Think this pretty much sums up the school's attitude to SEN

[CaisleanDraiochta]

Its just something minor in the grand scheme of things but it may just be the final straw for me.

DD's ear defenders have gone missing at school again. According to DD they are 'always lost' when she wants to use them at school. They are the second pair I have provided in 6 months from home as school have never bothered to provide any despite reports from OT, EP, paediatrician an ENT consultant all recommending she have access to them at all times in school.

I can't afford any more pairs and we needed them for the holidays next week so I asked her teacher today for them to come home. As expected she didn't know where they were. She really didn't seem that bothered they were missing, as if it was just a PE sock that was missing.

So I asked if she would react the same way if it was DD's asthma inhaler that was lost. She told me not to be so ridiculous, that it wasn't the same thing at all. But it is, isn't it? If DD is getting overwhelmed by noise, she needs her ear defenders, to prevent her going into meltdown. Exactly the same way if she is wheezing, she needs her inhaler, to prevent an asthma attack.

Its really highlighted the attitude the school have to 'hidden' disabilities. They just don't take them anywhere near as seriously as physical illnesses. i'm made to feel like I'm just a fussing mother and Dd is just a naughty child. I'm so glad we now have a plan to get away from that place!

Sorry, just needed to vent

[moondog]

Are they CLEARLY LABELLED?

[Nennypops]

That does show massive depths of ignorance on the teacher's part. Can you leave her a few printouts about the effects of sensory sensitivity?

[Ineedmorepatience]

I have experienced similar ignorance this week from a LA Ed Psych Who described a child's ear defenders as "Little ear muff things!!" and made out they were a fashion accessory and also talked about a child's diagnosis of SPD as "percieved sensory issues!!"

Some people are not only ignorant but also arrogant enough to think that they know it all and dont need to learn anything else!!

Hope the ear defenders turn up!

[Ineedmorepatience]

Polter I know and it was in the tribunal hearing too!!! Unreal

[tacal]

my ds keeps his ear defenders in his school bag. He takes them out when he needs them and puts them straight back in bag when he no longer needs them. I don't let him leave anything at school.

I get the impression ds' teachers don't think he needs the ear defenders and most of the things I supply. It really worries me, having to leave him in a place where people don't understand his needs.

Are you going to have to buy new ear defenders? I would be really angry about that.

[Jellyandjam]

The DS of a friend of mine had ear defenders which the teacher refused to let him wear as he wouldn't be able to hear what was going on in the classroom. Just the tip of the iceberg for them. He is now homeschooled!

[Ineedmorepatience]

There are some on ebay for £2.50!! With free delivery.

Dont know if they are the decent ones but worth a look. Not that you should have to buy new ones but maybe you could send the cheaper ones to school if they are ok.

[ouryve]

Almost every one who has worked with ds1 acknowledges his sensory issues and tries to understand and even the EP mentioned them fairly sympathetically. All the same there was a solitary line referring to them in the draught statement we received and its tone was sceptical

[CaisleanDraiochta]

Thanks for all the replies, I felt much better after getting it out of my system on here.

Are they CLEARLY LABELLED? The ear defenders or my DD? Yes to both

We do have some other pairs at home as my DS also wears them a lot. DD will only wear the bright pink ones though, both of which have now disappeared at school. I will have to buy some new ones for her as she both hates noise and is strangely attracted to it- think hands over ears at the noise of a hand dryer while simultaneously sticking her head under it cos she loves the feel of air blowing in her face!!!!

I am really loathed to send anymore into school though. I had already decided to home ed from September. DD is adamant that she doesn't want to go back after the holidays though and after the events of this last term, I'm now quite happy to allow that.

[3lovelykids]

Maybe the teacher should try wearing a pair. She obviously doesn't realise how good they are and how much noise they filter out. I think they are amazing! (Special school TA)

[trulymadlydeeplyunlikeable]

Our recent NiL failed to include Ds's diagnosis of SPD and when queried the La's answer was that it was a 'medical rather than educational need'.

[Ineed] 'ignorant but also arrogant' sums up everybody we seem to meet at the moment, especially school.

OT's in SI are fab and it does all make sense when they explain it, it's just the next day when I'm in school trying to explain it to them that they prefer to think of it as fussy mother syndrome.

Hope the ear defenders turn up and glad for you both that you have an 'out' plan.