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!

I have two things to say;

1. OP YANBU.

2. Thank fuck for home ed!

It seriously made me question if you are who you say you are.
Question away. I would like to point out however, I am the person demonstrating a working knowledge of assessments and diagnoses.

No, I'm in an independent school and inclusion / discrimination laws differ wildly.
If you're in the UK that's complete and utter nonsense.

I hope you attitudes benefit you and your children although I'm fairly sure it never will.
Two Post graduates, two undergrads. Hmm...

At least you’re not in at a state school which means you’ll never come across my bairns."
I had a feeling that might be the case.
I rather suspect those fur knickers are itching, dear...

The best thing to do when you come across school staff like Viva is to nod and smile the same way I'm sure Viva would nod and smile if a multidisciplinary autism diagnostic team came into her office and pointed out where they knew she was going wrong running her school.

My son has Aspergers. I can honestly say that mostly school was hell, and I wouldn't wish what we have been through on anyone. If you get an understanding school/teacher it's such a blessing. You have no idea the difference it makes to your life. If you don't it's unbelievably awful. I wonder if the teachers themselves realise this. I'm not anti teacher, in any way. I know they are only human, and do an incredibly difficult and vital job. But as the parent of a child who desperately needed help and understanding, and rarely got it, I am afraid that what I have said is true.

'I had a feeling that most of you would be in state education'

That is because most of the expertise of SEN is in the State sector. With private school it is a bit more mixed.

One thing is certain large class sizes and the cuts to funding are doing nothing serve either teachers or students.

Yes I did read all your post viv. If it was that easy, there wouldn't be a whole host of neurodevelopmental consultants (who have dedicated their life to this research) in high demand.

A diagnosis makes no difference to their education.

Okay. So flipping this on it's head, if it means nothing, why appear so hell bent on challenging some Children's diagnoses? After all, it makes no difference to their education right?...

My son has Aspergers. I can honestly say that mostly school was hell, and I wouldn't wish what we have been through on anyone

Polkadottyrose been there & got the t-shirt. Shit isn't it?

Yes, it is. Thank you. I appreciate the understanding, but I am sorry that you have to know the truth of it...as I said, I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Queens of the Universe 😂 I think you'll find most of us just want to send their children to school without the worry that their anxiety will make them commit suicide. If that makes us royalty I'm the fucking Ruler of the Universe and I decree equity for children with disabilities. In Bristol that means I immediately close the city centre off for a protest march.

A HFA child who is coping academically but falling apart mentally and socially doesn't get funding

They can but it is difficult and will most likely end up to Tribunal.

Yanbu that some teaching and education staff just don't get it.

However some can be amazing.

My ds has ASD. He sometimes comes across a teacher who may accidentally deal with something incorrectly. I never mis if people make mistakes as I do as a parent.
What I mind is when it's clear a different approach is needed that rather than accept it didn't work and adjust their manner or approach they become defensive and refuse to budge - expecting someone with a disability to understand something they can't.

Ds went to a secondary school that repeatedly announced they had expertise in asd - yet didn't have a clue.
He now goes to one that gets it wrong yet works with me for us to get it right. His keyworker is amazing and does her best for him.

Just checking back into the fray. Nice to see Viva remained consistently arrogant.

I have had a tearful boy due to noisy classmates and unexpected classroom changes today. These things are small but affect him greatly. Mind you yesterday he was all hurt indignation as his French teacher told him off for reading a book during her lesson (book about military strategy in the Crimean war), his logic was that he had finished and checked the set work and reading was not as distracting his classmates who hadn't finished but we're chatting and messing about. He wasn't happy that we sided with teacher on this one! Point being is that understanding the mindset of a boy with autism may help a school teacher understand the effect a few class room changes will have, the impact noisy classmates have and why getting a book out in lessons is logical rather than disrespectful in intent. The diagnosis is important in changing how you interpret behaviour not all about getting extra help and excusing bad behaviour. In Vivas approach the autistic child is placed in the position of having to explain and justify themselves which is exactly what we wanted to avoid when he moved to high school this term. His behaviour can be seen as odd, recalcitrant and belligerent if not seen through the prism of HF ASD, knowing he doesn't need to explain himself, that he can wear his ear defenders and spend all breaks in the library helps reduce anxiety for ds. ,

Thank you for your lovely words Hoof, have a bunch of gladioli for your back pocket

Evenin' All,

We're really glad things are back on track here.

crosses fingers furiously-

I'm a state school teacher and I agree that a lot of ASD children are let down. It's not good. However, I have to say that it's so so hard to have a child with SEN on your class with very little support (sometimes none) and the 'training' I've received has been SHOCKING. A one hour staff briefing session with a power point and some leaflets about common traits with a couple of behaviour management suggestions. None of this translates into the classroom as each child I've come across with ASD has been entirely different... And behalf charts??? They're laughable!!! I'm not saying it's okay for teachers not to support adequately..
It's not. I'd love to have the knowledge and time to support an ASD child as they deserve. I try to read what I can, talk and link with three parents, learn about the individual child and their needs. But it's still not enough in some cases. I hate letting children down... But I really do try my best not to.

My eldest was hfa and very academic and I had to go to tribunal... they gave in on the court steps. Full statement. He then collapsed mentally from 12 Onwards until he was sectioned at 14 for two years.
Am in the same position with ds3. Fighting for ehcp. Academically very bright but struggles mentally.
I am the bloody queen. Sorry hq (suitably chastised face)

zzzzz

Unless there is a retraction of the current cross party policy regarding MAT chains, you are on a hiding to nothing.

Entirely untrained people in the classroom and schools run on shoestring budgets to make sure that those running MATs get more money.

SEND budgets have already been cut, TAs and SEND support staff and support areas are the first to go.

notgivingin789 and wanna, the tribunal is after the EHCP gets refused and you've appealed, yes?
We're starting late out of desperation to get her into a school that won't be a disaster at secondary next year. So frustrating.

The difficulty for this generation is that their teachers are steeped in exclusion because that is how they were raised

A problem that I have is that a classroom needs to be quiet and orderly in order that students may learn. It is hard to concentrate otherwise.

So sometimes the needs or behaviours of an autistic student will clash with the needs of a classroom. It's a hard problem to solve to everyone's satisfaction.

Not in my case Grockel... DS already had a statement (it wasn't refused first time round). But ! His statement was very woolly, unspecific provision and I wanted an independent specialist provision... so appealed the contents, took it to tribunal and that was that.

wannabe Your sound amazing

I applied and was turned down three times before we got his statement was it was then. I then instructed a specialist solicitor (we claimed legal aid as my ds actually instructed them) this was some years ago. They gave in at the 11th hour.

I have quite a lot to do with Sen at school. I see ehcp' turned down all the time for a variety of reasons e.g. Was home schooled pre secondary school, not enough evidence, late evidence put in my Camhs, school deemed not doing enough.

Ed pych etc are keen for ds3 to have echp but the things they deem as 'things school should be doing' infuriate me. They are so impractical for mainstream e.g. Must be taught in small groups and noise must be kept to a minimum (he has extreme anxiety which has led to him removing all of his nails) it all points to asd specialist school but once again it's down to money.....
What upset me the most is that they wrote 'must be prepared for mothers death' as I have a serious illness.
Anyhow :)

@notgivingin789 we all do our best. And I try to help all the children in my care whether they are my sons or the troubled teens I teach. Never a dull day :)