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Original poster

Meeting with the Autistic Advisory Service tomorrow!

36 replies

StartingAfresh · 03/01/2011 23:46

And yes, the adjective was deliberate!

They have told me the purpose of the meeting is to explain to me their role in supporting ds' nursery in meeting his needs and how that does not involve working directly with parents.

They'll tell me that if I want to know what they are doing then I need to ask the school and that the 'liaison with parents on all aspects of education' means that they can submit a report within 2 weeks of each visit that is copied to the parents.

Grrrrrrrr. I've not even prepared for this meeting (although I'll do a bit tomorrow) because it is just same old same old. I could probably do it in my sleep.

The outcome of the meeting will be, without doubt, no outcome for me, but some contrived minutes for them, - again.....

OP posts:
moondog · 03/01/2011 23:49

Arebyou who I think you are?
If so, best of luck.

Original poster
StartingAfresh · 03/01/2011 23:52

After almost 3 weeks at home, a holiday, lots of fun (no ABA incidently although it is embedded in my parenting) ds has again made a huge leap in development.

When I told him this afternoon that tomorrow he was going to school, he started off on a massive stimming thing and saying he didn't want to go.

I wonder why I'm sending him.

Although, to be fair, a holiday at the beach, Christmas food and new toys and presents is probably not comparable with even the best school........

I've loved having him at home.

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Original poster
StartingAfresh · 03/01/2011 23:53

Star - yes.

I don't need luck. I need a bomb for their arses!

Grin thanks though.

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moondog · 03/01/2011 23:55

That;s nice.
Sounds like just what you all needed.#New year, new start and all that.#Naff I know but it really is true.

FWIOW, my kids moaning about going back to school too and I can still hear them scampering about upstairs.
Dh has gone abroad again and tomorrow will be hell getting them up, dressed and out as well as myself to work....

Original poster
StartingAfresh · 03/01/2011 23:55

They have appeared to have conveniently removed their 'leaflet' from their site which states at preschool level it is important to work with parents.

It was on their the day before this meeting was set up.

I can't imagine that it was removed just for me, but could it have been?

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Original poster
StartingAfresh · 03/01/2011 23:57

Aw, you'll all be tired tomorrow. Are they excited to see their friends/teachers again?

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moondog · 03/01/2011 23:57

If they did, it is probably because you rattled them.
Angry parents have far more of an effect than anyone on this forum ever thinks, really they do.

moondog · 04/01/2011 00:00

Well I think so but for all of us it's hard to slip back into a completely different geasr isn't it as Christmas is so different to the normal routine?

I'm actually writing up something for work tomorrow which is a bit of a shock to the system after focussing on completely different stuff (mainly cooking, walking and drinking) for two weeks.

I did have my kids working every day though, even Christmas Day! He he!! They lovei t though so no issue really.

Original poster
StartingAfresh · 04/01/2011 00:03

Yeah, it was what I really needed.

My true new year resolution is to stop being right and start being effective. It doesn't matter that the AAS are useless buggers. Not one jot. I'd love to prove it to them and bang their heads together but that in itself isn't an outcome that will make a difference to ds.

I don't really care what they say tomorrow. Just seeing ds over christmas I think we might head towards getting rid of them asap. Hope that doesn't lose us the statement though.

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moondog · 04/01/2011 00:05

Nigh impossible to 'lose' a statement.Never ever seen it happen and I've seen 100s.

Original poster
StartingAfresh · 04/01/2011 00:07

'Angry parents have far more of an effect than anyone on this forum ever thinks, really they do'

It's funny you say that. I've heard it from a few other sources just recently. That parents have more power than they think they do.

Interestly, whilst looking all over the LA site for the missing leaflet I have come across one for extended schools that are now offering the Earlybird course, with the lead contact the person I HOUNDED in the early days because my LA didn't run them, or offer any early dx parental training. She'd never heard of them at that point.

I also HOUNDED the EP (who agreed to investigate but I never believed that she would).

I just feel that this is going to be a better year somehow Grin

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Original poster
StartingAfresh · 04/01/2011 00:10

Oh sounds like you had a great Christmas too. I don't think I could ever live up to your discipline standards though although dh and I are competing against each other with blimmin charts as suggested by your recommended DM!

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Original poster
StartingAfresh · 04/01/2011 00:10

And, I'm losing already btw!

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moondog · 04/01/2011 02:15

Oh, tell me about your DM efforts!
I'd be really interested.
He's a real one off!

I keep a rigorous record of my own behaviours. It seems hard to begin with but gets much easier. I really feel I have my life under control and do exactly what Iset out to do, to the extent that I didn't have any New Year resolutions to make.

Hoe that doesn't sound pompous, Not meant too.
I used to be the world's laziest slobbiest most disorganised person. I think dealing with what I have done has changed me-for the better.

As my dd tells me Willie Wonka says
'Time is a thing. Don't waste it'

I love that.

pinkorkid · 04/01/2011 09:55

Who is DM? dungeon master, doughnut maker...
curious about anyone who can help you get your life under control.
thanks.

moondog · 04/01/2011 10:39

Dick Malott

He's a wacky behaviour change expert.

Original poster
StartingAfresh · 04/01/2011 10:50

'Dungeon Master'

ROFL

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Original poster
StartingAfresh · 04/01/2011 13:20

Well setting off shortly. Never met the Autistic Head before.

She wrote to me once stating that the evidence of the effectiveness of their provision is that the children meet the targets they are set.

So not much hope............

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moondog · 04/01/2011 13:21

Fingers crossed...

ArthurPewty · 04/01/2011 17:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
StartingAfresh · 04/01/2011 21:38

Well they told me that they aren't obligated to do anything I ask and then agreed to compromise by filling in the 'form/log' thing that all the other services are now doing to file in a central place in the school for all (including parents) to keep track of what each other are doing.

Not sure how it is a compromise as it was the only thing I asked them to do and they agreed (after a term of hounding admittedly).

I think it is the best outcome for them tbh because it is less difficult for me to declare all out war given they are apparently 'trying'.

Course, they did mention that in the parent feedback box I'm not allowed to critcise their work - LOL.

We didn't go into their approach/strategies etc. except to agree that I will be informed on the day and have an opportunity to input via the form.

But I'm wise enough to know that as a parent I can't change their approach, only take them to tribunal for an alternative, which isn't currently possible.

So all in all a better start to the new year.

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moondog · 04/01/2011 21:42

'Course, they did mention that in the parent feedback box I'm not allowed to critcise their work - LOL'

Eh?

Original poster
StartingAfresh · 04/01/2011 21:46

Yeah I know. LOL

But there is more than one way of getting a message across. Thankfully I can be pretty good at that provided they aren't touchy and read things that aren't there.

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Original poster
StartingAfresh · 04/01/2011 21:48

And I only agreed to not criticise their work 'in that box'!!

TBH, I have no desire to spend my valuable time criticising their work. I just want the information and the opportunity to make suggestions as and when it is relevant and let them know when ds has made a break through that I think they should be aware of.

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moondog · 04/01/2011 21:59

But how could they justify this? Hmm