Why is there a separate section for special needs in Education?

[depankrispaneven]

Wouldn't it just be simpler to include something referring people to the more active SN section further down the page? And indeed to put that section immediately underneath the Education section?

[CatherineMumsnet]

Hi OP, topics headers usually come about from requests from the boards. We take your point though, does anyone else concur?

[ClutchingPearls]

No. I think it's right Education has a SN topic; that one seems the busiest one. It seems to attract dyslexia and learning difficulties threads; which to me seems the proper place.

Special needs education one seems slower but maybe that's because it (I think) attracts more complex issues surrounding children with educational and other special needs.

Personally I can see a time when I will need both for my 2 DC with SN. DD2 is in mainstream school with some SN 'complications' (once everything has been diagnosed and agreed with) but DS may be in a SN school or in mainstream but with bigger SN issues (PEG tube, Neuro damage and communication issues). If they clump the two together I might be put off posting about DD2.

[nennypops]

I don't think you can have been looking at the main SN thread, Clutching, it's way busier than the one in Education. That's why there's a permanent post in the Education one referring to the SN section for more traffic, and it covers the entire range of SN from mild difficulties to really complex issues.

[VworpVworp]

I think it's necessary- SN would be for parents of children with difficulties of all types, and medical needs etc, SEN is different, and children that are NT can have educational difficulties.

[VworpVworp]

Conversely, some children with SN will never have any educational difficulties.

[morethanpotatoprints]

I agree with VworpVworp.

[RudolphLovesoftplay]

Hi, can anyone help? On I-phone app and want to go back to non-Christmas nn. However, I can't match what I know is the old user name with my usual reem of passwords. There isn't an option I can see for "forgotten password", what do I do?

[RudolphLovesoftplay]

Sorry, meant to start a new thread...ignore

[Ineedmorepatience]

Right at this moment zzzzz I need a like button!

[JaquelineHyde]

I think Vworp vworp is spot on actually.

[VworpVworp]

zzzzzz- I have a child with SN, she has no SEN whatsoever- top of her year in fact. My DH (no SN) has SEN- he has dyslexia and couldn't read until he was 9yo. That is the distinction I'm trying to make. I may have it all wrong, of course!

[VworpVworp]

Well some people consider epilepsy a disability, but my friend with epilepsy does not, I suppose everyone has their own view on it.

[StarlightMcKingsThree]

Lots of children with SEN are top of their years. SEN doesn't mean not academic any more than dyslexia does.

[colditz]

Zzzzzzzzz my son has asthma but he doesn't have special needs. It's just asthma. It's treatable, as is epilepsy in most cases. You can't just decide someone has special needs, and declare that they are wrong to think otherwise.

[StripyPenguin]

Vworp some would say that being top of the year did indicate SEN - it's an educational need and if somebody is very intelligent then they have additional educational needs. SEN isn't just at the lower end of the scale, though many perceive it to be that way.

[colditz]

It's not negative. My older son does have special needs. My younger son does not.

Everyone, everyone on the face of this planet, has slightly different need than everyone else. Ds2 does not have special needs because he self administers his medication when he needs it and it impacts on nobody. It stopped being a special need when he was about four.nSame with me. I don't have special needs because I don't need ANYONE ELSE to do something for me.

Ds1 needs someone else to intervene and support him with some aspects of his life that children his age are expected to be able to cope with alone. That is a special need.