F*cked off with SENCO [angry]

[geekgirl]

Don't know what to do / where to go with this (nowhere I suspect ) but need to let it out.

In July I had dd2 assessed by an indie SALT who specialises in oral-motor issues and works with a programme called 'TalkTools', which is particularly suitable for children with DS. Dd2's speech is v. unclear and there has been no change to that for years, really. I have been quite desperate to get to the bottom of her speech problem and have done everything I can - fight for the right kind of hearing aid etc., and this SALT assessment has finally given me the answer I needed (oral dyspraxia) and ways to help dd2. I had raised my concerns about dd2's oral motor issues with the school SALT on several occasions, with no results. The school SALT is a very unpleasant woman and sees dd2 maybe 4 times a year.

Anyhow... I involved the school in the indie assessment straight away - spoke to the SENCO, explained what TalkTools is, asked if dd2's TA could come along for the assessment (which she did), and made sure school received a copy of the report. Prior to the assessment the indie SALT rang the school SALT (on holiday at the time) and left a message explaining it to her.

A couple of weeks ago the school SALT had a meeting with the SENCO and dd2's TA, where both the SALT and the SENCO apparently went into a big long whinge about how 'they'd been left out of the loop by me completely' and 'don't know what to make of all this' (whilst holding up the report) and generally just offloading in a 'how dare she do this without consulting us' kind of way. Dd2's TA (who is a very good friend of mine) flipped and gave them an earful about how all I do is the best for my child, and how dare they criticise me.

She told me all about it this morning and I've been seething ever since. How exactly could I have involved the SENCO even more? Maybe I should have forwarded the invoice for the assessment onto her?
And how dare they complain about what I do with my child and my money.
(I could go on an on - honestly, I'm almost in tears of anger)

I can't believe those two bitches can turn this into something about their egos, rather than just another attempt by me to get dd2 to the point where she can actually utter a word that can be understood.

The SENCO is a bit of a vindictive cow but I thought she'd mellowed - turns out she told dd2's TA a while ago that it wasn't appropriate for her to be good friends with me - like this is something about 'sides' and being 'partisan' rather than all of us aiming to do the best for dd2 .

Am so but can't take this anywhere because then dd2's TA would be hung out to dry for telling me....

[TotalChaos]

how very annoying. sorry that your school are being so unsupportive. I've found with DS's school, they do feel they know best, and in some cases better than the professionals . Can the TA do the progamme with our DD anyway? As your mate said, you are doing the best for your child, so hold your head high and sod the b8stards.

[geekgirl]

thanks TC, the only thing I've asked the school to do that is part of the programme is to let dd2 use a special drinking straw at lunchtime, everything else I do at home.
But surprise, surprise, the school SALT suddenly came up with a programme for school that actually concentrates on sound formation, rather than 3 word sentences (which always seemed kind of pointless considering dd2 is so hard to understand). I've only been asking for something like that for 3 years...

Still feel like going in there with a brick in my hand.

[vjg13]

geekgirl does your independent SALT have the initials JA?

I think independent reports really scare them. After my daughter's head teacher saw an indie SALT and EP report she said she found them insulting?!! I nearly said 'of course you do 'cos they tell the truth about how crap your staff are'!!

[Romy7]

sorry to hijack - can you link to the straw gg? been looking for a few ideas for mouth stuff...
i do tend to keep 'alternative (lol)' stuff away from nhs staff tbh - it always gets their back up... you have to make them think it's their idea...

[vjg13]

Romy, the uk supplier for talk tools is RE Enterprises smile education and they sell lots of oral motor things and straws.

[Romy7]

thanks vjg

[geekgirl]

woops sorry missed the replies

DON'T by from the UK supplier - they are seriously shit and in the process of being dumped by TalkTools. I had huge problems with them and so does just about everybody else it seems.

The straws we use at the moment can also be bought on ebay Halloweeny ones here for instance or animal ones here - what you do is gradually shorted the bit that goes in the mouth so the child has to grip the straw with their lips.

[Sparkletastic]

Sounds like a real case of mis-placed professional arrogance from the school staff. How are you at 'fake sickly-sweet nice and polite' geekgirl?! If I were you I'd arrange a meeting with the 2 bitchychop women, kick off with something patently fake but impossible to argue with like "I'm sooooooooo worried that I may not have you on board with what's happening with DD as your professional support is absolutely crucial to DD" and then deliver the rest of what you need to say to them through a fixed smile....

[vjg13]

geekgirl, they were late sending out the things I bought and when I complained they gave it me for free!! so I liked them