Bloody cards and key rings

[cornwallia]

The S< who has taken over DS's case has filed targets suggesting the use of prompt cards (e.g. I don't want to play your game) to carry around and a keyring with cards (sad and happy faces) attached and other crap that an intelligent 8 year old Aspie wouldn't be seen dead using.

I mean he literally would not go to school if he had to do all that stuff.

What do you do? I've fought for two years to get this rubbish with a statement.

I can try and work out strategies myself with the S< but I've just had a falling out with the S< dept because of their general fuckwittedness over this, partiality in the SEN appeal process and not actually implementing the statement. Seriously, if this is their level what is the point.

Also, what do you about school who feel obliged to follow these suggestions? I have said they would be actually detrimental to him.

that should be SALT and not S< !

Bloody hell, the SALT has read the book, but doesn't have the t shirt! Those cards work well for some non- verbal or highly anxious children with ASD, has she even met your DS? Just tell the school that they wouldn't be appropriate. They know that you know your DS the best, hopefully.

Corn, other issues aside, have you told her you think it is crap?
What is it you want her to do exactly?
Have you told her that.

I insist that people I work with are honest with me if they think something I recommend is crap (and many are!) There is NO POINT putting something into place that isn't appropriate/people around the child don't feel happy using.

Maybe she has nothing to offer?
Maybe no SALT does?
You don'tr have to take up every 'service' on offer.

Yes, I have told them I think it's crap. He is anxious and misreads social situations and has difficulty communicating with people he doesn't know. But he needs to make connections with adults and be given time to build his relationships with teachers to help him communicate.

He would rather be given alternatives to anxious situations like being allowed to come inside school at playtime than be told to use a card.

He is hating being made to feel 'different'

I'm not sure they have anything else to offer but this is now part of the statement.

I will have to see what the response to my concerns are.

I'd put somethin g on paper regarding why you think it is crap.
Never trust that conversations will be logged and/or recorded accurately.
Paper trail. Always.

Yes, you need to tell them again that he is not comfortable using them and his reasons why, and put it in writing. It's always helpful if you have a few alternative suggestions - is he at a level that he can sit down with you and perhaps help think of things that might make him more comfortable or help him cope better? Then offer up these suggestions in the letter, so they can see that you are not simply dismissing their suggestions out of hand.

I think those cards work best for children like our DS2 who doesn't really care what other children think (or maybe more accurately is not aware of any difference between himself and the other children so it is not an issue) and needs them for his own comfort. Once they become aware and self-conscious, I think that for some it becomes uncomfortable as they feel it sets them apart from the other children.

Thanks. That is really helpful.