Article in my local paper

[annie]

Below is the article that has been printed in our local paper.

 

I've just contacted the paper to ask if they could pass my number on to the parents. The Editor has asked if I would like to do a follow-up story, but I've told him that until our amended statement is finalised I don't feel I can, but I may do afterwards.

 

 

She has Asperger's and begs to be sent to a special school - but the inclusion system says no

 

A teenager who feels misunderstood at her secondary school because she has special needs says she longs to be accepted by her peers - or moved to a special school.

 

**** 14, said not all the teachers in her mainstream school realise what it means to have Aserger's Syndrome, which is a form of Autism, so she often gets detentions for not behaving like her classmates.

 

Her parents, ***** and ***** are unhappy that inclusion - the name for bringing special needs youngsters into mainstream school - does not seem to be working for their child, and they are calling for better special training for all staff in the borough.

 

****, who was diagnosed seven years ago, said "People think I'm naughty but I need extra time. When they tell me off they have angry faces and make me feel bad and I shout and get into more trouble. If they would tell me calmly it would be all right."

 

Mr *** (Dad) said, "Our daughter is teased and bullied mercilessly by other pupils, lacks confidence and often cries herself to sleep. However, despite all this she is a loving, gentle, honest and beautiful child. She has begged us to send her to a special school.

 

"We love her as she is but it is so painful to watch her suffer, knowing we can do nothing to help".

 

Mrs ***** (Mum) said, "We would have preferred a special school for our daughter but she has not been statemented because she's bright.

 

"We were told she would not get the benefits and stimulus of a mainstream school, but socialising is important too".

 

****, one of three sisters, said "I feel left out and people think I'm strange because I read a book in the library at playtime.".

 

"I look out the window and see everyone enjoying themselves and think maybe if I went to a school which has people like me I might fit in better".

 

Mr ***** (Dad) said, "Most school staff do not understand Asperger's or are too busy or too intolerant to care. We have been led to believe that educating children in a mainstream school was to help society become more tolerant and understanding and to ensure children with these problems are not over-protected".

 

"However, as everyone suffers by this policy: the child, themselves, their siblings, teachers and other students, I can only conclude this is a government initiative to save money at the expense of our Asperger's children's health, education, self-esteem and future value to society".

 

**** *****, assistant director of education, youth and leisure, said: Schools in the borough have wide ranging training programmes for all teachers that include training concerning needs."

 

"If any special needs pupils in a mainstream school feels that their needs are not being full recognised, they, or their parents, can talk to the head or the special educational needs co-ordinator".

 

 

 

My response to the assistant directors comments:-

 

1 - The wide ranging training programmes are voluntary. I know, I used to work as an LSA in the borough. I was stopped from going to a few of the training programmes (which only last for a few hours ) due to not having anybody to cover for me.

 

2 - Even with a statement, the head, the SENCO and others at my son's (ex) school were of the opinion that his Asperger's was 'very mild' and all he needed was 'a kick up the bum', which was why we contacted IPSEA and our MP.

 

Rant over

 

Annie

Edited August 3, 2005 by annie

[TuX]

What is it with the government,trying to force more and more kids to stay in mainstream?

There are calls for more grammar schools,yet special schools are being closed,and children are being forced to work within an unworkable environment.

Mainstream high school is terrible for ASDers,a lot of NT students insult or bully those who are different to themselves,the amount of children in mainstream high schools is too many,the size of the buildings are often too large and confusing,there is so much noise and meltdown inducing situations,and the teachers can be just as ignorant as other children.

The child should be given the choice of going to a special school if-they would be unable to cope with the mainstream environment,and-if there is a special school near them.

This mainstream inclusion rule is akin to sadistic torture for many ASDers.

[lynyona]

my son would no way have coped with mainstream school ,and we were lucky that he was statemented from the age of 9 with learning disabilities to enable him to meet the criteria, it was only after he had leeft school was actually diagnosed ASD. lynn

[annie]

Hi TuX,

 

I agree. My son was in a mainstream school with an ASD unit attached to it. though he was not allowed in it apart from as a punishment, but that is another story

 

When we saw the 'unit' it was a room with a few desks and computers in, but the room was in one of the main corridors of the school. When you realise that the school has approx. 1500 pupils in it, the noise from the corridor in between lessons hardly made it the most appropriate place for children with sensory problems. It seemed that whoever had the idea didn't know about ASDs.

 

 

UPDATE FROM THE LOCAL PAPER

 

 

I had a call from the journalist who wrote the article this afternoon. She is going to pass my number on to the parents. She said that they are at their wits end and don't know where to turn which is why they contacted her. I told her that as I had already been through a similar situation I would like to try to help, if i can (IPSEA came straight to mind). She thinks that they will contact me.

 

The journalist asked me again about doing a follow-up. She is really concerned about the horror stories that she keeps hearing about. I told her I still want to get my son's amended statement sorted out first, but would be happy to do something on SEN problems that we face annonymously.

 

Annie

[helenl53]

Hi Annie

 

Is there anyone on this forum who is not at a critical stage who could keep the pot boiling on this story.

 

I know how you feel. I have our local journo snapping at my heels but I have a Tribunal appeal coming up so I can't rock the boat. But just wait until I am finished

 

Can you mention the local paper - I don't know if the forum rules stops us from doing that and maybe it will be the local paper of someone on the forum

 

 

Best wishes

 

HelenL

[smallworld]

I can't see how there would be a problem in stating the newsapaper involved, it's only a small step down from providing a link to a story in a national newspaper. If it's out there in the press .... ???

[helenl53]

Hi Waccoe

 

I have heard from a friend of mine that this story is in the Uxbridge and West Drayton Gazette.

 

So I guess, if anyone knows anyone in that neck of the woods that wants to keep the story fresh, then they need to contact the paper.

 

There must be someone out there who knows someone in that area.

 

Best wishes

 

HelenL

[smallworld]

Hi,

I said I thought it would be ok cos I could post a link to stories in our local rag (if i knew how!!)

I'm sure Kris will be along to tell us if we're in the naughty corner ! (will argue my case with no eloquence, and lots of crying)

Not my neck of the woods, I'm afraid, our local paper just sticks to the latest *****gate scandal.

Edited August 4, 2005 by waccoe

[annie]

Hi Helen,

 

Yours friend was right. It is in the Uxbridge and West Drayton Gazette.

 

The journalist writes articles for the education page of the paper. But this article took up a whole page in another part of the paper.

 

I have noticed that in the past few months there have been a few smaller pieces in the paper about Asperger's in general. I can't remember if they were by the same journalist, but at least it's been brought to people's attention.

 

If anybody would like a copy of the article, pm me and I will send you a copy.

 

Annie

[smallworld]

Today we have a story in our local rag about a boy aged 5 who has been expelled from a local school for his behaviour 'for the safety of staff and other children'. This child has no school to go in sept., and has had only a few hours of one:to:one in a MLD school for the last term.The professionals cannot agree whether he has an asd or not(mother is awaiting a second opinion, she thinks aspergers) This is disgraceful, it shouldn't be down to a dx just to get a school place anywhere! I know(through local bush telegraph) that my son's school were thinking of taking him, but not anymore (?? don't know why)

He's only 5, and without that dx he seems to have nowhere to go. This can't be right.

[annie]

This was printed in the local paper this week in reply to the article.

 

[/b]Many parents feel the school system is letting them down.

 

I am writing in response to an aticle in the Gazette regarding a 14 year old girl with Asperger's whose parents feel her needs are not being met by ******** LEA.

 

I can totally relate to what her parents are saying as my son is 10 and also has Asperger's Syndrome, as well as having dyspraxia.

 

I am currently trying for a statutory assessment for him.

 

When he returns to school in September it will be his final year in primary school and we will be at the stage where we are meant to be considering applying to secondary schools.

 

We are extremely concerned about this as we know our child far better than anyone, and we know he will not cope with secondary school without the support and security of a statement.

 

W are so seriously worried I am willing to remove him from the school system completely and teach him myself at home if he does not get this vital support.

 

In the article, assistant director of education youth and leisure Mr P said "****** schools have wide ranging training programmes for all teachers that include training concerning needs".

 

For a start, they need specific and compulsory training in Autistic Spectrum Disorders. If the school is willing to accept children with these disabilities then surely they should know how to teach and care for them.

 

Mr P also says "If any special needs pupils in mainstream school feels their needs are not being fully recognised they or their parents can talk to the head or the special educational needs coordinator".

 

Parents are doing this and we are just not being listened to properly!

 

As a mother I speak to many other parents of children with special needs and, I can tell you, myself and Mr and Mrs X from your article are far from the only parents who feel let down, upset and angry.

 

We are the ones who have to deal with the damage a failing system is doing to our precious children.

 

Thank you very much for your time and thank you for having the sense and guts to print such an honest heartfelt article. We parents do appreciate the support.

 

 

 

It wasn't me who sent in the reply. But my responses to the comments made by the assistant director of educ, youth and leisure are pretty similar.

 

Shows it's not just me who feels like that.

 

Annie

[Jeni]

i have just registered for this forum and felt i had to reply to this post.

 

my son started secondary school last spetember. he had support with the transition and the outreach team with the help of inscape house i think did a training day for all the teachers in my sons new school prior to him ariving. this was their training session.

 

my experience of this tho has not been good. all the reports i have had from teachers at the school tell me how lovely my son is, what a delight to teach, how polite etc. all except for 1, his science teacher. he got national average in science in his yr6 sats which every1 was really pleased about, now this teacher says heislazy. he has problems writing, he hates it and it takes up so much of his concentration to do that he cant think of anything else so he has an alphasmart at school. his science teacher doesnt like this tho, his work has become disjointed and the alphasmart is no good when they have to do diagrams etc but rather thabn thinking of ways to help him she would rather he didnt use it.

 

he also has to have any homework written down for him i his homework diary which he has to hand in at the start of the lesson, this he i not very good at remembering but this teacher wont ask him for it and she seems to set homework halfway through the lesson when she feels like it, not good for him. i have asked her to ask him for it but she cant. he has since come home really upset because she gave him a detention for not doing his homework, i had to explain to him that detentions arent all that bad, that i got lots of them in school and not to worry about it. it still took him hours to calm down tho.

 

i have tried to complain to the senco at the school about this and the only advice i got was 'lets hope he has a different teacher next year' this was unacceptable. i also sent a letter in to the head of year who was supposed to get back to me to discuss it, it never happened.

 

i think what i am trying to say in my post is, no matter how much training u give to teachers they will decide whether they want to take any notice of it or not, and quite a few of them seem to not want to bother. the training sessions are a waste of time for these teachers and the sencos dont seem to have enough power to enforce things and sort problems like this out.

[Flora]

Sat for ages typing and deleting and typing because this thread is so close to my heart.

 

My AS son should be starting secondary this September, but because of a series of unfortunate events (!) he is going to be reapeating year 6 this September.

 

I won't go in to all the details as it would take hours but I so want to make these cases national news and am able and willing to give the time to do this. If anyone is interested in bringing this as a group story to a big newspaper then I'm all for it. I feel ill with the stress and worry but now I know that I'm not alone (there appear to be so many of us out there) then I feel like a united effort will go along way.

 

 

Lauren

[annie]

For 3rd week running in my local paper, and by the sound of it the paper want it to continue.

 

Taken from 'Your Letters'.

 

Problems caused by the inclusion policy

 

I am writing in response to the article in the ***** of August 3 from the family with the daughter with Asperger's Syndrome.

 

This is my view.

 

Mr and Mrs *** are not alone in trying to get what's best for their daughter.

 

I have a grandson of five who has a range of problems and a diagnosis which relates to the Autistic Spectrum.

 

Mr daughter is encountering a brick wall with his educational needs because, despite having all the evidence from all relevant agencies, the educational psychologist disagrees and at present we cannot get a statement.

 

I find this ludicrous as at my grandson's school the support staff and teachers and head teachers have given all their backing to my daughter, and have been excellent, but one person seems to let all this down with her report.

 

So this leaves us all powerless to get what's right for this little boy.

 

It is unfair to put a child's life on hold while budgets are being considered, to not allow him his right to be taught how he should be.

 

And the parents should not be made to feel that society has not the time for these children who are unhappy, not unruly.

 

All the staff dealing with my grandson's problems know what he needs to progress.

 

However, a stranger who assesses him for a short period of time has the right to determine his future on her report, and I think its morally wrong.

 

I am in full agreement with the family mentioned, they need individual support, not to be made to feel that their problems dont count.

 

 

 

The paper also says as a lead up to the letter -

 

This week another reader who has first-hand experience of the inclusion system - teaching special needs children in mainstream schools writes in.

 

Do you think inclusion works - for children with and without special needs? Please tell us what you think.

 

 

I going to make my contribution If anybody else want the papers e-mail address please pm me.

 

Annie

[helenl53]

Hi All,

 

Channel 4 are following an IPSEA Story and so they may be interested and also the Daily Mail seem to be sympathetic. They did two pages on the terrible things that happened to the Storey family and the eventual death of Debbie Storey .

 

Please contact the Chief of Staff of David Cameron MP if you would like to participate in the information gathering excercise for the SEN Commission. Representations need to be in by the end of August. Contact details :- DEANEA@parliament.uk

 

There is also the Government Select Committee Review into SEN. Don't know where the link is but it is somewhere on the forum. (please someone, post the thread !)

 

We need to be persistent. The newspapers seem to be inviting us to bring it on.

 

I have wondered about whether or not to contact TES to see if they would do an article from a parents point of view or perhaps organise a round table meeting with parents/teachers with everyone being honest. That would be good because then it would not be parent or teacher bashing but interested parties discussing the issues!.

 

Contact your local Councillor with the Education Portfolio and give him an ear bashing. Also give your local MP an ear bashing as well.

 

We must be like dripping taps - and we must not go away.

 

I have made contact with NAS and am trying to get them to ensure that parents on forums such as this are given information and NAS Campaign material so that they can elicit our input on ASD matters and not just to target select groups. This is still at the setting out our stall stage and I will report back when things become tangible.

 

I think that individually, but as a whole (if that makes sense) we are making it happen.

 

Everyone keep chipping away - you should be aware that there are thousands of other parents who are chipping away in their own corner of the world and we will make a difference - chip, chip, chip.

 

Best wishes

 

HelenL

[annie]

Hi Helen,

 

Thanks for the info.

 

I know it's only a local paper, but they've managed to keep the stories going for a few weeks now and want to keep it an issue, so I'm trying to help them along a bit

 

I'll contact my local Councillor (who put a stinging letter on the same page, different subject though), she is VERY vocal and knows of my case as we we're in phone contact over it.

 

Annie (chip, chip)

<'>

[helenl53]

Hi Annie,

 

We should all be know hereafter as the 'Chipmunks'.

 

Best wishes

 

HelenL

[annie]

 

I've just sent an e-mail to the local the help them on their way

 

Annie

[annie]

I received an e-mail from the paper this afternoon telling me that they want to put my letter in next weeks edition. They said that they would put 'name and address supplied' on the letter but needed my details for their records. I've just got off the phone from them agreeing to do that. I have explained again that I don't want to be named because we're still trying to tie up the loose ends on our prosposed amended statement.

 

The person who I spoke to wants to keep the LEA/schools/statements issues going as they are still hearing lots of horror stories.

 

I gave the person IPSEA's website address to look at and asked if they could put some information on what IPSEA do and contact details

 

Well, the LEA or schools are not going to let parents know about them, are they

 

Annie

[LKS]

annie have e-mailed the paper today. We have the same LEA. Have also asked to have my name and address witheld mainly to protect my children's identity. I have in the past also contacted my M.P. about this incompetant(sp) LEA and their completely unfair criteria for stat.ass. Have passed their details onto IPSEA as well. Hope this keeps the story going in the gazette.

[annie]

Hi LKS,

 

Wow..........what a coincidence.

 

Aren't we unlucky

 

I hope they put IPSEA's info in the paper.

 

Annie

XX

[Brook]

Well done

 

Annie, this reminds me of

 

Keep it up

 

Brook

[mandyque]

Wow great work you guys, this is a subject I've seen many times with friends children. Fortunately (or not as the case may be) my dd was so obviously severely affected with autism so inclusion was never an issue, but I have seen other people struggling to either get their children into a special school or having them included in mainstream where appropriate.

 

I have always said inclusion is a good thing for those who can cope with it but most children with ASDs are going to find mainstreaming difficult, especially if they don't get the support and understanding they need.

 

My current issue is about inclusion for my dd in a special needs playscheme, believe it or not! They are supposed to be there for special needs kids but if they need 1:1 care they can't go. If they have physical or medical needs they can't go because the staff they use aren't trained to do medications and there is no nurse to carry out procedures such as catheterisation for children with physical disabilities. They even insist on the child being toilet trained! For the second year running I have had real problems getting alternative placements for my dd and the pressure is unbearable. I have complained and am waiting while my complaint is passed from one department to the next to find someone who will take responsibility I will keep this up until I get a satisfactory outcome, or I know of some other parents who are willing to take this to the press as a discrimination story.

 

I'm on a mission now and they will know my name!!!!!!!!

[MelowMeldrew]

It's not just 'inclusive' (Cheapo), education that's an issue, but even smaller Autistic units, my son is at one of them for 12 months only because the building is new, albeit it takes less than a dozen children, an oasis is all it is. 'Inclusion' is not really possible, it runs along the lines of the PHU's (Partial Hearing Units that deaf or HI children get sent to), all that happens is they rarely move out of it.

 

If a child gets bullied the school should be addressing this, but in the case of 'non-standard' behaviour it's clear discrimination to punish these children because they're different. while congregating 'like with like', unlike the deaf/HI version Aspi's won't get any sort of sense of 'community' or empathy with it, so whether a special school place would address this I'm unsure.

 

Personally if my child got bullied I'd take him straight out and he wouldn't go back until the school sorted itself out, no way would I let this 2 pence integrational system mess up my child's life. Some higher-functioning Aspi's manage mainstream most don't. You can't integrate a child with 'peers', they clearly aren't his/her peers are they ? It's astounding the people attempting this integration and inclusion, have no idea what they're dealing with, and attempting to see if our children can 'copy' the 'norm'.

 

Education Jim ? not as we know it................

[annie]

Hi Mandyque,

 

As you say, the all important thing about inclusion is getting the right support and understanding, that is what isn't happening.

 

It's crazy that your special needs playscheme can refuse children because they have special needs, where's the logic

 

As Helen said, we have to keep chipping away. The whole inclusion thing on paper sounds great, but each child has different needs and inclusion doesn't take that into account. The trouble is, nobody who can change the way things work seems to understand that

 

Annie

<'> <'>

[LKS]

Hi annie have had an e-mail from the editor of the paper today she is interested in printing my letter as well. I have said to her that I don't think our LEA is any worse than anyone elses, just that they are all generally quite bad! A friend of mine who is a teacher and works with pupils that have been excluded told me that our LEA are in serious money difficulties(what else is new!) so they will probably be looking for even more brilliant ideas to save money.

[annie]

Hi LKS,

 

Great

 

There wasn't anything in the paper this week. I wonder if they are going to do a big spread.........we can only hope.

 

LEA with serious money difficulties - like you say, 'what's new'.

 

They must have spent a bomb on the new academy near Stockley Park. Maybe that had something to do with it.

 

Annie

<'> <'>

[helenl53]

Hi Mandyque

 

Have only just read your posting, but one of my parents in the group told me that if a child had a statement of SEN and it stipulated 1:1 for specific hours per week, then those same number of supported hours had to be given during holiday time for support at playschemes.

 

The parent who told me about this is not around at present, but I am sure, that someone will know something about it - probably the 'Wise One'

 

It may be that it is something that is jointly funded by SS/Health and education, although, this is all going to come under the one umbrella shortly and shouldn't that make life easier

 

If I find out more, I will post - but maybe you could find someone at the lea who will point you to the little known bit of legislation. Usually, you have to really be persistent before someone will eventually own up!

 

Failing that - IPSEA or NAS may have some idea of support our of school hours.

 

It is going to be part of the Childrens and Young Peoples Plan for children to be able to achieve out of school as well!

 

Best wishes

 

HelenL