about those on the autistic spectrum in mainstream schools?

[OverbearingHouseSitter]

Basically I've read so many threads recently about those on the autistic spectrum being completely let down by teachers and senior staff in schools.

I mean punishing those on the autistic spectrum in incidents when it is entirely inappropriate, and the lack of understanding of some teachers that you cannot use the same behaviour strategies on some children who require a different approach due to SEN.

And then there are times when punishment should not be given at all, such as when a child who is on the autistic spectrum behaving in a way that the teacher doesn't like, yet the teacher not seeming to realise that this behaviour is part of their SEN!

My mother was a teacher and I realise how hard being a teacher is. She got signed off sick with stress... it's a bloody hard job. But AIBU to think that some teachers and school staff- NOT all- seem to be consistently failing those on the autistic spectrum and those with other SEN, whatever these may be?

This is not just from this forum either! There have been instances from people I know I've heard about and with friends kids.

For example, a friends child was recently punished as he did not understand something the teacher said, ie, it was some form of light sarcasm the teacher used, friends DS with SEN did not register this, did what the teacher told the pupils sarcastically not to do and was then mortified and confused when the teacher punished him.

So AIBU?

I also apologise if I have used an language around people with special needs that you do not like/prefer not to use. My friend prefers the term "on the autistic spectrum" opposed to "autistic child" but if I have said anything wrong please tell me!

you aren't responsible for their education, just their welfare. It really is not the same.

No, it is not. We have our children for life. Their success (including educational success) or lack of it impacts our whole life. It is not just a job or career which can be changed.

Parents aren’t responsible for their child’s education? Since when?

But surely you can't use 'needs coloured overlays' as a reason for a child to be removed from mainstream, from their friends, from their local community, and sent to a specialist school?

I would recommend you buy 3 full sets of overlays and keep them in your room. Place the students who use them right in front of you so it's easier to remember to collect them in.

The kid who can't cope with not winning, needs more experience of not winning, not less. Ideally he would be playing games daily with a TA at lunch, for example, and learning to handle that. Then you could do your thing in class because he will have learned that skill, with TA in hand to give a pep talk or remove him if he gets very upset.

There is a huge clash between government's 'results' agenda and pressure for teachers versus the inclusion agenda, and that is very stressful. But when you take a child out of their community school and put them in a specialist provision this has repercussions in terms of separating them from every child they know, taking them out of their local community so they can't go round to Tom's house after school....etc. it isn't the panacea many see it as.

It appears that some Schools aren't utilizing their SEN funding appropriately nor educating/advising their teaching staff that it is essential that they read the IEPs/Statements and ECHPs of their pupils. 'Budget Cuts' and TA redundancy do not extend to the dc with additional SEN funding.

I think the point is that Miss Smith who teaches English as a result doesn't have the 1 to 1 support that is advised in the IEP and is funded for the child. So she can't actually implement what it says whether she reads it or not. The HT will often take no notice of her if she objects or asks for the TA probably accuse her if being crap/ start competence procedures for 'not being able to cope' so she is in a rather tricky situation. It is for this reason that people are objecting to the blame being awarded to 'teachers'.

I'm totally against segregation btw.

But surely you can't use 'needs coloured overlays' as a reason for a child to be removed from mainstream, from their friends, from their local community, and sent to a specialist school?

Agreed completely but teachers have problems that are much harder to solve than this.

Pondering I actually don't know what the solution is. It's a very very difficult path to navigate and at the moment all students aren't getting the best possible education.

It is for this reason that people are objecting to the blame being awarded to 'teachers'.

All we ask is that teachers do not collude into perpetuating this kind of situation. Be more militant. Every single one of you. Refuse to lie and be part of what, essentially, is the misappropriation of funds.

I had teachers who could not look me in the eye. Ones who claimed paperwork had been 'lost'. Who purposely made a record of my child's difficult behaviour and refused to report accurately on their progress and actual abilities. Refused to elaborate on how much or what kind of support my DC was receiving. In an effort to cling onto funding/obtain more. Funding which clearly was not utilised for my child. Can you believe it, I was actually thankful for the SATs.

Increasingly, you've nailed it. Zzz you are making out that teachers can't be bothered and it's just unfair and it makes me so frustrated. The vast majority (of course there will be exceptions) of teachers want EVERY child to thrive. They are absolutely working to full capacity trying to hit impossible targets for the nt children as well as the children with additional needs. We are held accountable for every child. Every parent rightfully believes that there needs of their child should be met. One person simply cannot meet 100% of the needs 100% of the time. We TRY. We aren't specialists, we don't have expert knowledge. We work with what we have. You might do well with your 5 children... You're at home, nobody is holding you accountable for them and 25 others ticking ridiculous boxes.
I feel and see your frustration at the school situation, I do. I understand the upset at the cold who has been brought to meltdown point by something in the classroom. I also understand the frustration of the parent who's child had been stopped from learning due to the meltdown. We are human, we are on your side but we struggle. Skipton's that look good on paper just don't always translate in the unpredictable classroom environment where 30 different variable experiences walk into the classroom everyday.

Im not meaning to sound arsey or angry in this post I just think the time of the teacher has been massively misjudged..

Of course coloured overlays shouldn't mean that you go to a special school. I am just pointing out that inclusion comes at a cost and that cost is teacher burnout coupled with the huge pressure for results.

What would be better is for the responsibility for the overlay care to be on the student. Then with minimal teacher effort the student can readily access all materials. Unfortunately if an ofsted inspector walks in the only person who gets told off for the lack of overlay is the member of staff.

Obviously this policy wouldn't work for all SEND but the current situation is putting so much pressure on teachers that they leave.

What would be better is for the responsibility for the overlay care to be on the student.

I'm sure...Let all our children, managing their complex additional needs, including organised difficulties, just take responsibility for the teaching resources too....

Oldbirdy why should I have to shell out for overlays?

I probably will to keep my sanity, but I shouldn't have to.

Many typos - sorry

A short digression about people saying 1 to 1s are being used for groups. Sometimes this is a deliberate action to encourage the supported DC to workcooperatively with other DCs.

Organisational. Autocorrect typo.

It appears that some Schools aren't utilizing their SEN funding appropriately nor educating/advising their teaching staff that it is essential that they read the IEPs/Statements and ECHPs of their pupils. 'Budget Cuts' and TA redundancy do not extend to the dc with additional SEN funding.

This wasn't our experience though. We had a senco yell at us that DS was not severe enough to warrant a statement. The funding wasn't even mentioned. I was a new SNs parent then. Had this been said to me now. I'd know that was BS.

Pondering it's a learning resource not a teaching one.

What do you propose I do?

A full set of overlays in every classroom the pupils go in is too expensive and the school won't budget for it. If they move with the child they get trashed. Photocopying takes staff ages.

I understand it's difficult, I know pupils with SEN have huge barriers to learning, but spending most of my lesson time on 6 students isn't fair.

Sometimes this is a deliberate action to encourage the supported DC to workcooperatively with other DCs.

Great. As long as this is noted in all the paperwork. That the child in question's needs, have genuinely progressed, in that they are able to cope with small groups not 1 to 1. That provision maps show less resource had been utilised solely on them. That the individualised funding, saved on this, is utilised, constructively, elsewhere for the child who is entitled to it. If this does not happen the child's needs needs/progress becomes distorted.

All we ask is that teachers do not collude into perpetuating this kind of situation. Be more militant. Every single one of you. Refuse to lie and be part of what, essentially, is the misappropriation of funds.

Just be aware that a lot of schools (I'm sure some have moved into the 21st century and this doesn't apply) are very autocratic institutions. Teachers can very easily get labeled as trouble makers/ put onto competency if they rock the boat.

Pondering it's a learning resource not a teaching one.

What do you propose I do?

Not automatically think children with SENs, maybe significant organisational difficulties, are the best people to take over responsibilities from you, in order to make your job easier. That is laughable. My DC has to carry books and equipments around school, which only allows bags in lockers. Organisation is something we have had to work on - but, my word, they have coped admirably. Adding acetates to the pile, of what needs to be carried around, would seem a step to far.

to all the teachers on this thread thank you for all your hard work in an increasingly impossible environment. please step away from this thread now for your own sanity. xxx

Teachers can very easily get labeled as trouble makers/ put onto competency if they rock the boat.

This is where they need to stick together. Along with the parents.

In my experience primary schools ( in my area anyway) are better a understanding an individual child's needs especially if their needs are greater than other children Secondary schools are not good at this at all here
My friends child has Aspergers. His specialist gave him some techniques to deal with the stress he felt at school and when the child did this at school he got punished and sent to isolation
Parents complained and complained but nothing changed and they changed school in the end but it took several meetings before they were taken seriously at the new school

to all the teachers on this thread thank you for all your hard work in an increasingly impossible environment. please step away from this thread now for your own sanity. xxx

Oh, please..talk about arselickery! I'd expect teachers to be more robust than losing their sanity over a MN thread. With what they cope with, day to day and all. If not, indeed, step away.

What would be better is for the responsibility for the overlay care to be on the student

Eh? DD is in Yr 7. She does have responsibility of her overlay. . It is kept in a seethrough wallet and she carries it with her to all her lessons. If she breaks or damages it, she can go to her keyworkers room where another will be provided for. They have a stock of them for their students which they've 'shelled out' for.

DD got the highest results in her maths SATs and is a well behaved child. This is a simple adjustment for her needs which the school have to meet.

This discussion is reminiscent of the senco who moaned that my DSs paed had dared to ask her to complete an ADHD form that would take them 'ages' (it was two pages).

meh. someone needs to appreciate them before they all quit!