ASD Forum

Hi all

I have not been around for a while - where has all the time gone!?! I have just caught up on the latest with everyone and thought I would say hello rather that slink off...

Latest with M, we finally have a teacher who is using visual timetables - it has only taken two terms of nagging from me. There was an instant change in his behaviour as soon as it was implemented - I so desperately wanted to say "told you so" '

I took him out of school last week though (much to the heads disgust) as a trip had been arranged to see a BALLET of Alice in Wonderland. I knew that he would not cope with 2.5 hrs of ballet - he has enough comprehension problems without trying to work out what is going on in a Ballet of Alice in Wonderland of all things! Has anyone actually read that story? Lewis Carroll must have been tripping when it was written! Instead my DH took him to London for the day to see the Egypt room at the British Museum. At the end of it he said he had had the best day. The thing that really p'd me off with the head was she said we were wrapping him up in cotton wool - ha! She has no idea.

Also got confirmation that we have won our appeal with the DWP - we were originally only awarded Personal care allowance for DLA, now after appealing they have awarded low rate mobility too. Phew, another thing ticked off at last (for a while anyway).

I am going in to the Junior school on Wednesday to see if I think they can meet M's needs (he transfers in Sept 07). All his friends are going so it is a toughy but I need to know that they are switched on otherwise it will be back to square one again and I don't know if I can face that.

Generally though, considering all his difficulties, he is doing ok at school at the mo - he actually has a good teacher who puts a lot of effort into trying to reach him.

Plus all the fighting for the Statement has been put to good use, my DH and I have been taking on our eldest's secondary school as they have introduced a ridiculous new school uniform (very expensive, very restrictive only available from one shop - part owned by a member of staff's wife!) we complained to the chair of governors and went to appeal on that too. Had our hearing on Friday just gone so are waiting on the outcome of that now too!

I used to be so quiet once :]joker

Sounds as though you've been busy.

How old is M now?

Hope your uniform hearing goes well- if necessary appeal; set up a petition/questionaire asking other parents for their views. Be really nasty and bring it to the attention of the local paper. :]joker

Don't slink off.... I know just how hard it is to come back to a site when you haven't been for a while....

Good Luck with your school visit .... hope you get positive vibes.

Louise

Hi Caroline

You have been busy!

Good luck with the uniform fight - I hope you win

We were all quiet timid parents once but ASD changes you (for the better)!

Hi Caroline I was wondering what you were up to, I guessed it was your hubby in the local paper the other week about the uniform battle, good luck to you, I know my friend has been writing to the NWN complaining about it, the complaints I have seen written in the local paper must help your case? I also saw on the TV last night that school have been given £30m? for repairs so that's some good news.

I hope your meeting with the new junior school goes well, do let us know how you get on

M is now 6 1/2 Louise, nearly a year since all this started with the school trying to get Audit Funding for him.

As for the Uniform complaint - we have been nasty, gone to local paper (as Marie said and has read). Husband has been on Local radio, published husbands email for parents to tell us their views - got over 70 replies (98% not happy) and stood outside school one Friday and handed out fliers to the kids to take home to parents. We tried in vain to get MP interested but he was not having any so went to the opposition who came round to our house and went through our appeal with us. He also wrote to the school. We got the DfES to write to the school which is rare as they do not get involved in individual cases but I think the fact that the school is knowingly ignoring their guidance really T'd them off! Sadly I think the school ignored the letter too {:shaking

If all fails and they do not see sense, especially in light of the recent Office of Fair Trading findings (that uniform policies like this are detrimental to families) we will go to the LEA who are waiting to get their teeth stuck in to it but can't until we have exhausted all avenues with the board of Governors. After that I think there is an Ombudsman that we can go to.

Makes a change from an SEN battle I suppose and it is good to know my storm troopers hat (thanks Louise) can be put to further use.

Will let you know how I get on at Junior school tomorrow, I really want the school to be switched on so that he can stay with his friends but not holding my breath.

Thanks for replies :0 cheers

Hi Caroline, WOW you have been busy.

Cant understand that head teacher being cross about you not letting M go to the Alice Ballet. What would she have preferred M getting very stressed 1/2 way through.

Anyway things do sound like they are going your way for a change.

How did it go Caroline?

Hi there

Sorry not updated - you know how it is!!! Well it did go ok, I asked for the SEN policy and they gave me quite a few others, they reassured me that they do see every child with AS as an individual and recognise that they all present differently. They have had many years of experience with AS children and have two in the school at the moment. One in year 6 who was diagnosed while at the school in an earlier year and has blossomed since. They said they would move mountains to get M what he needs (don't worry I am not so niave as to believe that but I did make a mental note of it and will bring that weapon out should it be required!).

I am worried that their current policy is to only review IEP's once a term - M has his done half termly so I will be challenging that. I am also worried that their strength is not Maths and they do not provide 1:1 Matths sessions - M has four a week at his current school - so again that may be a mountain they have to take a shovel to!

On a positive note though the SENCO is experienced and approachable and most importantly the school I think is flexible - we have had two other children go through it's doors and know how they have handled children with difficulties in their classes.

So all in all we think we will stick with the feeder school as our choice - all M's friends are going there and it will help him to have familiar people around at a time of change like that. And we will just keep on our toes and keep an eagle eye on them.

Hi all

Thankfully I remembered my login details, it's been so long.

Have become autistic myself as I wait on various outcomes, assessments, tribunals, bla bla. Will fill you in when I have something concrete! Still separated and looking to move in the summer. Still looking for a new school, probably mainstream but with better understanding and resources than current one (may have to stick to Hertfordshire).

Hope everyone had a reasonable Christmas and all the very best for the New Year.

Rather than sink any further into depression I have sunk myself into Second Life. Anyone else play? My avatar is Honey Soon, come and say hello!!!!

I still dont know

any hint

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