School arrrghh!!

[debs40]

Why does school do it? I mean seriously why?

I have a 7 year old with likely ASD - profound sensory problems, some coordination issues, social communication problems. He is bright. He doesn't cause any problems for teachers but in new environments he can really get very stressed.

he took a very long time settling to his Yr 2 class but we were starting to make progress. We have spent the last three months on the Early Bird Plus course with DS's class TA. All went really well, she learnt alot about ASD although it was a constant battle to get suggestions implemented in class.

The TA was also given ten minutes (timed with a clock!) to talk to DS daily and that seemed to really build up his confidence and seemed to make him really settle.

Just when I think we are starting to build bridges and work together for DS, they pull the rug from under my (and obviously DS') again.......how's that for mixed metaphors!

DS tells us today that his class TA is moving after Easter and won't be in the class any more. She is moving to be a 'whole school resource' helping kids with literacy etc.

She has only just this week finished the Early Bird Plus course with us so I haven't a clue what they're playing at. They never warned us, or even told us, and have no transition plan for it so I had to go back into school to talk to the TA and teacher to confirm this.

I don't expect to interfere with school's decisions and I don't expect special treatment but I do expect them to let us know about things that are important. Everyone has acknowleged that DS has really come on since she started working with him.

Honestly, I feel like things are going ok and then they just treat us like shit again

[cornsilk]

Bloody typical.

[blametheparents]

Poor DS, I wonder sometimes at school decisions. It does not seem very fair, but the lack of communication to you is totally not on.

[paisleyleaf]

I wonder if she will still be working with your DS. As, as you say, they've invested in her with the course, and your DS is doing better with her.

[debs40]

She says she is now going to be allowed 15-20 mins a day to work with him but he can really worry when he is around new people. I think just not having her around and knowing she is there to ask if he was worried helped.

I think that the teachers get a bit touchy when I say things like that and I think that is part of the problem

[soapboxqueen]

Does your DS have a statement? In which case you should refer back to your copy to see what was recommended for him e.g. how many hours support were put in place. If they are trying to pull a fast one then get in their and complain.

If not then I'm afraid the school has a limited budget in which to support the whole school. It's not fair, especially for a child who is making progress but it's the system we have at the moment.

[debs40]

No statement, so I do understand the resource question is one for them to resolve and they can apply staff as they see fit.

HOWEVER,I think there is little excuse for not warning us about this or telling us it was about to happen.

[debs40]

Thnaks. We are without diagnosis. Still undergoing OT and although she has confirmed DCD, still no report as she hasn't finished her assessments and the Ed Psych has yet to see DS.

Plus he's doing ok academically and school would not be onside for an application on that basis.

I know that doesn't stop me applying but
I suppose my dilemma is - I know he needs help, I don't know how much, but I kind of have the feeling he would be better served at a different school who might not seem so reactive. Or am I being naive?

Plus, I don't want to put either of my boys through a wretched selective school system which means either the grammar or being bused out of town to a decent school, so it might be a case of moving somewhere else.