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Find advice from other parents on our Homeschool forum. You may also find our round up of the best online learning resources useful.

How to satisfy EWO that DS is following NC?

45 replies

StarlightMcKingsThree · 27/12/2013 19:58

And how do a I make sure that he is, that his learning objectives and outcomes are appropriate and effective?

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blueemerald · 28/12/2013 13:16

Hi, do you know your sons's P/NC levels? If he's on NC levels for maths, English and science I would suggest using the APP grids <a class="break-all" href="http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110809101133/nsonline.org.uk/primary/assessment/assessingpupilsprogressapp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here for primary (maths, English and science).

You can highlight up to where the school has assessed him as being and date it. As you work with him towards the next step on the grid and he begins to do new things you can (every half term or so?) highlight progress in another colour and date it. Keep work which shows him using his new skills to cross reference.

I work in a secondary special school (EBD) and do this for my students and they love seeing the "towers" go up! Ofsted (grr) love it too.

StarlightMcKingsThree · 28/12/2013 13:20

Great. Lovely thank you.

He's on P levels though for all but Numeracy and Literacy where he just scrapes the bottom of the NC.

But I can certainly use those scales for that and to figure out where to aim for science.

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JustGettingOnWithIt · 28/12/2013 13:41

I thought he might be very bright with a host of difficulties.

I can't find the things I'd like to point you towards but I found in depth reading Dr Carrie Winstanleys work on multiple dual exeptionality and underachieving very very helpful to us, and a lifeboat.

By the way IME it's usually not that they're unable to learn that which isn't specifically taught, it's that they aren't able to identify what it is they've learnt, or how to categorise it, or recall it as relevant to the subject, and it may not be what everyone else took from it anyway. (Unusual connections are a speciality of high IQ's and different ways of seeing, and may actually be a strength when they stop being assesed as 'wrong'.)

JustGettingOnWithIt · 28/12/2013 13:45

Don't know how useful this is but:
www.education.gov.uk/search/results?q=P+levels

lougle · 28/12/2013 13:47

"By the way IME it's usually not that they're unable to learn that which isn't specifically taught, it's that they aren't able to identify what it is they've learnt, or how to categorise it, or recall it as relevant to the subject, and it may not be what everyone else took from it anyway. (Unusual connections are a speciality of high IQ's and different ways of seeing, and may actually be a strength when they stop being assesed as 'wrong'.)"

Justgettingonwithit, thank you for that...it describes my DD2 quite well...possibly. Very hard to see her appearing to be a low achieving pupil when she has the potential to be very good.

StarlightMcKingsThree · 28/12/2013 13:48

Bleugh, no wonder teachers whinge about the data stuff.

I like data but that lot's just annoying.

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StarlightMcKingsThree · 28/12/2013 13:51

Yes, Just, that is very helpful,

With Ds I would say it was motivation-led. If he doesn't understand the point, or the point to him OF the point, then you'll not engage him enough to learn.

He can teach himself how to build minecraft things well enough, and has taught himself his times tables for fun.

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saintlyjimjams · 28/12/2013 14:18

Marion Blank has quite a lot to say about ASD & motivation starlight - you might find it interesting to talk to her or look her up. Although she is not a fan of ABA (because of issues around motivation).

bochead · 01/01/2014 15:24

I'm currently trying to prove the case for Home ed as opposed to a school. (Have put in formal request to change part 4 of statement) so can see where you are coming from. In my case using Briteschool for years 5 & 6 is doing the job for me at a cost of £100 a month and 6 hours online tuition a week. I'd never have proved DS can work at year 8 level for science in year 5 on my own.

Maths

For proving my point re maths, I used the free online assessment that Mathswhizz offers (make sure you use the UK version!). It gives a maths age for each of the NC topic areas. I then repeated this annually to show progress (or lack of last year!). Being able to show that DS has gone from age 4.5 to age 7.2 in 3 months last term in his weakest area kinda proved a point to the Ed Pysche Wink who was so reassured they put off a home visit (not quite what I intended but hey ho!). this year i've paid for a subscription, but please don't feel obliged to. Just doing the free assessment every 6 months or so will make your point as it's all NC mapped.

We follow the free resources offered by plymouth Uni, I adapt the lesson plans to a more numicon style to meet DS's special needs. This means currently we are a year ahead for graphs and visual stuff and working from the Year 2/3 lesson plans in his weak area. www.cimt.plymouth.ac.uk/
The teaching methodology is based on the Hungarian style, which is far more logical and sensible than the standard ology used in state schools, but it's all pre-mapped fro you against the National Curriculum which takes away a whole heap of stress when trying to satisfy the carrots and cater to a very spikey profile! I really recommend you take a look at it. There are 175 properly planned (you'll have to do your own differention!) for each school year from reception right through to GCSE.

Science

For science following Charlotte Mason (ambleside online) with it's heavy emphasis on nature studies got DS to a level 2a at the end of Year 2. The ONLY subject where his NC score matched his IQ. I'd rec that if your son, is as I think still in Key Stage 1.

Literacy

For literacy I'll freely admit I've had to deviate from the official NC, as DS just has too many ishoos. I will be sticking with headsprout as it's doing what it says on the tin. I don't care how the hell they mark it so long as DS manages to learn to read and write, neither I think do the LA as so many methods were tried and failed by his schools over the years. I think they have the same attitude as I do, so long as I spend a couple of hours a day TRYING to get DS up to speed they'll see it as a result.

This resource I am reliably told maps to year 3 & DS enjoyed doing it. He also got a lot out of it in terms of his ASD ishoos. www.amazon.co.uk/Literature-Pockets-Evan-Moor-Educational-Publishers/dp/1557998744/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388588356&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=literacy+pocket+aesops+fables
It may be worth having a look at the same publisher, as it gives you evidence of structure to your teaching if nothing else.

The Ed Pysche has agreed to formally test for me as DS has so many issues that impact his literacy that it's not even funny. This is the area where both the LA & I have agreed that we'll be flexible & that they don't call it "special needs" for nothing lol!

Whole child stuff (so you don't get accused of offering to narrow a curriculum)

For the arts they mainly expect "exposure" to various art forms. A trip to a gallery plus a drawing, painting or model is enough. Or a child that can tell you about a play he's seen etc. Sports it's the same. If they enjoy art or learning an instrument you are onto a winner!

PSHE is life skills for special needs kids rather than too much sex ed at this age, anything you do to help his social and communications can come under this banner as well. I feed a lot of the social skills & language stuff as evidence for literacy too. All the language for thinking etc fits here and under literacy without any grief.

IT - let your child produce some written work on the computer from time to time and you can tick this box with no fretting. Just show em the typed poem, or picture or whatever.

socialisation

Due to your son's diagnosis - They will expect evidence of socialisation, preferably something that can be independently verified for attendance. Sunday school, scouts, weekly homeschool group, swimming lessons count. Play dates don't with general carrots like the EWO (which is really unfair when dealing with a kid with ASD imho!).

I got this advice from someone who is running an Aba style home programme for her 11 year old fully funded. This is the bit she's seen other parents lose their fight over, & find themselves forced back into SS -the lack of what the LA regard as socialisation. She's a bit of an expert and has advised other parents successfully on how to get funded home programmes so I'm listening to her advice iykwim, as it seems a silly hurdle to fall on. however by now you are well acquainted with LA predjudices. being in a new area this is the bit that's gonna take the longest to get fully resolved as I'm still finding out what's on offer as our kids can't just join in any old activity iykwim.

StarlightMcKingsThree · 01/01/2014 21:31

Blimey Boch, you're good at this. Have you ever thought about becoming a consultant?

saintly, thanks for the recommendation. I'll definately look her up. Most people aren't a fan of ABA, some with very good reasons. That woukdn't put me off at all.

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bochead · 02/01/2014 11:40

Me a consultant - who for the system loathes my guts to the point of outright persecution remember Grin. I'm strictly a headsdown low profile girly nowadays.

What reason do people have against ABA? Sorry to sound thick, but I'm using the principles more and more as time goes on even though we've never done a formal programme. (tbh most home programme providers don't seem to have any interest let alone provision for his age group anyway - it's all focussed on the little uns).

StarlightMcKingsThree · 02/01/2014 12:32

T'aint ABA itself the reasonable people have a problem with, it's the myths surrounding it and the arrogance accompanying it.

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StarlightMcKingsThree · 02/01/2014 12:34

Dunno Boch. Fiona whatshername might be willing to point SEN HE parents your way.

You fancy joining us at HESFES this year? Kids keep asking to go back.

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bochead · 02/01/2014 21:45

Deffo going to the Welsh home ed group.

walesenvironmentalhomeeducationcamp.com/ as it's cheap and fairly local to my current location. (30 mins drive if you wanna hit the Welsh beaches the weekend before or after hint, hint!)

The guitarist from Hawkwind is a Grandad who plays in the evening entertainment band. Which is also part of the appeal.

The HESFES one I'm aiming for, but need to sort out logistics, dog, wtf the fook the ex is up to and other random bits first. How crowded it'll be etc.

The Suffolk one I'm aiming for, but need to sort stuff like can I bring my dog.

blueemerald · 03/01/2014 01:17

Ah ok, you need this beautiful document then.

StarlightMcKingsThree · 03/01/2014 09:53

Thank you blue.

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StarlightMcKingsThree · 03/01/2014 09:55

Boch, you don't 'socialise' a child with ASD simply by sending them to a regular social activity. That's just stupid. Outcomes anyone?

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bochead · 03/01/2014 10:34

I don't even know if I can articulate it correctly as anyone with an ounce of common sense would agree with you re the acquisition of social skills for children with ASD, but we live in a system run by the village idiots.

Star as I see it nowadays there are two "outcomes" required :-

1/ YOUR goal for your child eg the acquisition of a new skill or piece of knowledge. This is YOUR priority, no one else gives a damn.

2/ The system's tickbox to satisfy their warped opinions. In the current political climate I think there are too many bits of deadwood anxious to hang on to their jobs to be objective. Far too many professional experts on ASD around who attended a whole afternoon's awareness course 20 years ago. Parents like us are a major threat to them.

I personally think it's about the carrots need to justify their own continued existence in the face of all objective evidence to the contrary, but after my own families experiences I freely admit to my cynicism.

I'll list our activities for the tick box in case it helps give you some ideas

Community farm - small group activities DS loves practical stuff.
Sunday School - carefully selected Church.
Swimming lessons - again my choice of tutor
Weekly homeschool group meet up. (find one that has other kids with ASD so you can do USEFUL stuff. this is when I dig out my story cubes, get another Mum to map his progress against Moondogs language for thinking targets periodically etc).
Music group.

We'll attend a few council run asd support group activities when I can bothered too.

The above all meet LA tick boxes. If they can say your child social deficits are down to your parenting rather than his medical diagnosis and that he'll be "cured" by whatever crappy school option they choose then they will. It's such a stupid argument I can't be bothered to have it, I'd rather spend the time fighting for the professional OT and SALT input my son needs.

StarlightMcKingsThree · 03/01/2014 13:05

Thanks Boch.

LA puting case to panel next week apparently. God knows what that means. Not entirely sure I care either if I'm honest, though so far contact with them has been positive.

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StarlightMcKingsThree · 13/01/2014 22:14

Well the EWO has told me verbally that they will not approve the withdrawing from ds' Special School.

I'm trying to get the school on board but so far they've been non-committal.

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