well sleepy i cant afford to wait too long anyway - problem is that i also work so cant just upstix and camp out at the university.....paper trail is good - especially as the AM has intimated that the reason he wants DS in on campus is to a) make his life easier if it goes tits up and the disability team have all gone home and b) to stop complaints from other NT students parents complaining that their kids are with the aspie and may need to look after him (which they wont btw...he is making huge assumptions on DS ability to look after himself (or not).....
here is the email i sent.....
dear x i am emailing you with regard to an issue that appears to have arisen in my still very much happening quest to secure suitable accommodation for my son x who is due to begin his 3rd year studies at the university in September 2012. I have spoken to the disability team several times last week.
Ds has a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome, Dyspraxia and Dyslexia and will be supported by X when he attends. Ds has completed a 2 year foundation degree at XXX under the umbrella of the university of X. He has one assignment to submit as a resit due to him becoming confused and submitting the wrong assignment for his finals, he has however completed this resit and is to resubmit this on Monday 27th August 2012. He believes he will have the result by 2/9/212, and i have spoken to his current tutor, we anticipate no problems with the resit.
DS is to do a third and final year at the university of X. You may recall a conversation that we had when we attended at the university for DS DSA assessment, in which after having met DS you spoke to us about your thoughts on where he would be best placed accommodation wise for his 3rd year.
Having met and spoken to DS, you concluded that he would be best placed not on campus, but with perhaps more studious quiet 3rd year students who would perhaps not be wanting to have that all important "full first year experience".
DS is perhaps not typical of what his diagnosis suggests, having very good interpersonal skills, he has a part time job (and will continue to do so whilst at university due to it being in computer programming,) he is however quiet, does not drink, lives mostly in his room and does not have much in the way of a social life other than visiting the shop once a day with his friend locally, who also has the diagnosis of AS. He is however quite happy like this, he does have friends.
We have been trying to secure suitable accommodation based on listening to your advice since his visit. Last week, DS had a call to say that he has been given a room in XXX, which was his first choice, however, he has been placed we believe with other 1st year students.
I have phoned the accommodation manager, Mr X, due to this appearing to defeat the object of what we were after - i may be wrong but it does not appear that any thought has been given to DS placement.
Having spoken to Mr X is seemed his primary concern was that he should perhaps be given on campus accommodation so that 'he is not far from his office'......i have explained why this is not a good option for DS, to be met with a reply that suggested that should DS be in need of assistance, that the security team have Mr Xs phone number and not anyone from the Disability team. He has not met DS or seen how able he is. I have explained that DS will be supported by the disability team, but should anything happen and the need arise that DS calls upon anyone, it is most likely that in the first instance it would be me anyway. I am only one hours drive from the university.
He also went on to suggest that when a student with special need is placed with other students without, that he has had concerns raised from parents asking if the implication is that their children are somehow responsible for the student with special need.
I am not sure what this implies, however, i do not feel that in DS individual circumstances that this will be an issue. DS is able, and independent. I do not intend to simply drop him at university for the year and fully appreciate the need for continued support.
I also fully appreciate that he also went on to say that it is not simply a case of finding him a 3rd year space, citing for instance that it would not be right to drop DS into an already established group of bonded rugby players, for example.
DS appears to very much have a grasp of his own needs, and has stated to me that he simply wants to be with other quiet students, he mentioned that overseas students are often quiet and studious.
I am not sure how big an ask this is, but i feel that incorrect placement of DS for this crucial year could make or break his chances of success. I completely understand that there are no guarantees and that it is impossible to vet potential flat mates, nor is this what i am asking for, but surely some consideration of his needs could be made in regard to his placement.
He is an able independent 3rd year student, who due to his AS may require additional support, and a little consideration in regard to his living arrangements. It feels presently that this is not happening.
Simply put, his requirements are to be off campus, but close to campus, and to be placed with students least likely to want to party hard, in a an en suite room.
Is this something that the Disability team could help to convey to the accommodation manager? Your help with resolving these unexpected barriers to DS continuing education would be hugely appreciated.
I have left my contact telephone number as i return to work on Tuesday, but can be contacted on my mobile, on XXX. Due to the nature of my work i cannot always answer immediately, however if a number is left i will call back as soon as possible. We are currently very much "in limbo" and would appreciate some assistance with this. I have attempted to convey this information to Mr X , however i am not sure to what degree of success.
Yours Sincerely
Raging Dull.
i am hoping that at least getting the tone of the disablist and rather dinosaur attitude of the AM in writing may kick them all up the arse a bit....