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Original poster

DS went to school! Ok it's a PRU but he went to school!,

40 replies

starfish71 · 05/09/2012 16:41

Am so proud of DS1. He is 13 and has been out of school since Dec, been having home tutoring since May.

He has Aspergers (undx but dx nearly there), very bad anexity and has barely been outside the door for months.

We have got the statement sorted, not brilliant but it is finalised, he has a place in this small PRU (I know but it is looking promising and there was no other option at this time).

He decided yesterday that he would go in for a full day, his lovely tutor took him and brought him home (issues with going in transport but this will be sorted) and great communication from the staff today!

Ok he didn't eat all day and has come on smiling but shattered, currently fast asleep! BUT he went, he did it!

Am so very proud. Grin

OP posts:
Ineedaflippinmedal · 05/09/2012 16:45

Wow, well done starfish minorGrin

pinkorkid · 05/09/2012 16:49

Hey starfish, so pleased to see this. Big congratulations to you and ds. This is such a big step forward from where he was before. Don't worry about the fact that its a PRU - it may end up being a stepping stone to somewhere else but for now so long as they are providing a supportive setting for ds that's all that matters. Plus it sounds very positive that staff are communicating well from day one. Wine for you tonight!

imogengladhart · 05/09/2012 16:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

StarlightMcKenzie · 05/09/2012 16:54

Yay!

StarlightMcKenzie · 05/09/2012 16:54

Bet you didn't relax all day!?

ArthurPewty · 05/09/2012 16:58

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SheelaNeGig · 05/09/2012 17:00

Oh that is brilliant. Well done both of you.

I'm quaking in fear at the thought of tomorrow. Followed by the next 2 years......

devientenigma · 05/09/2012 17:03

Star thats great Grin

any chance I can pick your brains??

if so how did you get him out?

what recommendations have been put in the statement?

especially regards getting him into school and wanting to come back?

Any other tips that could help us......

Glad the dx is coming on too, the statement should adapt again once the dx is through.

Original poster
starfish71 · 05/09/2012 17:03

Thank you all! Am so happy it's ridiculous!

No star I didn't! Rang them around 11, had a lovely chat with one of his teachers, she said he was happy and he was very polite. :)

Then just before he came home, she rang me and said how his day had been! Wonderful communication, hope it lasts..

Didn't eat or drink anything all day but they are reminding him he can go on his own somewhere quiet if he wants to eat or drink.

DS is still sleeping bless him!

OP posts:
cornzy · 05/09/2012 17:09

Well done star's ds Smile
My ds was out of school for over a year and was home tutored also. It's such a strange feeling when they actually go back isn't it?

Original poster
starfish71 · 05/09/2012 17:11

Hi devient, of course you can, not sure how good my brains are mind you!

It is a very small PRU and only about 14 pupils, they are doing lots of social skills stuff as well as the curriculum but I think the main factor has been DS has had a really good home tutor and she has got him interested in learning again.

It's very hard to say for certain why it has worked today though, could be DS was just ready? Or that he visited a few times before summer and has been thinking about it since?

Or maybe he finally got fed up with his having his old mum with him all day!

If I can think of anything else devient will add later, never thought I would see him back n any sort of education.

OP posts:
Original poster
starfish71 · 05/09/2012 17:12

Leonie, can't believe you haven't the final statement yet! It's taking ages x

OP posts:
Original poster
starfish71 · 05/09/2012 17:14

Cornzy, yes a very odd feeling. Haven't had the house to myself for months, I had to go out, it was too quiet!

OP posts:
devientenigma · 05/09/2012 17:15

yeah I think we have just hit on a good home tutor, so maybe......

the last one was with us for over a year and DS has been out of school for over 2 year. The reassessment of his statement was crap and between me and the home tutor we are rewriting it.

The home tutor doesn't see any educational setting working for DS.

devientenigma · 05/09/2012 17:17

I would love a break but think it would become something strange also, if we ever get him back.

Original poster
starfish71 · 05/09/2012 17:21

Is there are chance they could do some of the tutoring in a different setting? Just to give both of you a change of scene. Know it may not be possible or require a long process to get your DS comfortable with another setting x

OP posts:
cornzy · 05/09/2012 17:23

I think in my ds's case he was ready to go back. He absolutely hated the home tuition, although his tutor tried her best . Tutor dreaded it as much as ds did I think!

WetAugust · 05/09/2012 17:24

Great news Starfish

devientenigma · 05/09/2012 17:28

there's only 3 places DS will go: home, car or hospital (though he's not compliant there)

she tried getting him to the beach etc during summer, so now she knows how difficult it's going to be to get him anywhere for education. Then the last home tutor knows how difficult he is receiving an education lol

The cardiologist put the home tutor on the spot yesterday and stated he needs a team around him to help him with all thats going on but no one seems to want to...........think they all know how diificult it would be and that the resources and cost would be an inefficient use of time, staff and services.

cornzy · 05/09/2012 17:34

That's interesting about the cardiologist stating that the tutor needs a team around him. I found that the home tuition service was too 'one size fits all' and severely lacking in resources. we were lucky that our tutor had personal knowledge of SN. Most don't I think - like most teachers.

TheLightPassenger · 05/09/2012 17:41

good news re:your DS, I guess the setting being so small must help with noise/stress levels.

pinkorkid · 05/09/2012 17:41

Dev, not a long term solution, but would a stay at a hospital with a hospital school be an option for respite? Perhaps somewhere like the Maudsley Hospital where they work with children with complex diagnoses like your ds.

Original poster
starfish71 · 05/09/2012 17:42

Know it is a very difficult situation for you and your DS devient. But hope maybe with the home tutor on board who knows how complex it all is that LEA can provide extra support, play therapists etc? Especially as he has a statement.

Sorry if I am way off the mark, sure you have done and asked for it all way before now. Just not right that they can say they can't see any education setting working. :(

OP posts:
devientenigma · 05/09/2012 17:43

Our 2 tutors have had SN experiences and friends with kids with SN. The one we have now was hand picked and drafted in, she's not from the medical side of the home tuition service, she is employed by the LA on top of his placement at the SS where he should be iyswim. The cardiologist has been on about his behaviour for years and always talks about it in his letters. The last 2 years letters he has stated the need for an official autism diagnosis. This year he went down the tutors neck about it all and said DS was severe autism why won't people help and she agrees.

devientenigma · 05/09/2012 17:46

It's a good idea Pink, will see if I can look at that hospital online. The GP is acquiring the funding for him to go to the Elizabeth Newson centre, we are clutching at straws to help him. He seems to have everyone beat.