Lots of answered threads in SN Education

[WetAugust]

I can't bear to see an unanswered thread. I asked MNHQ to move one.

Question: Do we need a separate SN Education section that hardly anyone ever looks at? Should we ask for it to be removed or possible have a sticky or something directing people to SN Children where all the baddies wonderful SN parents lurk?

Zzzzz, I think that some parents when first finding that their child has SEN, might find the prospect of posting on SN one step too far, at that stage. And SEN is different to SN. My DS has both!

However, HelenMumsnet the point is that SN education (more than SEN education) is under used and should be merged with SN children. I think that's obvious and should be called SN children and education.

The SEN education board is also under used. Having it available to see as a separate topic heading in both education and SN is a good idea, but I think it'll still be under used.

Zzzzz, what I mean is that some parents are sensitive when their DC is struggling and I wouldn't want them to miss out on support just because they haven't come to terms with the terminology.

The terminology is tricky I agree.

I think SEN has a focus on 'special' whereas SN appears to focus more on 'disability'. Not MY definitions of either btw, but have picked up a vibe that this is how it is often seen.

It's just words to me, zzzzz. Once upon a time, retarded was the term used, then mentally handicapped. Given time, every word gets negative connotations and gets used at a term of abuse, so we move on to something better. I'm comfortable with special needs at the moment.

Personally I hate any 'Needs' especially in this climate where 'needy' means scrounging.

Good point Star

Why not drop the 'Special Needs' and just go for the blunt 'Disabled Children and Associated Educational Issues'

I wonder if there could be some reference to developmental delay and/or language delay as well as a subheading. As people post for advice who are still unsure about whether their child has SN.

my dd is disabled and has sn
sorry but her needs are totally different to someone with SEN who might have dyslexia for instance.
My son who is nt, was at one time classed as having sen as he had hearing trouble, sorry but a totally different thing

We use the term SN at work to describe staff who may have physical problems that require adaptations i.e. automated doors, large screens, specialist telephony, software packages - but having provided those adaptation the staff member has no difficulty in actually doing the job.

SEN is where the education is tailored / refined / supported etcoetherwise the child could not fully access the cirriculum.

So you could have someone with SN and, as a consequenece, may also have SENs

But you can also have someone who has SNs but no SENs

I think we're getting muddled because Statements - even if they are issued just for physical conditions e.g. wheelchair user are titled Statemnets of Special Educational Needs when the only Educational element of that need is the ability to physically access the school i.e. no additional tailoring of the cirriculum or assistance in accessing the cirriculum is needed beyong those pyhsical adapations.

I think the question is - if the person was not in an educational setting would they still have difficulty? If so they have SNs.

I think a move to make a section more welcoming by merging with a similar and popular section would be a good move.

I know nothing about this subject but I don't like the thought of threads going unanswered.

i ahve been on here for over 6 years and it has always been called Special needs, tbh I don't see the problem with that.
but I do see a problem with the idea (if I have this right) of merging SEN with SN.

if you did that you sould lose posters, you have to go for the quick way for it imo

ok will say it
someone whose child has SEN might feel uncomfortable. posting about their childs problems, on a topic where others are posting about disability.
I would never have posted about my sons hearing trouble on a topic where people are posting about disability.
same as I wouldn't post about my dd who is severely disabled on a topic where people are posting about SEN.
I am sure I am not alone.

why the sn/disabilities' though

I like 2 of Hothead's ideas:

1. Specific needs/ Specific educational needs

2. SN Chat section that is similar to OTBT, no indexing (not appearing on search engines such as Google).

We have evidence that Local Authorities have snooped/stalked the SN Board so no indexing would protect the members.

Don't agree with disappearing after 30 days as the advice is still valid after 30 days.