Aspergers/ASD support thread

Flyboy152

kidcat wrote: »

He has an very basic IEP that we have no input into - we requested a meeting each time but school simply send us a copy. It sets out that he needs to read more and practise his spellings basically. School have said that as he didnt have a diagnosis on arrival and as his behaviour is so good there is nothing wrong with him - hes just not particularly clever.

School are difficult as they are considered outstanding by Ofsted and they have very high academic figures which they have got by being ruthless and not allowing any kid that may not achieve the A* to C grades to sit exams. Its therefore in their interest to stall us and keep him out of exams in order to keep their stats up. When I voiced this in a meeting with 40 other parents who were all told that their children were being sidelined and would not sit GCSEs I was told to shut up - and if I didnt like it to take my child elsewhere.
I have since spoke to ex members of staff who have all told me straight that it is school policy to protect their figures at any price. Current staff members who taught my child last year have all said that with appropriate support my son could pass GCSEs but none of them will go on the record or stand up to the management team.

Sorry its so long winded - its been so long we have fought and I feel we have not achieved anything. Its my greatest regret that we placed him there - but we were told that their SENCO was excellent, and that if he needed any extra help they would have it all in place almost immediately - that was three years ago.

This needs to be formally dealt with. You need to make a written complaint to the headteacher. Yes, I know it will be pointless, but you must follow their complaints procedures. When this bears no results, you must then write to the chair of the governors and then to the local Children's Services. List everything taht you have been told and they way you and your son has been treated and what you would like to have as a result. Contact your local Parent Partnership, they will be able to give you advice and support when communicating with the school.

daska

The arsey part of me would write to the Head, copying to the SENCO, SEN Governor and Education Officer to tell them what you have been told and asking for them to arrange an assessment with the Educational Psychologist to confirm whether he is getting the level of support he needs. If you've been there 3 years and it's not working then what have you got to lose? It's unlikely that you would hear the same story from several teachers so it may be that a different school would be better for him.

carerof3

daska wrote: »

The arsey part of me would write to the Head, copying to the SENCO, SEN Governor and Education Officer to tell them what you have been told and asking for them to arrange an assessment with the Educational Psychologist to confirm whether he is getting the level of support he needs. If you've been there 3 years and it's not working then what have you got to lose? It's unlikely that you would hear the same story from several teachers so it may be that a different school would be better for him.

I agree with Daska, copy your letter around. I don't normally comment on school issues, as my sons both went to special schools which are different. My expertise is "fighting the council" - I've done a lot of it - and won! Polite but Persistant is the key - don't take "no" for an answer.

kidcat

Thanks for the advice, am drafting letter carefully at moment.

seven-day-weekend

Hi there, I'm back to this thread after a break just to tell people that my son's girlfriend (both she and son are on the spectrum), has got herself a new job, purely on her own merits. It's still at the nusing home where she was a cleaner,but she has had a transfer to work in the kitchen. She has been helping out in the kitchen on a regular basis and much prefers it to cleaning. She had an interviwe and was given the job. It's the same number of hours as her cleaning job but the hours are better, 8-3 instead of 7-2.

Just to encourage parents of young Aspies!

munchings-n-crunchings

That's lovely news.

It's good her employer is giving her the opportunity to try these roles, and obviously she is proving herself.

I hope your son is still getting along ok at Asda

Regards

Munchie

seven-day-weekend

munchings-n-crunchings wrote: »

That's lovely news.

It's good her employer is giving her the opportunity to try these roles, and obviously she is proving herself.

I hope your son is still getting along ok at Asda

Regards

Munchie

Thanks - he is doing very well at Morrisons!:rotfl:

victory

Can I ask a question please? Is it GP then get refered to CAHMS? Then CAHMS assesment and get to see a AS diagnostic centre where you get the diagnosis? GP is refusing to refer, says nothing to do with him....

Flyboy152

I think you can now self-refer these days. But if you can't in your area, then you need to be referred by either your school, social worker, Ed. Psych., or GP.

covlass

Sorry not money saving but wanted to share this with you mums of these special children.

REASONS YOU SHOULD THINK TWICE BEFORE MESSING WITH AN AUTISM MUM: (I just had to share it) 1. Some of us have given up on social skills and don't care what we say or do.
2. We're not afraid to have A serious "meltdown" of our own.
3. We are tired and all the patience we have is for our kids.
4. We have A far shorter fuse for nonsense as a result of our responsibilities but A FAR thicker skin. 5. We can get you in a hold/lockdown position in less than 3.5 secs.
6.We can shoot you a look that would make a linebacker tremble in his boots.
7.Chances are it's been awhile since we've had a full night of sleep and that will give us a reason to plead insanity.
8. Our tolerance and patience is for our kids who didn't choose to have special needs, not for someone who CHOOSES to behave inappropriately and is ABLE to control their actions.
9. We're probably already on edge and it would be stupid to push us over.
10. We are sleep deprived and already defensive, and we spend all of our patience on our children, doctors, therapists, social workers and teachers, why would we waste an ounce of it on a total stranger?
11. We've had to fight from the moment of our child's birth so by the time you pi** us off we're seasoned battlers and could win a war.
12.We devote our lives to our children and don't need more stress and people who don't understand our life.
13. Wherever there is a cub, there is a mama bear...We're always watching