... or are there a lot of unpleasant threads about SEN in this section recently?

[sc13]

The one about ADHD not existing; the one about people with Asperger's getting lighter prison sentences; and more!
As the mother of a DS with autism, I am used to the hostility and the 'surely he's just being naughty' stuff, but this IS getting tedious.
Can we have more stuff about the elections, immigration, people on welfare, mothers not breastfeeding, mothers going to work, mothers NOT going to work - some different incendiary stuff please?
Or was there a massive anti-SEN backlash in the 'normal' world of parenting while I wasn't looking?

Not sure why mothers who dont breastfeed should cop it, but otherwise, YANBU

YANBU. For a parenting forum there are a lot of anti-SEN people here. :(

"Can we have more stuff about the elections, immigration, people on welfare, mothers not breastfeeding, mothers going to work, mothers NOT going to work - some different incendiary stuff please?"

Erm, MN is full to bursting with those things. And leave formula feeders out of it fgs, why should they be a target?

Forgot to say YANBU, there does seem a load of bollocks being posted at the moment.

I think the formula feeding was meant as an example of another 'popular' let's have an argument for the sake of it issue not a serious suggestion that they are to be criticised.

There will always be a backlash where people are perceived to be taking the piss - immigration, ADHD/SEN, benefits, there is a common theme. I have a family member who is severely handicapped due to Autism, to the extent where he is confined to a residential unit and is non-verbal (at age 25). But people pushing for low spectrum diagnoses when they may not necessarily qualify is diluting the issue and there is a whiff of scepticism creeping in - cant say I blame people.

As an aside I bet you are happy to jump on certain bandwagons, your OP indicates this. Not nice when the shoe is on the other foot?

Has it occurred to you that while the SN threads upset you some of the other ideas you have suggested are going to upset others?

People post all sorts of shit and get their arses handed to them when they deserve it.

YANBU about the nasty SEN posts but there is a lot of stuff that you mentioned thats going to get you a flaming

I think the OPs examples above were all things which provoke fierce debate on MNm, traditionally - she wasn't expressing her own opinion one way or the other. 'Twas meant light heartedly.

There is no light hearted on AIBU, everything is a personal attack - ALWAYS.

I am a full-time working, immigrant, formula-feeder mother.
Perhaps there should be a sarcasm-emotion smiley?

I got it sc13, but them I'm a sarky-pants myself (and have possibly spent far too much time on AIBU)

MN should just get rid of AIBU. It was a crap idea. Some posters seem to think it gives them free range to be as offensive and obnoxious as possible.

Look, don't flame me, I worked with SEN children for 7 or so years, but I hear quite a few jokes now that weren't around before eg.
"I've got MLD."

"what's that then?"

"Mattress Leaving Disorder."

etc

So I don't think general tolerance or sympathy is increasing at all.

I agree with you sc13.
Hang on a little bit longer, schools go back next week and there'll be a whole new lot of posts about wicked/lazy/stupid/hostile teachers, healthy packed lunches, over-intervention by the state and demands about reading books and levels.
And the interminable witterings about friendships and playground politics.
Have you picked out your School Run Outfits yet?

troublewithtalk - so sorry you had this experience. What a nasty nasty woman. And it's not petty to behave that way to anyone, not least a disabled child

(Can I ask what "stimming" is?)

Stimming is repetitive behaviour that most children with ASD engage in, often when they are tired and/or anxious, because it relaxes and reassures them. It can be physical, like spinning, flapping their hands, jumping on a trampoline, or verbal, like shrieking, humming, or repeating words.

Jamie - "stimming" is short for self-stimulatory behaviour. It can be anyhting which a child repeatedly engages in - running in circles, spinning, saying various phrases

eg dd1, currently when waiting in a queue for something like the London Eye, would be saying "It's on the table. It's on the TABLE! Its on the table" over and over (no idea why - not a clue what is on which table )

she also licks her fingers at the moment - will put one finger in her mouth, scoop out spit (lovely!) and rub it on the palm of her other hand. totally delightful behaviour , but something she needs to do at the moment (think it is related to wobbly tooth)

thanks all.