take place. It is also the case that some staff in mainstream do care and get as equally annoyed and upset as parents when the system doesn't respond or responds so slowly it may as well not respond! But, there are some of us out there who aim to try and change this. It won't happen overnight, but I really do believe it can happen. Mainstream isn't right for all, I am well awre of that, but with a bit of effort it can do a better job than it is for some. I hope my research will help to enlighten a few minds. Who knows I may even try and persuade someone to publish it if I think its good enough - try and reach a few more minds. In the meantime the fight for our kids goes on, I hope I can help a bit. Phasmid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phasmid Report post Posted May 30, 2005 Meant to add; If any of your children were diagnosed whilst at mainstream primary (even if they are not there now because of age or educational need) then your experiences will still be a valuable addition to the research data. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suze Report post Posted May 30, 2005 Hi Phasmid I recognise you from TES, welcome glad you made it over from the dark side , and the ASBO thread! Just filled the survey in hope you stick around. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phasmid Report post Posted May 30, 2005 Ah yes, the ASBO thread... It got a bit heated there for a while but, it has settled down a bit since! Haven't seen much of good ol' Barriesmart for a few days - at least not under that user name! I am really pleased with the response so far. Over 20 replies and the site has only been live for a few hours. I would like a good (high) 3 figure response from a wide range of parents with differing SEN issues. That would give my research some really solid substance. If anyone knows of any other SEN websites where the link could be posted please, please, please pass the link on or let me have the web address for the site. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bid Report post Posted May 30, 2005 Hi Phasmid, Welcome to the Super Dudes!! I think you'll find this site a much nicer place to be! My son is nearly 16, but he was diagnosed when he was at Primary School. Is that too long ago to be of any use? Bid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phasmid Report post Posted May 30, 2005 NO! It is of use. Please fill the questionnaire in. You could add dates in the final box. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bid Report post Posted May 30, 2005 OK...done! Bid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zemanski Report post Posted May 31, 2005 Always glad to find mainstream teachers on the side of our kids (and actually having some experience and understanding of them which is even rarer) several of us are teachers/ LSAs etc ourselves and we're probably even more frustrated with the system because we see the problems from both sides - how about the last Y4 class I had: 2 ADHD children both on ritalin one with separation anxiety and behaviour problems (used to climb on the roof etc) - statemented ,full time provision plus lunch and breaks the other with bowel problems, eating disorders, deformed limbs from childhood arthiritis, dyspraxia, dyslexia, colour blind ..... - no statement, not even on school action plus, no provision whatsoever, not a lot of hope of getting any either as mum and dad were pretty uneducated and didn't know where to start! (I did try to set them on the right track and I did get him on SA+ and get him OT but I wasn't there very long and I'm not sure the senco was too interested) There are many, many teachers out there who do care, unfortunately with ASDs often even those who care don't have a clue - not their fault (entirely) but not easy to be tolerant when your kid is trying to kill himself at 6years old! I wish you all the best and really hope you survive (I ended up ill and giving up teaching to care for Com 'cause high school was even more of a nightmare than primary) Zemanski Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baddad Report post Posted May 31, 2005 Hi Phasmid - My circumstance slightly different as diagnosis and statement done before starting school, but after that - same old same old! Hope it helps. BD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oracle Report post Posted May 31, 2005 Hi Phasmid Just realised that you have joined the gang. Filled the survey in times 2. Welcome Carole Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phasmid Report post Posted May 31, 2005 Zemanski, I know exactly what you mean about some parents simply not knowing what there child is entitled to. The system is , it seems, happy to let them slip through the net. That should not be allowed to happen. I have raised more than once that parents may not realise that: 1. There is anything wrong. 2. That things can be done to help their child. The system seems to take little account of the fact that parents themselves may have SEN issues and need help to ensure their children get help. To me that is a huge failing...it's criminal! In the early days we came close to withdrawing Phas Jr - we didn't and, in his case, that was the right thing to do. I can, however fully understand why plenty do! As you say: "several of us are teachers/ LSAs etc ourselves and we're probably even more frustrated with the system because we see the problems from both sides" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zemanski Report post Posted June 1, 2005 Don't get me started on that one - I work for parent partnership as an IPS now specialising in ASDs and so many parents are just trying to keep their heads above water, often coping with more than one SEN kid, possibly having undiagnosed traits themselves, or a partner that has. One of my recent cases was for a kid functioning 6 years below his peers in reading who could read better than his mum! Fortunately, school and the responsible officer had decided they just couldn't cope and referred her to us (they even rang us up to expain why we had to do all the work as mum couldn't - lucky, lucky boy!!!) I also work for an adult support group - it's even harder for adults to get help and diagnosis and they often don't have a committed mum or teacher to see them through. The whole world is unfair for AS people - at least if it's just delayed learning there is already some sort of provision within schools. For AS kids they rarely fit the SEN criteria very well and the provision needs to be so specialist you have to fight for it. Then of course, even if you are a specialist in a subject, convincing a senco that you do actually know what you're talking about and are not just stressing about nothing is a nightmare. ho hum! Zemanski Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mossgrove Report post Posted June 1, 2005 Phasmid Sometimes it's not just the system letting people slip through the net, sometimes the system actively pushes them through it. It is tragic to see the number of people who have been told that their child cannot get a statement because they are too high functiong (not true!), or the school is unable to provideany help due to funding issues (They hace delegated SEN funding), the child cannot have autism''(as assessed by someone with no knowledge of ASD's) and a while host of similar issues. It is why forums like this are such a Godsend. Simon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
admum Report post Posted June 2, 2005 Have just filled it in. It brought back some v unhappy memories of the way we were treated. I do hope that people take notice of what you say. Im afraid I agree that the system actually does push people through the net - to avoid the cost. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phasmid Report post Posted June 2, 2005 admum, firstly thank you for filling in the questionnaire for me. Secondly I am truly sorry if it has dragged up into the present, things that happened in the past and this has caused you any distress. I hope, I really do, that when I have finished the dissertation I can use it in a positive way and try to make some difference to those children out there who the 'system' overlooks, shoves aside etc. One thing is for certain, I'll talk the hindlegs of any donkey who will listen. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kathryn Report post Posted June 3, 2005 Sometimes it's not just the system letting people slip through the net, sometimes the system actively pushes them through it. I wish I'd said that! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
annie Report post Posted June 3, 2005 Phasmid, I've just filled in the survey. Kathryn, Ditto. I feel the same way too. Annie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phasmid Report post Posted June 3, 2005 Which is why I want to teach! I want to know that wherever I am schoolwise I am in a position to not let that happen. (does that sound awfuly big-headed? I hope not, it isn't meant to.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sarahjane Report post Posted June 3, 2005 hi would love to help and fill in questionaire but we live in scotland does this count or do you have to be in england? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phasmid Report post Posted June 3, 2005 Scotland has a different education system to England and I don't think SEn provision is handled in the same way (I don't know for certain so I stand to be corrected). So sorry, but I don't think I could use your responses in the findings. If, however you would like to copy and paste the questions into an e-mail and send your answers to me directly I may be able to use them as a comparision. Phasmid_uk@yahoo.co.uk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phasmid Report post Posted June 8, 2005 ^^Up^^ Sorry, just want people to see my link. In light of Warnock comments I feel this is even more of an issue than ever! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phasmid Report post Posted June 13, 2005 As above. Can I also ask if anyone could be kind enough to post the link on any boards they may visit as well. I'd like to get as many responses as possible. 100+ so far but more would add serious weight to my findings. A big thank you to all who have filled it in already, and sorry to drag it back up the board again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phasmid Report post Posted June 23, 2005 Same again. Only wish the number of views = the number of responses on the survey itself! Soooo, if you haven't filled it in yet I'd be really grateful if you could spare the time to do it. I hope to be able to use this dissertation for the good of any SEN child in mainstream but, I will only have any clout with my findings if I have a higher number of responses (only about 130 so far). Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
