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

Wow, special needs teens and adults is there! I will let them know and then it's up to them what they do. On first glance doesn't look much traffic but I haven't looked properly.

the teens/young adults board has been there since 2009.

it doesn't get much traffic, admittedly, but it is there. one reason why so many on MNSN were against the division was that the boards might become too fragmented, and the opportunity to give help and support lost, through simply not seeing the threads.

My feelings were highlighted as others on this Fred had also said similar and received similar responses. I think only one person took on board what these were saying and wanted to try and help. As most of us have been away over a year I wonder if the board was setup before they left. Still need to find it first lol.

I understand the point that was boing made. I remain confused as to why it had to be made, tbh. I've been here what feels like forever, and can't see that I will be objecting to the title of the main board in a few years time - i'll either need help (highly likely) or not (would be very surprised).

the section was promised (although maybe not setup) before the posters left, I am sure.

I didn't accuse anyone or mention cliqueyness

So I might of worded that wrong, I'm not here to argue. Some felt they couldn't stay as there children were technically adults. I'm now off to find the section and tell some of those who left about it. Maybe it happened after they left, I am on about people who were on mn from the beginning, so may not of seen it after leaving.

They were posting on sn children and being told they are not children but had no where to post

That is certainly not my recollection of the events.

There are some posters who did comment a few times about feeling unwelcome as their children were older. They got told a lot that MNSN as a whole welcomed their posts. And would (as always) try their best to help with any issues, but that (as was being pointed out. repeatedly.) the majority of children were younger (at that time; although there was still considerable experience of various disabilities in teens and young adults).

it was repeated over and over that it was not 'right' to post queries about teens and young adults on the SN:children board (not, I hasten to add, by any poster with a younger child!). and a board for teens and young adults was pushed for.

this board was created, and is still in existence (I believe). it doesn't, however, get much traffic, as those who were vocal about wanting it still declined ot post, and now say they were 'pushed out' of MNSN and made to feel unwelcome for having older children and teens.

I, for one, and completely about it all. but fed up with the accusations of cliqueyness about a section which has historically been welcoming and accepting.

Not children as they are adults iykwim, post 16 or 18, again it would be a trawl through.

'They were posting on sn children and being told they are not children'

I have never seen that dev. I HAVE seen a lot of your posts saying that you feel you don't belong however, and I have also seen a LOT of posts trying to find ways to rectify that.

I'm sorry but I feel I have been flamed by some sn posters and if I find the Fred I will link. However unfortunately half of the convo would be gone as Mnhq deleted posts. I was not the first to be deleted but my retaliation to what was said to me was. What I retaliated to was deleted before mine. Anyway it has put me off posting or asking for help. I do however get the odd inbox asking how it's going so I done an update a few month back. I wanted to post an update again but felt hesitant. Though I eventually done it. The response shows me I still don't belong and only few are interested. I know I'm not the only sn poster to feel like this and they don't post at all now, anywhere on man, though some still defend Aibu. I do lurk and try to find info rather than ask.

For me the sn chat and sn children are confusing. What is missing is the age old argument of post 16/18. Hence why a lot felt unwelcome and left. They were posting on sn children and being told they are not children but had no where to post. I am now at that stage with 3 of my lot, 2 have been expelled from sn college.

Anyway I don't want my post to turn into a big argument, just wanted to post how I feel about the board from my experience. And although I will say it time and time again and posters don't like this but for me the board went downhill after the riv stuff. I feel people were scared to post, posters were wary of posters, some even strived for domination/hierarchy. When really the place should of remained supportive.

Anyway enough from me. I hope you all make the right decision for yourselves soon.

Epilepsy is recognised as a disability, legally.

vworpvworp I don't want to speak for stripy or star, but I really don't think they meant their comments as you've interpreted them.

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

She isn't saying 'Top of year=SEN' she's just saying that there are children who have SEN, who also happen to be top of their year.

For instance, some children with Autism can have quite a low functioning profile in terms of every day life, but have splinter skills such as mathematics, where they are exceptionally able. So they can be top of the class for maths, but bottom of the class for many other subjects.

It took 5 years to get my DS a diagnosis, and in that time, often the ONLY place I could get ideas for how to help him was MNSN.

The board can seem a bit ASD heavy at times, but other issues are definitely covered. The sheer range of approaches and people willing to explain them is wider than I've found elsewhere.

Most teachers only do a 2000 word essay and one afternoon's lecture on ALL SN's as part of their PGCE. It's not enough by a long chalk, in recent years training opportunities for school staff have also been severely curtailed so I don't blame schools for not always having the knowledge.

Parents often try MN as a last resort or when they are feeling really stressed out and worried so I'd like to see us all address this concern that some posters on this thread have expressed. I am worried about the allegations of bullying, group think etc and feel it would be really helpful to see some links to specific threads.

zzzz He doesn't consider epilepsy a disability because his is controlled by medication, and is life is unimpaired by his condition (cf. colditz's experience)

polter I do think my view is similar to how you defined it- SEN is an additional need that impacts upon a child's learning.

I may point out Starlight and stripy that being top of the year may be a SEN in some schools, but it is not in DD's- she attends a highly selective academic school, and she is pushed, and stretched all the time, it is expected of their pupils.

I have never posted on SEN board (I think, but maybe for DS) but I have been lured to SN boards on occasion, primarily when moose, HJ and Hothead are on there (goldmandra, marne, and ?rockinhippy have also helped enormously), and I have received excellent advice, been warmly welcomed in the main, and empathised with- support I very badly needed at the time. There are some abrasive posters... but there are all over the internet MN, and I'm a big girl, and can stand up for myself mostly. I do realise that MNSN is a safe place, where people who are going through the same kinds of issues (and we are talking issues that are life-changing, and have serious long-term consequences usually) and posters will need at times places to vent, and to howl, rage, rail against the system, and grieve or mourn what might-have-been too. I don't think anything really prepares you for having a child with SNs, the more limited choices for that child, the lack of support for parents in that situation- I am very grateful that MNSN exists, whether it is imperfect or not.

Gosh, I'm really surprised by people saying they'd be unwelcome in the SN section. I'm an infrequent visitor and only start threads when I have a question (largely because I feel too ill-informed to contribute as I'm so new to all this) but I've had really good advice and support. And no sense whatsoever of 'toeing the party line'.

My DS doesn't have ASD or any of the more 'popular' disabilities either

I love the idea of MNSN agreeing with each other enough to have a 'party line'. We are all individuals and we have different ways of tackling the same thing.

Some do ABA, some hate TEACCH, some like nutritional support, some like therapeutic methods such as Tinsley House, some Home School, some Mainstream, some Special School....as varied as it could be.

On the subject of SEN/SN the legal definition of SEN is:

"Children have special educational needs if they have a learning difficulty
which calls for special educational provision to be made for them.
Children have a learning difficulty if they:
a) have a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of
children of the same age; or
(b) have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making use of
educational facilities of a kind generally provided for children of the same
age in schools within the area of the local education authority
(c) are under compulsory school age and fall within the definition at (a) or (b) above or would so do if special educational provision was not made for
them.
Children must not be regarded as having a learning difficulty solely because
the language or form of language of their home is different from the language in which they will be taught.
Special educational provision means:
(a) for children of two or over, educational provision which is additional to,
or otherwise different from, the educational provision made generally for
children of their age in schools maintained by the LEA, other than special
schools, in the area
(b) for children under two, educational provision of any kind."
SEN Code of Practice pg 6., referring to See Section 312, Education Act 1996.

This is further clarified throughout the code, but basically, diabetes/mild or moderate asthma/other medical conditions - not SEN.

Any disability which hinders or prevents the child making use of educational facilities or causes a learning difficulty - SEN.

I have also been around on MNSN for at least 3 years and have never seen any bullying and have only seen swearing when people are sick to the back teeth of their Dc's needs not being met.

I am stunned at lljkk who doesnt know me or anything about me and yet seems to think she/he knows what I am thinking !!

To whoever it was that thought teachers and sencos were the best people for advice... I have nothing to say bit have a

Blimey, this view of MNSN is not one that I recognise! I don't always agree with the opinions of all posters on MNSN, but there's rarely a slanging match. it's the best resource of information and support I've found and despite having a DS with SN for 14 years, many friends with DC with all sorts of SN in RL, being a 1:1 TA for a DC with SN, being a governor at a special school etc, etc, nowhere have I had more support and understanding.

I used to feel that ABA for Autism was pushed a bit on the board, but now I know more about ABA I realise it's hardly pushed at all.

The issue with SEN in Education has come up before. It's very quiet there as is SN education. SN Children is the busiest board with the most posters and the most advice. I just feel sorry for those who don't access it because they haven't come to terms with thinking that their DC may have SEN/SN or are in denial, or think that their DC's issues aren't 'serious' enough to bother the SN board. We really don't mind. We do not play SN top trumps, and if anyone did, they would be called up on it or, more likely, be given support for what is probably a shitty day (often literally! )

lljkk how do you know you are unwelcome and the people on MNSNs wouldn't like your opinions. Fwiw, I have never seen anyone flamed for their opinion on MNSN, we often have different opinions, but respect our right to differ in both opinion and approach.

As sign and sing said, I feel far more unsafe and unwelcome on the main boards, where people - particularly recently - seem to think it's perfectly fine to voice extremely disablist attitudes and then cry 'professionally offended' when those they are disrespecting object.

I'm not saying the whole of MN is like that, but when I venture outside MNSN I often feel like I'm walking on eggshells, waiting for someone to 'call me' for daring to have a child who might somehow impinge on the fringes of their existence. Never once have I been made to feel unwelcome or like I don't fit or that my opinions are wrong or don't count on the SN boards - it's a place where people can genuinely post and celebrate the milestones that many others simply wouldn't understand eg an 11 year old being dry at night for the first time. There is no consensus of opinion and no common diagnoses - in fact many of the dc on there don't have a diagnosis at all. I can't help thinking something must have happened on there a long time ago (and I've been on there almost 7 years, so it must have been a very long time ago) and those who claim the board is bullying and unwelcoming should come back and give it another chance. There are a handful of longer-term alongside quite a lot of new posters, a wide spectrum of issues and disabilities and masses of different opinions and approaches, but it works - without any nastiness at all.

Starlight
I will and have talked directly with MN they sometimes agree they, sometimes dont.