Not happy re DS1's school.

[TheLadyEvenstar]

I had a meeting Tuesday regarding DS1 who was diagnosed as AS in Febuary.
The school were informed of this as soon as I get the dx. Nothing has been put in place for him regardless of countless meetings, calls, emails and letters from myself to them.

It was agreed at Tuesdays meeting that I would take DS into school today at 9.30 for him to have a statutory assessment with education psychologist as a matter of urgency.

The ED PSYCH, REFUSED to assess him as

"I cannot because there have been no measures put in place for him by the school and it would make them look like they had failed him"

My reply was "but they have and are continuing to do so"

Then she came up with this amazing idea

The second week of September she will have arranged a meeting lasting a maximum of 15 minutes during which time I can explain AS and DS1 to them, how him being AS affects him etc - so basically I can educate the staff who apprently have little or no understanding of SN.

Their main issues with DS is he gets over excited, he fiddles, makes noises sporadically, fidgets and if he is struggling talks to others.

I understand these things can disrupt a lesson but I also think/feel there should have been measures in place to help him.

Anyway I came home and the more I thought about it the more I felt this meeting for september was wrong - why is it my job to educate the staff surely the senco should be doing that.

I then enquired about applying for an independent parent requested statement and was informed I would need to write a letter.

Well thinking it needed to be professionally worded I called my brother who owns a disability claims company and is disabled himself - the result?

He has an appt for me accompanied by him with the head teacher, and has informed them that if he is not entirely happy with the outcome of the meeting then he will be taking out an education tribunal against them and will sue them.


I am pleased I have him on my side as I know he knows what he is talking about and also he will like he has with the previous cases he has taken on the same as this fight for the rights of DS1.

[Claw3]

What did they reply?

[TheLadyEvenstar]

That they would put in place a behaviour management plan and use social stories for him - as of yet nothing has been shown iyswim?

[Claw3]

To be honest with you

1. An education tribunal is usually to appeal a decision made by the LA. So im not sure what your grounds for a tribunal would be. But im no expert.
   

1. Tribunals take a long time, even years.
   

1. If all you want is an IEP at the end of it, is it worth it?
   

1. Would your time or your brothers time and energy be better spent applying for a SA, where you could possibly get a statement at the end of it.
   

If you feel you will be happy and your ds's needs will be met by a behaviour management plan and social stories, reply to their letter asking for a copy of the behaviour management plan and social stories that they agreed to put in place on whatever date.

Do everything in writing. Can you imagine them responding to a request in writing with but "he is so intelligent".

[Claw3]

Its just dawned on me, i think you mean your brother will lodge a disability discrimination claim?

[TheLadyEvenstar]

Not sure tbh but he feels the school have failed ds1. So is taking on dealing with it.

[Claw3]

Sorry it was late, i was confused by the earlier talk of statutory assessment, was trying to make sense of it.

Disability discrimination and 'reasonable adjustments' makes perfect sense.

Good luck, im glad you have the support of your brother

[TheLadyEvenstar]

Morning Claw, I was confused when I read it back tbh.
I know things will be sorted now though!!

[coff33pot]

Put in for a statutory assessment yourself expressing all your concerns, his needs and his diagnosis of AS. You get more clout and more informed of the stages as you applied yourself. They have to let you know their decision to persue within 6 weeks. Statementing can take up to 26 weeks. Dont hang around for this heel dragging school and just go ahead and start the ball rolling mate x

[TheLadyEvenstar]

I have a letter being sent requesting it myself.

I need to do something ASAP as he has been excluded for another 5days.