Help needed Friday review with the SENCO+Teacher

[Malika]

Hi to all

 

Please Help, I need to work something out as I have the SEN review for H on Friday, the Teacher keep saying that he is doing well at the moment but I think his language on more complexe and abstract level is not good.

Beside his social interaction seem to go down the hill very fast.

 

There are things which are better this year the Teacher much more understanding with some experience with ASD children, H has now 2 hours support mainly for literacy with a TA in the class room, 1 hr numeracy group support, 1 hr cmmunication skill with the Senco sometimes on his own and sometimes with 2 other children.

H is suppose to have 30 mns Tuesday and Thursday with our sportman L.L for social skills activities and games this unfortunatly hardly ever happen on Tuesday because LL is feeding a little boy with severe cerebral palsy as he is one of the only one to be trained for it. D the little boy is in a wheelchair and speak through a computer he of course has a full statement LL is not his TA but for some reason he has to look after him during lunch time and when this happen on Tuesday or Thursday the social group is cancelled.

 

H had 5 targets set up for him in June 05

 

1- to follow instruction that have been given to the class or group. ( so far h had pbs with this because he would find difficult to understand when class instructions are for him as well or sometimes not for him)

 

2- to avoid behaviour designed to disrupt the work of others

 

3- to work well as part of a team ( suppose to work co-operatively with other once a week)

 

4-to plan and write a stry with a distinct beginning middle and end.

 

5- to apply the correct amount of pressure when writing.

 

First of all I think that 5 targets are too many and should be only three, second they have left out a precedent target about making friend and keeping them with the help of frienship group while H has not made progress about this. I feel as well that tose targets in general are too vagues.

 

Now I am not too sure how to handle the situation as the SENCO never gives us more than 25 mns meeting. I always feel that they just want to get reed of me quickly.

Please I need plenty advices and support I feel than once again they just will fly over the real problems pretending that everything is fine.

 

Malika.

[Guest hallyscomet]

Hi Malika,

 

I would be enclined to get and Educational Psychologist or your Son's Paediatrician, involved. thats what I did when my son was hitting a brick wall.

 

I agree they seem a bit vague and too much expectation here... maybe someone needs to educate your teacher about your son as an individual - what his individual needs are. The school can help to a point but I always got outside help in Speech & Behaviour as there were too many deficiencies at school, bringing the doctor in opened my sons teachers eyes. But unfortunately every year with a new teacher and then in High school with multiple teachers, I found I had to go and speak with them individually and a few times a year.

 

The best suggestion on teacher recommended was to keep a diary going regarding my childs homework etc. as he always had trouble processing and remembering what to do.??

 

Its a lot of work but the outcome always kept my son up with his peers, and to see him happy meant everything.

Does this sound like whats happening for your child.??

 

Hailey

[Malika]

Hi Halley

 

Thanks the pb is not so much the teacher but the SENCO she doesn't seem to understand. The Ep is out of question as her report just keep focusing on what I should do and that it was all my fault for her autism is a behaviour pb due to bad upbringing. I have started a diary but only from last week but for sure I will have to keep it going.

 

May be I should send an e-mail to the LEA communication specialist he may be able to help.

 

Thanks so much.

 

Malika.

[Zemanski]

off to catch a train in 2 mins but what the h*ll!

 

try writing out a few targets you think might suit him for discussion - a couple more than needed so there's a choice

 

ring parent partnership and ask for an independent parental supporter to go with you - sometimes they are useless but sometimes they are great, at least they are moral support and can minute the meeting

 

email the communications team - it's a bit short notice but our advisor has agreed to attend next week, hopefully they can advise and may speak to the senco

 

also email your responsible officer - is she attending the meeting? - at least to inform her of your concerns

 

Zemanski

Edited November 8, 2005 by Zemanski

[phasmid]

No time to give you a full answer right now (Work calls) but first off 5 targets is probably too many.

 

I'll give a better response this afternoon,

[CarerQuie]

That's intersting;Rhodri (at a special school)has quite a few more targets than that but they are far simpler and easier to measure;

 

eg.take lunch box out of backpack and put in the approprite place every morning.

Sit and listen in group time for 10 minutes.

Take turns with 2 others with support.

 

There are educational targets as well but the targets address particular issues that address his needs.Unfortunately,I can't find the latest one.xx

[Malika]

Hi all

 

Right now I am in tears because I just had my meeting with the lady from mencap who try to tell me that the Ep is right and bringing my son to scholl every morning 15 mns before the bell would probably solve a big part of his social interaction problems, this year he has beem late only twice so far not to say that it was hard job anyway specially on Mondays and when the previous day was a bad one.

 

She said as well that I should try to find more activity for H so I mentioned my feet pbs and she just said that she never heard of tarsal tunnel syndrome or MS (I was saying that I was waiting for nerve conduction test as requested by the consultant)

 

She kept saying that I was right and asking for referal for a pediatrician and fragile X test was a good idea then when I mentioned the OT report and sensory integration problem she then said that I was using too many medical terms and she wanted to warn me that people may think I am an Hypocondriac... Sorry but this is just over the top I would be very please not to have any medical pb in this household at all.

 

The fact is that H EP report is really messing everything up all the time I just would like to have a private one done but don't see how.

 

I was trying to get some help and I just regretting it now.

I was so annoyed with her and told her that older English people (she is quite old) do not know anything about their body not even where their liver is.

 

Zemanski I do not have a supporting officer. and last year parent partnership when I call them just took H name his school, DX and call the school to then feed me back with "well the school said that he is coping well , just go by what the school tells you to do"

 

At the moment the teacher is the one who is trying hard as well as our sport man LL, the head is building his new school and the Senco did not appreciate my complains last year and still keep a grudge about it.

 

The EP seems to be not only senior by definition but by fact...and nobody would ever dare to say anything

 

Just going to try e-mailing the communication specialist man for the LEA.

 

Sorry for the moan just can't take it any more...

 

 

Thank you so much I am so glad I have the group you all lot are the only one who understand <'> <'>

 

Malika.

[lancelot]

Malika, I can't be much help, but I'm just so furious that someone could call you a 'hypochondriac' for knowing the medical terms for your child's problems! How dare they! Maybe if they bothered to look up the terms as we have to, our kids would get more understanding.

Oh grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. How did you get out of there without kicking her? (Sorry, if you have foot problems i guess it would have hurt too much?)

 

lots of sympathy,

Lins

[smiley]

Malika <'> <'>

 

Reading your first post anoyed me enough But talking to you like that is unacceptable <'>

 

Too many medical terms??

 

Hypacondriac?????!!!!!

 

I'm furious for you. My sister-in-law suffers with MS and i have ME so i know how debilitating it can be. <'>

 

I'd be in tears too But remember, there are lots of people hear who will help you and are listening xxxxx

 

Can't think of anything constructive to advise you.... too bloomin' cross!!

 

<'> <'>

[Helen]

I mentioned the OT report and sensory integration problem she then said that I was using too many medical terms and she wanted to warn me that people may think I am an Hypocondriac... Sorry but this is just over the top I would be very please not to have any medical pb in this household at all.

Malika <'>

 

I can honestly say that I've only experienced positive encouters with MENCAP, I'm so sorry that you haven't been as lucky.

 

Chin up <'>

[phasmid]

First the tagets:

 

1- to follow instruction that have been given to the class or group. ( so far h had pbs with this because he would find difficult to understand when class instructions are for him as well or sometimes not for him)

 

2- to avoid behaviour designed to disrupt the work of others

 

3- to work well as part of a team ( suppose to work co-operatively with other once a week)

 

4-to plan and write a stry with a distinct beginning middle and end.

 

5- to apply the correct amount of pressure when writing.

 

Too many. Three or four at the most is what is reccomended. You cannot do everything at once! I'd suggest the following changes based on the above:

 

1. Instructions need to be given to 'H' in a very clear manner. He should be mentioned by name so he KNOWS that the instruction being given applies to him. Asking him to repeat back what he has been told may not work if he has not understood the instruction in the first place. After the instruction is given ask him what he should be doing now - ensure that this happens. If not re-phrase the instruction for him.

 

2. This implies he disrupt others on purpose which I seriously doubt. It has little use to HIM, though it is a nice one for the teacher to bandy about. I'd ask for it to be taken off. much of it will be addressed through 3, below.

 

3. Is not an achievable target for children with an ASD! Get it changed. Refuse to accept it. A better target would be to have an area set up for him to work in where HE invites someone to work with him IF he chooses to do so. This would be a very good opportunity to work on social interaction. By giving him control of it in this way it id far more likely to happen as he will be in charge of it, therefore he will ask for this to happen at times he feels able to cope with trying it. Where it is succesful it needs to be encouraged as much as possible and, praised to the hilt too!

 

4. Is the target too far in my opinion. It would be nice for him to do this but not necessary.

 

5. is ok (well they got one right at least!)

 

With 2 and 4 gone that leaves three good solid things for him to work on. The last is the one he should be reminded about most often. This is a fairly common problem though and will only improve with patience.

 

ALL the targets should start along the lines of 'H' will try to... 'H' will be encouraged to...etc.

 

Right now I am in tears  because I just had my meeting with the lady from mencap who try to tell me that the Ep is right and bringing my son to scholl every morning 15 mns before the bell would probably solve a big part of his social interaction problems,  this year he has beem late only twice so far not to say that it was hard job anyway specially on Mondays and when the previous day was a bad one.

 

Arriving 15 minutes early will not help his social difficulties - in fact it could make them worse in my opinion. It won't 'solve' them as they are due to his ASD, he may in time learn to cope but they will always be there.

 

She said as well that I should try to find more activity for H so I mentioned my feet pbs and she just said that she never heard of tarsal tunnel syndrome or MS (I was saying that I was waiting for nerve conduction test as requested by the consultant)

 

Have you had an OT assessment done for you both? You clearly have needs as well, they need to be addressed as much as your son's do! An OT assessment just might get YOU some help. Just because she hasn't heard of something is her problem not yours!

 

She kept saying that I was right and asking for referal for a pediatrician and fragile X test was a good idea  then when I mentioned the OT report and sensory integration problem she then said that I was using too many medical terms  and she wanted to warn me that people may think I am an Hypocondriac...    Sorry but this is just over the top I would be very please not to have any medical pb in this household at all.

 

Snap. When we get asked about 'other medical problems' within the household for any reason this makes us smile, 10 - 15 minutes later they sit there gob-smacked (no I won't type the lot out my fingers couldn't take it!).

 

 

At the moment the teacher is the one who is trying hard as well as our sport man LL, the head is building his new school and the Senco did not appreciate my complains last year and still keep a grudge about it.

 

Tough on the SENCo if they were doing the right things you wouldn't need to complain!

 

The EP seems to be not only senior by definition but by fact...and nobody would ever dare to say anything 

 

Just going to try e-mailing the communication specialist man for the LEA.

 

If that fails writ to the director of education - the top boss. Most of them dislike parental complaints like this and will try to get them sorted.

 

Sorry for the moan just can't take it any more... 

 

Moan for all your worth, we're 100% behind you.

 

Hope some of this is useful.

[Zemanski]

not long back from my first day at college so I'm not up to much but have some of these to keep you going

 

<'> <'> <'> <'> <'>

 

Zemanski

[Malika]

Thanks you all for your support special thanks to phasmid certainly I am going to take some of youre note with me on Friday.

 

I feel a bit better now and manage to organise a little friend to come to play with H tomorow after school the little boy is in his class and happen to be H T.A son.

 

H T.A is nice and I had a chat with her today after school she explained that the communication specialist is comming tomorrow to the school to give her some training and talk to the SENCO about strategy and targets , however she said she won't be at the meeting on Friday and was not sure if the sp in communication will be there but she will let me know.

 

At least they seem to be more organised this year and the fact that H teacher unlike the one last year has not decided that H is not autistic and is just has to get on with his life is already possitive I suppose . What's worring me is that they keep saying that H is not so badly affected and I am not too sure what do they mean by this??.

 

Thanks again. <'>

 

Malika.

[Malika]

Hi

 

I had my meeting for H review and YES they have been spot on even the SENCO has decided to make a huge effort.

Actualy she mentions that she had a meeting with the LEA specialist in communication disorder.

 

Mainly the outcome was that 5 targets are too many and three is best practice.

 

The first target was maintain "to follow instruction to the class or group with a modification -with prompting when necessary- They said that H now do not seems to have too much pb with instructions just finding it difficult because he is so distractable.

 

The second about disruptive behaviour was removed as the teacher said H was not too much of a pb his unvoluntary behaviour are ignored and when he is challenging the teacher ask him to leave the class room for 3mn but this only after giving him 3 warnings.

 

The 3rd was removed as not appropriate at this stage.

 

the 4th one was removed and replace by some special math work to be put inplace for him to understand the relation and concept of multiplication and division, as it is an important step to manage bigger multiplication.

 

The last one was left but with the use of a mouse pad under a piece of writing to help H to understand when he is putting to much pressure he will be encourage as well to stop writing when his hand hurt and do a bit of finger strech.

 

We discuss as well that h may have mild Tourette and they waiting from a feed back when finaly I will have my appointment with the pediatrician.

 

Other wise I did have a look at H book specialy literacy and can see that he has made progress.

 

The gray area remain frienship and the social group with our sportman LL the SENCO did not seem to know that it had hardly taken place during the last 4 weeks but they said that it will be sorted and they may change the days they said that after december they will try again to tackle the frienship pb. By starting some input with friendship group.

 

Overall I found they were much more positive and I knew S.D the communication specialist had been there as I could recognised some of his input.

 

The teacher seems to manage a good balance with H in being understanding and helpful but being firm to help him when he is getting distracted or challenging.

 

Thanks again to all of you for your advices and support. <'> <'>

 

Malika.

[call me jaded]

Well done Malika. It must be a relief to see progress.

Edited November 12, 2005 by call me jaded

[phasmid]

Yaaay!

 

They listened. I'd say they are much better targets - thought through and achievable, and thats the important point, they are achievable. Let's hope that they continue in this vien.

[Malika]

Thanks again soooo much. <'>

 

Malika.