Parents would you be happy with this?

[SaliMali1]

Hi all just wanted some advice really, I am a 1-1 in playgroup with a child who has Ds. He is great and has really come on ie when he came he would not do craft for more than 30 seconds(that was with prompting) now 2 terms later he will sit for about 10 minuets and do craft.

Role on September and he started in the assessment unit for children with SEN. Well it sounds a HORRIFIC place for children and i wondered how normal this is?

1. After is first ever session the home school book was 5 pages long filled with all negatives ie X wouldn't do this he wouldnt do that, he did not try this etc etc.
2. Apparently they made him sit for each thing wether craft, etc even if he did not want to at that time.

3 He was made to sit(and held there) during all snack times 3 in total and was not allowed to leave until all had finished. He has problems with food as it is but will sit for me and lick kiss all foods for about 10 mins.

To me this sounds harsh

I can see the point of highlighting the negatives if he is there for assessment purposes. They are mean't to be finding out what he struggles with in order to work out what support he needs. However it wouldn't hurt to put some positives in for the sake of his parents.

There could be a point to making him participate in particular activities but I can't honestly say what that would be.

I don't like the idea of forcing him to sit and eat. That sounds just plain wrong. They could cause him to have more issues about food by doing that.

I would have to contact them and ask them to explain the reasons behind their actions.

Yes but day one ?

I know the good and that there is good and bad in each session but I will keep them or log them as an assesment. I don't tell his Mum all the negatives and I always always start with a few positives.

I am planning to see the Unit.

They also watch TV which I think is bad

You're right SaliMali I can't think of how watching tv would help.

As a parent I would rather see positives about my child but as a parent of an SN child I know that highlighting positives can sometimes give professionals excuses for overlooking the negatives and that can mean less support.

I can't find any justification for most of what you describe though. My gut feeling is that this little boy is lucky to still be working with you too.

It sounds awful :-(

How old is he? NT ds3 (aged 5) has just finished reception and didn't do that much sitting because of the new early years curriculum.

I would hope that they're concentrating on the negatives for long enough to find out what his needs are. I'd become despondent pretty quickly if my child came home with a report like that day in day out, though.

And we have a hard enough job making DS2 sit for food that he likes eating. He turns to wriggly spaghetti the moment you try to make him sit for anything he's not interested in and gets very distressed.

He is only 3 !! He has made great stides with us after a rocky start(crying for a few weeks) he is settled, happy and joins in with most things.

I look at the negatives and the things he is struggling with then we as a playgroup we put in things to try and encorage the skill.

I feel so sorry for him

This reminds me of when a researcher came round to film ds NOT engaging in a teddies' tea party.

I wanted to scream, 'Come and see him in the park - making eye contact! prompting for more swings!' I didn't though (bloody well would now...) We just forgot to be in, having too much fun down the park.

Maybe assessments, like DLA forms, have to be negative, but perhaps you could find some support to help you build on all the fantastic stuff that happened in playgroup?

I hope so, for your sake too.

I think you may be missing the point of the assessment centre.

ASD and assessment is difficult. ASD kids like to have their own agenda. Assessment isn't usually on it...

The assessment centre have to highlight potential areas for development. It doesn't make pleasant reading (or viewing) - sadly.

It's also in the child's interest (and theirs!) to paint a poor picture of his abilities because:

1. they can justify their existence
2. he can get more help.

If they said 'oh well, he's a bit of a quirky fidget' they would be doing him and his family a disservice.

Undoubtedly he's made progress but his profile is still not that of an NT kid.

He is a child with Downs Syndrome not ASD he is happy with us he does 90% of what we do, somethings I push ie when he picks something up and then it is thrown I will make him pick them up. I do make him stay sitting for some things like registation but I just don't agree with the its a meens to an end approach.

I also don't agree with telling his Mum and Dad all the he did not do this that or the other as they are great but anybody who has talked to them for more than 30 seconds knows that they are very anxious about things.

I honestly don't agree that a negative report is needed for getting what you need. Yes it needs to highlight what a child can't do - but it can do it in a way that isn't going to send parents to the nearest bridge.

DS1's first annual review in mainstream was like that. They made him sound like an animal. It was page after page - it was awful.

2 terms later he had his first annual review in special school. It was completely different - fabulous little report.

Both showed his difficulties clearly and highlighted them. One was just done in a respectful way.

I know it sounds like I am being a bit protective because I like this child very much and I have worked hard in settling him and getting him into a good routine with us.

Yes I will arange to go and see the unit, but there are sighns he was unhappy ie he runs in usually, he clung to his mums leg and I prised him off her, he was fine in session but cung to me a bit and often wanted a cuddle and reasurance.

Also while a report should highlight difficulties a home school book really shouldn't. I have been on the receiving end of constant negativity from the home school book and it's very depressing and usually not that helpful.

Thank you all for your advice its so useful MN SN board for help. Will ring the unit and arrange to visit.

OMG UPDATE...

Had the child I support today .. apparently the unit leader said to the child's very upset mum who needs reasurance.

Well X is so immature i can't see how we can help him he can't come here. We give him until half term and then if he does improve he can stay, which is highly unlikely.

His mum was near tears telling me this like.

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