Fucking Connexions

[asdx2]

First we had the idiot who sat through an hour detailing ds's difficulties, picked up on the fact he could do maths then disregarded all the difficulties didn't pick up on the fact that for half an hour we had discussed ds being mostly non verbal and actively against interaction with most people and especially anyone who he hasn't had a lengthy introduction to. Then was offended when the head of the unit refused him a "chat" with ds.
Today we had a supposed SEN Connexions advisor who has advised ds that he could do distance learning from home and so wouldn't have to leave his room at all.FFS I have spent years exposing ds to the outside world against his wishes.
In one meeting she gives him a route to become totally agoraphobic and consign me to 24/7 care with no respite of school even.Ds is fixated on this now and so will keep on and on about it and getting him to consider sixth form will be even more difficult.

Oh god, I've got all this to come in a few year's time. Poor you and ds!

This really doesn't sound Good Enough. In our city they've got something called 'Transitions' and they do a big person-centred plan-thing which sounds much more practical.

Have you tried posting on sn teenagers? - though I'm sure plenty of people on here will have good advice soon.

Maybe have a think about what what you want and what your son NEEDS from this service...and don't take 'No' for an answer!

I used to work for said service and is now so dumbed down you could have had anyone giving you advice - most don't have any formal careers qualifications these days

Your DS needs to be given all his options and each should be discussed fully with him - with pros and cons of each. Definitely request a second meeting with CA..

Minty the general ignorance has been astounding.Ds has been told that the info the latest one has given him is confidential so doesn't need to be discussed with his parents and teachers and ds can make his decisions with her.He can't get himself dressed and washed independently FFS but apparently he can make choices for his future that will affect not only his but our life as a family. I don't want to care 24/7 seven days a week so I don't think Connexions should be suggesting this as an option without checking with me first.

Can you bluff with connections that any options that don't involve him being outside the house for a good part of the day with need to come with residential placement?

Also wonder why haven't considered a residential placement? sorry just being nosy as ds age 4 has asd and although he is my gorgeous boy i can see by 16 I might be thinking the time would be right for such a move

I don't know why I haven't considered residential. He is a big part of our lives and I mostly enjoy having him about although the lack of sleep drives me mad at times So long as he is at school five days a week then it's doable I suppose.
He is going to need residential care but envisaged that happening in his late teens or early twenties tbh although if Connexions try and offload him on me 24/7 then it is going to be something that happens sooner because I won't last three months. The last six weeks holiday was my limit as far as patience and resilience goes.
I can't understand why we keep getting Connexions workers with no grasp of the difficulties of autism seeing as it's the first thing to consider when discussing ds's future and the latest one is supposed to the SEN advisor

I think the problem is that they work very much on the basis that the young person is central - your needs/concerns would not be seen as important!

Advisers will not necessarily be skilled or experienced in dealing with particular SN or indeed have any training in autism. I was expected to deal with all children with SN in school but had no formal training in anything!

Have you have a Transition Review?

That's coming soon her input was to be put in a report for the review. It's just what I don't need because I sense a battle with the LEA and don't want her "input" to be seized upon as a viable alternative. Might ask head of unit not to invite her

Hope i'm not being cynical but having your ds working from home would be the easiest and cheapest option for connexions (and LEA) to sort out.

Oh I don't doubt that having ds at home would be the best solution for them. It's not going to happen though, I can provide enough professionals to prove that it's the worst possible option for everybody and I will be stating that if ds doesn't get a suitable five day a week placement then they are going to have to provide residential schooling and fight out the costs with social services because I will sign him over to voluntary care (as much as I love him) rather than provide 24/7 care indefinitely.

A friend was recently refused all options other than a placement she didn;t want (that came with a six month stay at home first- her son has severe LD< ASD and is blind) on the basis that she didn;t fir criteria for resi as she was neither seriously ill not facing action for neglect.

I would seriously think that this is financially motivated and absolutely she should not be at the meeting.

Hopefully ds on chemo and dd with moderate to severe autism will add some weight to the fact I can't possibly care for ds 24/7 then.

sorry should have been dh

It should, hopefully.

And tell tehm that the lvel of care you would be able to provide would be approaching neglect unless they are willing to fund direct payments to cover the 6 hours a day he should have been in school so you can get a carer