Why is there a separate section for special needs in Education?

[depankrispaneven]

Wouldn't it just be simpler to include something referring people to the more active SN section further down the page? And indeed to put that section immediately underneath the Education section?

zzzz He doesn't consider epilepsy a disability because his is controlled by medication, and is life is unimpaired by his condition (cf. colditz's experience)

polter I do think my view is similar to how you defined it- SEN is an additional need that impacts upon a child's learning.

I may point out Starlight and stripy that being top of the year may be a SEN in some schools, but it is not in DD's- she attends a highly selective academic school, and she is pushed, and stretched all the time, it is expected of their pupils.

I have never posted on SEN board (I think, but maybe for DS) but I have been lured to SN boards on occasion, primarily when moose, HJ and Hothead are on there (goldmandra, marne, and ?rockinhippy have also helped enormously), and I have received excellent advice, been warmly welcomed in the main, and empathised with- support I very badly needed at the time. There are some abrasive posters... but there are all over the internet MN, and I'm a big girl, and can stand up for myself mostly. I do realise that MNSN is a safe place, where people who are going through the same kinds of issues (and we are talking issues that are life-changing, and have serious long-term consequences usually) and posters will need at times places to vent, and to howl, rage, rail against the system, and grieve or mourn what might-have-been too. I don't think anything really prepares you for having a child with SNs, the more limited choices for that child, the lack of support for parents in that situation- I am very grateful that MNSN exists, whether it is imperfect or not.

It took 5 years to get my DS a diagnosis, and in that time, often the ONLY place I could get ideas for how to help him was MNSN.

The board can seem a bit ASD heavy at times, but other issues are definitely covered. The sheer range of approaches and people willing to explain them is wider than I've found elsewhere.

Most teachers only do a 2000 word essay and one afternoon's lecture on ALL SN's as part of their PGCE. It's not enough by a long chalk, in recent years training opportunities for school staff have also been severely curtailed so I don't blame schools for not always having the knowledge.

Parents often try MN as a last resort or when they are feeling really stressed out and worried so I'd like to see us all address this concern that some posters on this thread have expressed. I am worried about the allegations of bullying, group think etc and feel it would be really helpful to see some links to specific threads.

vworpvworp I don't want to speak for stripy or star, but I really don't think they meant their comments as you've interpreted them.

Star said:
"Lots of children with SEN are top of their years. SEN doesn't mean not academic any more than dyslexia does."

She isn't saying 'Top of year=SEN' she's just saying that there are children who have SEN, who also happen to be top of their year.

For instance, some children with Autism can have quite a low functioning profile in terms of every day life, but have splinter skills such as mathematics, where they are exceptionally able. So they can be top of the class for maths, but bottom of the class for many other subjects.

Epilepsy is recognised as a disability, legally.

I'm sorry but I feel I have been flamed by some sn posters and if I find the Fred I will link. However unfortunately half of the convo would be gone as Mnhq deleted posts. I was not the first to be deleted but my retaliation to what was said to me was. What I retaliated to was deleted before mine. Anyway it has put me off posting or asking for help. I do however get the odd inbox asking how it's going so I done an update a few month back. I wanted to post an update again but felt hesitant. Though I eventually done it. The response shows me I still don't belong and only few are interested. I know I'm not the only sn poster to feel like this and they don't post at all now, anywhere on man, though some still defend Aibu. I do lurk and try to find info rather than ask.

For me the sn chat and sn children are confusing. What is missing is the age old argument of post 16/18. Hence why a lot felt unwelcome and left. They were posting on sn children and being told they are not children but had no where to post. I am now at that stage with 3 of my lot, 2 have been expelled from sn college.

Anyway I don't want my post to turn into a big argument, just wanted to post how I feel about the board from my experience. And although I will say it time and time again and posters don't like this but for me the board went downhill after the riv stuff. I feel people were scared to post, posters were wary of posters, some even strived for domination/hierarchy. When really the place should of remained supportive.

Anyway enough from me. I hope you all make the right decision for yourselves soon.

'They were posting on sn children and being told they are not children'

I have never seen that dev. I HAVE seen a lot of your posts saying that you feel you don't belong however, and I have also seen a LOT of posts trying to find ways to rectify that.

Not children as they are adults iykwim, post 16 or 18, again it would be a trawl through.

They were posting on sn children and being told they are not children but had no where to post

That is certainly not my recollection of the events.

There are some posters who did comment a few times about feeling unwelcome as their children were older. They got told a lot that MNSN as a whole welcomed their posts. And would (as always) try their best to help with any issues, but that (as was being pointed out. repeatedly.) the majority of children were younger (at that time; although there was still considerable experience of various disabilities in teens and young adults).

it was repeated over and over that it was not 'right' to post queries about teens and young adults on the SN:children board (not, I hasten to add, by any poster with a younger child!). and a board for teens and young adults was pushed for.

this board was created, and is still in existence (I believe). it doesn't, however, get much traffic, as those who were vocal about wanting it still declined ot post, and now say they were 'pushed out' of MNSN and made to feel unwelcome for having older children and teens.

I, for one, and completely about it all. but fed up with the accusations of cliqueyness about a section which has historically been welcoming and accepting.

So I might of worded that wrong, I'm not here to argue. Some felt they couldn't stay as there children were technically adults. I'm now off to find the section and tell some of those who left about it. Maybe it happened after they left, I am on about people who were on mn from the beginning, so may not of seen it after leaving.

I didn't accuse anyone or mention cliqueyness

I understand the point that was boing made. I remain confused as to why it had to be made, tbh. I've been here what feels like forever, and can't see that I will be objecting to the title of the main board in a few years time - i'll either need help (highly likely) or not (would be very surprised).

the section was promised (although maybe not setup) before the posters left, I am sure.

My feelings were highlighted as others on this Fred had also said similar and received similar responses. I think only one person took on board what these were saying and wanted to try and help. As most of us have been away over a year I wonder if the board was setup before they left. Still need to find it first lol.

the teens/young adults board has been there since 2009.

it doesn't get much traffic, admittedly, but it is there. one reason why so many on MNSN were against the division was that the boards might become too fragmented, and the opportunity to give help and support lost, through simply not seeing the threads.

Wow, special needs teens and adults is there! I will let them know and then it's up to them what they do. On first glance doesn't look much traffic but I haven't looked properly.

X post

Tbh I have too much to deal with in rl to remember other peoples arguments here but maybe it was the other way round and lack of traffic making them want to post here.

Wasn't there not a sn law section, is that still there? < goes to have a look>

afaik, the SN: legal section is still there. along with a couple of others. The majority of traffic remains in SN: children and SN: chat though, so the other boards are pretty quiet iirc.

Yeah I've just post in legal, I know it doesn't get as much traffic but I'll see if anyone posts. Just didn't want to post back here as it looks as though zzzzz and I have x post.

I am sure beyond sure that this was not what happened. What happened was a small group of posters (2 or 3) consistently telling the posters with younger children that they couldn't possibly post about their older child/young adult in SN because

a) we couldn't possibly help because we hadn't been there.

b) They wanted their own section to discuss teenage/post 16 issues with other parents of post 16s.

c) their teen's issues were private.

several of us started clearly that we were sure we could help, Google, research, etc., only to be told it was not good enough.

The teens board was set up, then there were complaints that there was not enough traffic and it was isolating.

devientenigma, you posted on a thread and I welcomed you back right there. You posted an update and got replies. Why did you feel you don't fit?

I know you did, I just feel uncomfortable, don't want to do or say anything wrong, I walk on eggshells enough at home, without doing it here too and I think because of the way I feel due to what happened to make me feel like this I lost what used to be a lifeline if that makes sense. Now if others feel like me and have post in their own defence which has been on this thread, whether we all now coloured and reading a wrong tone the responses and usual posters who defend the board can make it feel like you are being accused or that the board is cliquey. I don't mind posting this as I felt I lost this place over a year ago and like I said I do feel uncomfortable so won't post many if any of my issues but if I can help others feel they want to start posting again and find support I can try. It's horrible when you lose a lifeline and would hate for anyone else to feel the way I have.

Lol Lougle, is that the 4 replies. It shows who is interested especially when you see names you know posting above or below your thread. All that says to me is they are avoiding you, I don't believe for one minute they didn't see it. Call me paranoid, cynical etc but like I said maybe the board and what happened has coloured me.

We all post threads that get very few replies. It doesn't mean anything. There are lots of new posters who won't even know who you are because you haven't posted since they joined.

Perhaps posters who feel on the fringe need to try and give support to other posters who are struggling. Then they'll feel more involved? The SN board is for getting and giving support.