how to manage chronic constipation in school setting

[sawjd]

Hello everyone,

 

Well it has been a very unpleasant and very stressful 4 days regarding bowel prep and endoscopy. Our k has not long been back from GOSH tonight and the initial diagnosis is ..... idiopathic chronic constipation. We knew he suffered from chronic constipation and even though the staff at the hospital were wonderful there is only so much that they can do regarding school support for this type of condition.

 

 

While our k was in hospital (the EWO knew this) they sent a threatening letter saying if we don't sign a parent contract they will either fine us or imprison me for three months if we fail to sign this and the date is Wednesday for this meeting. Our k has only just come out of hospital tonight, i do not know what to expect for the next few days regarding his bowels, he does not want to go back to school as he has been struggling with this for years now and this has been going on for two schools (he has changed twice now.)

 

The LEA are refusing a special school as they say the current school is adequate and can meet his needs yet on his statement (the one which we are disputing) they are saying he has no problems and he has access to a private toliet which is now next to his class. The school are REFUSING TO CLEAN HIM SHOULD HE HAVE AN ACCIDENT AS THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TOUCH HIM YET IN A SPECIAL SCHOOL THEY CAN. (sorry, i have put that in captials as i am angry but want to highlight this is a real problem).

 

We are having problems in managing/now having to retrain his bowel movements and on the statement it says our k is responsible for his own self care management (if he could manage he would not have got to this stage to be hospitalised)

 

He has been given a personal care plan that means ###### all as the emphasis is on getting k to seek guidance and that he will be advised that the toileting is a private matter and that someone will give guidance until he learns. They will not become physically involved.

 

The personal care plan is mentioned as a title on the statement but not specified on the statement.(which means they can change it anytime they like.

 

Can anyone tell me with this part of ASD/chronic constipation can we ask the panel that the school have to provide someone to help clean him should this arise. What should we be asking for to help our k manage this. It will take years for his bowel to adapt and get regular as they (GOSH) found his bowel was extremely stretched. They should us a picture. It has taken fours days of kleen prep, sodium picosulphate (his was sick with this so they had anti sickness medicine) senna

and 6 to 10 litres of fluid just to clean him out and i was giving him movicol before all of this. They put a tube down his nose and all sort of intavenous lines going on. We don't want him going through this again so we know its his behaviour that has lead to this or its part of this but the school do not accept this. The hospital could not confirm its down to his behaviour but said the lack of fluid does not help him at school and he does not drink well at all at home either. So now what ?

 

The trust is broken and the lies this school is coming out with is unbelievable. I have been looking into the this condition a bit more to see if there is anyone out there who has found a way of providing support for this at school.

 

Can anyone help what provision should we ask for ? should we fight for the special school still or can this condition be managed in mainstream ?. I feel so angry and so upset for k and what he has had to go through and the thought/fear of going back to a incompetent school i just can't put him through this anymore.

 

please can anyone shed light on this problem and what direction or areas of support should we be looking at ?

 

many thanks,

 

sarni.

[Sally44]

Did you ask GOSH to put something in writing about his hospital stay. I presume you have the appointment letter?

 

You are going to tribunal aren't you? So forget what the LA are saying. The Panel will place him at a school that can meet his needs, including his bowel and toiletting issues, which I presume you have in writing from GOSH? Did you ask them to put in writing what support he will need in school, including 1:1 and help with cleaning himself up.

 

Have you also asked them if this is linked to stress or anxiety? And ask them to put that in writing. Because it probably does play a part in this situation.

 

The type of school he should be at is one that can meet his cognitive level and also ALL his other needs, which includes his toiletting needs. Have you found one that can?

 

The Statement is incorrect isn't is. How can it state he manages his own self care when he clearly cannot.

 

Again I would write to the professional involved, and tell them that that is what his Statement of SEN currently says, and that your son definately cannot manage them, and can they put in their letter that he cannot manage his own self care because the Statement is supposed to be a true reflection of need and what is required to support the child whilst in school. The Education Act and the SEN Code of Practice clearly state that the Statement should identify each need. And you do have the appointments from GOSH. Do you have other more indepth letters that explain in detail what the problem is, what caused it, and what is needed to help the child? You also need that.

 

Do you have in writing what the hospital had to do to clean him out? Do you have any letter that links this with his ASD and anxiety. If so they just go to an Educational Tribunal for a school that can meet his needs.

 

Forget about what the LA or school are saying. You need the Statement amended and you need the Tribunal Panel to have ALL the evidence in writing in letters and reports that detail his needs and difficulties. This is a need. The LA/school have to meet it. If this school cannot meet this need, then ask them to put that in writing to you. Then submit that letter as evidence that his current school cannot meet his toiletting issues. But what I am also concerned about is that if your son is not coping in that school this anxiety and stress will be making it all worse.

[puffin]

The school are REFUSING TO CLEAN HIM SHOULD HE HAVE AN ACCIDENT AS THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TOUCH HIM YET IN A SPECIAL SCHOOL THEY CAN. (sorry, i have put that in captials as i am angry but want to highlight this is a real problem).

 

 

I think that you should contact ipsea and find out whether the school are allowed to refuse support needed with toileting

http://www.ipsea.org.uk/

 

It might be a breach of the disability act