ASD

[Vanessajen]

Hi I am not sure who to talk to but found this website, so thought I might post in here. Anyway just to give you a bit of back ground, I have twin daughters who have ASD and started mainstream reception class 3 weeks ago. Before they went here they were attending a pre-school that were fantastic with getting my girls 1-1 support, which had been advised by several professional people who are dealing with my girls. The pre-school arranged a transition into the school they are attending but this wasn't as smooth as we were hoping for as the school kept digging their heels in and where not answering calls from the pre-school to arrange this. Finally the pre-school had arranged these visit and they went fairly smoothly.
We then had a CAF meeting with the school and the pre-school and it was agreed (although there wasn't much money there for it) that my girls were going to have 1-1 support from day 1 for the mornings, at lunch but no support in the afternoon. I wasn't happy about this but thought it was better than nothing. Anyway I have now learned that my girls do NOT have 1-1 support but there is an extra TA in the class should they need her.
I am also taking the L.A to tribunal for refusing to assess the girls for statement.
In the report from the school the Head Teacher (only after 2 weeks of seeing my girls) has concluded the girls do NOT need any support nor a statement of needs and in her words have already got a good picture of what they need.
I have also had a meeting with the Deputy Head who informed me that NO child in the school would receive 1-1 support, so my girls wouldn't get this although I had been told they would. I was also told that all the girls I.E.Ps had been lost as well as all the girls previous CAF reports to then be told the next day that in face it was just the last I.E.Ps and the last CAF report they hadn't got and could I call the girls old pre-school and see if they had copies.
I done this and the pre-school said that they would call the Deputy Head and see what he didn't have.
I went to pick up the reports from the pre-school and was informed that the Deputy had said that I didn't listen to anything he said and that I had twisted things and in fact the only thing he didn't have was the last CAF report.
I am so upset and angry that he has made me out to be a liar and not just because of these reports but also about the 1-1 support.
I have looked at the minutes from the last CAF and it does say in it the girls would receive 1-1 support for the mornings and some cover at lunch time.
I am so upset and angry by all of this and I don't know which way to turn.
The school haven't been helpful at all and as this wasn't my first school of choice, I feel they don't want to help me. I was also reminded that the school was not my catchment school.
I am so sorry for the long post but wonder if anyone has any ideas on what I can do or if anyone has been in a similar situation what the outcome was.

[PostBellumBugsy]

I don't have much advice really, and feel sad that I have very little positive to say - but it is a long and grim struggle trying to get statements and additional support for ASD kids, unless they are really disruptive & really behind with their school work.

It also varies from local authority to local authority, depending on how much cash they have available for extra help.

I wish you the very best of luck. Never stop fighting on their behalf, try and keep the teachers & head on side, as if they say your DCs don't need help, then it makes the battle even harder.

[Vanessajen]

Thank you, I will NEVER give up on my girls. Trouble is the Head does not like me and from day one hasn't really wanted the girls in her school. It was only when I said the L.A had put them there that she shut up. I have always been willing to work with the school and hear what they have to say but they continue to move the goal posts all the time. Of course I only want the best for my girls but it would make everyone's life easier if the school was listening to what I was saying. I know my girls better then anyone, so know what they need. Even the professionals in their lives said they need a statement and 1-1 support but again no one seems to be listening to them either. I suppose its just going to be a long bumpy road that we have to travel down. (sad)

[PostBellumBugsy]

Unfortunately, from what I understand CAF can only put in a request for additional services, there is no guarantee they will be delivered.
Do you know who the "lead professional" is within the CAF process for your girls?

[StarlightMcKenzie]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs

Post on the above board and you'll find a whole bunch of people who have been through similar.......

[StarlightMcKenzie]

How much of what people have 'said' is in writing?