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Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

Original poster

Roll up, roll up, who needs a laugh?

32 replies

loulou77 · 09/02/2011 14:08

Draft statement arrives...I know, I'm lucky to even get one...Part3b contains this gem:

DS will need "the use of a sandtimer to help him understand the concept of waiting in a visual sense to ease his anxiety"

This is one of the two concrete suggestions of the Ed Psych...and it never worked and we do something different now anwyay.

But it's all ok because with a sandtimer and a visual timetable, you can virtually cure autism don'cha know?

OP posts:
bigcar · 09/02/2011 14:26

oh dear. What's the rest of it like, planning a few rewrites?

bettyboop63 · 09/02/2011 14:28

lol 90% of all advice ive ever had (and i am grateful , dont get me wrong) is usually from these so called "professionals" and is always to 1, state the obvious 2, suggest already tried n tested things you have told them dont work for your DC 3, tell you things that (as a parent of two teens) any mum would have already thought of and tried b4 you asked for advice to begin with, they do try lol you cant say thhey are not VERY trying

auntevil · 09/02/2011 14:54

I'm always amazed at how many 'experts' have never had children, and of those that do, how few have ever had any experience of the SN/SEN world. It's no wonder how we sometimes (often?!!) come away feeling totally underwhelmed and misunderstood.

IndigoBell · 09/02/2011 15:18

But...

A sandtimer. In a statement!

Not a frigging IEP.....

A sandtimer Shock

bettyboop63 · 09/02/2011 15:21

yes this is so true auntevil , why are they always either ms or miss or if are married childless , perhaps scared to have children as god forbid they should have a child with sen / disability they of all people know what NOT to expect basically no help or empathy

coff33pot · 09/02/2011 15:37

LOL they tried the sand timer with my ds and he asked what it was for and they told him it was so he knew how long he had to read for or how long till play time or story time etc

The teacher told me it was useless because he just stated "my mum uses a clock its got hands you know and dont you think it is cruel to keep the sand in there instead of with his friends (we live by a beach lol) :o

I take it they think a sand timer is going to solve all then.................Confused

bettyboop63 · 09/02/2011 15:47

I tried this years ago my son just couldnt get it in his head (not the sand lol) that the sand drained in 3 mins, and why are you using that cant you tell the time and mum its for boiling an egg with doh mums are so silly he says im blonde Smileplus it used to then make him anxious and rush everything till he was frantic

Original poster
loulou77 · 09/02/2011 16:39

How well do you think the LA will take it if I ask the statement to specify who will fund the sandtimer...school from allocated budget or the LA from its "additional funding" (unquantified) Wink

OP posts:
Original poster
loulou77 · 09/02/2011 16:43

bigcar...my only question is when do I start citing ex parte E or R v Clarke at them...seriously, it's pages of unenforceable guff...no mention of who will deliver, when, and with what qualifications/training...the sandtimer the only "enforceable" in the document!

I was expecting inadequate...not illegal

OP posts:
bettyboop63 · 09/02/2011 17:08

is someone looking over it with you to put all the changes and adding the quantifying aspects loulou77 ie PP or someone like that

Original poster
loulou77 · 09/02/2011 17:16

bettyboop63...am going to give it a go myself to start with (is that a daft idea?)...I haven't made contact with PP yet

OP posts:
Ineedalife · 09/02/2011 17:21

We have had someone coming out to my setting to advice us about a little boy who may have ASD and the visual timetable is the only thing she has ever recommended to us, literally the only strategy she can come up with Shock.

This for a child who knows our routine and has done for at least 6 monthsHmm.

Original poster
loulou77 · 09/02/2011 17:25

Ineedalife...you might suggest the sandtimer to this professional, and see how long it takes to start entering her repertoire!

OP posts:
Ineedalife · 09/02/2011 17:29

LOL loulou, I might just have to do thatSmile.

pinkorkid · 09/02/2011 18:38

Can we ask mumsnet hq to add a special sandtimer smiley to indicate lea parallel universe thinking?

bigcar · 09/02/2011 18:43

sandtimers will be popping up all over the lea now Grin

definitely have a rewrite yourself, you know what you want! But do get a second opinion, from parent partnership if they are any good or someone like ipsea I think will go through it with you.

Original poster
loulou77 · 09/02/2011 18:50

love the idea of the sandtimer icon!

thanks for the tips bigcar, shall see what PP are like round here

OP posts:
purplepidjin · 09/02/2011 18:58

I have over 5 years experience working with people with SN, mainly ASD, children, teens and adults.

I'm not married (yet )

I am also a regular poster on this board.

I don't think anyones ever been ungrateful for one of my suggestions???

I'll flounce if you like, but I'm wearing a miniskirt and you might get a flash of my pants...

auntevil · 10/02/2011 11:41

Most definitely not intended for you Purple. I honestly said 'how many' - and not all as there have been a few along the way that have imparted some excellent advice - like you. It's just ime - some of the crassest comments have come from several professionals that are known to not have any children. Like the HV who told me to 'just get over it - he's just going to be a little man' re my DS who wasn't feeding as he couldn't swallow!

auntevil · 10/02/2011 11:46

Forgot to ask Purple - how was your romantic weekend away - or is it this weekend?
I'd also be more worried about the gusts of wind around at the moment than a little flounce - hope they're your best ones Grin

coff33pot · 10/02/2011 11:54

The HV i had for my dd was useless. My dd was 2.5 at the time. During an overall health check visit the HV surpassed herself.

She said there was something wrong with my dds walking gait and why hadnt I referred her to the GP............my dd had wellies on!! what toddler doesnt walk funny accross a field with wellies on! Then asked her to undo the top of a bottle to get raisins out to test her ability and said if she did she could eat them.................a PILL bottle!!!!

I was then asked questions like can she wash herself? run a bath?????? oh hell yes I let my dd at 2.5 run a hot bath for herself pleeeeeeeeese!

auntevil · 10/02/2011 12:01

Where's the sandtimer emoticon when you need one Grin

Mists · 10/02/2011 12:13

Keep it in for a laugh then it'll be a statutory sand-timer. In a legal document no less!

purplepidjin · 11/02/2011 22:09

Don't worry, Aunty, I'm used to clueless pro's - they think they know more than me because they read a text book once at uni, while I was too busy getting to know my clients...

Best one was a lad I worked with who loved puzzles, so i suggested we teach him to do sudoku. "Don't be ridiculous" they said " he's dyslexic, it's well beyond his capabilites you'll just damage his self-esteem when he fails"

A few weeks later he comes back from the school holidays. A complete sudoku addict, because he can lose himself in the puzzle and forget his anxieties...

Another one was all into Emo culture. "Could it be that he recognises a fixed set of rules he can follow in order to fit in socially?" I said. "Of course not, he's just a teenager, he's pushing the boundaries".

Six weeks later, new psychologist has settled in, "XXX is identifying with the Emo culture and using it as a way to fit in"

Hmm
intothewest · 11/02/2011 22:16

I bought a timer to help ds with moving on. (one that made a loud noise)-it worked the first time-then ds got hold of it ....after a while I had to say 'one more minute and timer finished'...that worked well....