Please help, newly diagnosed ASD

[shellye]

My DD was 9 last Friday. She is currently being educated in the Private sector. We have had a diagnosis of aspergers since July last year. Last term we had a multi team meeting with school and all the professionals. The senco asked the paediatrician for a statement. He laughed and said no way did she come near to needing one. She is high functioning, top groups in all academic areas, plays 2 instruments and swims at county level. The school want us to provide funding to set up extra help for her socially. She struggles to make friends etc and has all the usual concerns that a child with aspergers would have. Her form teacher has said today however that she is doing really well. Has friends amongst the boys. Has learnt to shrug her shoulders at the year group bully (a girl) and has put her own strategies in place to deal with nasty children who don't understand her.

My question is have they a right to ask us to fund some lunchtime sessions with the senco? Surely this is her job. There are no statemented children in the school. I feel like we are fighting every step of the way and instead of focussing on strengths the only issue is always with the weakness's. Surely many children without a diagnosis need help at this age socially? I am happy to take advice from other mumsnetters if this is not the case.
Sorry for long post.

Different private schools have different rules about funding SEN. I work in the private sector but for us they get me free. However, most private schools charge out for help and treat it as if it were similar to a peripatetic music or drama lesson. They should have a policy which makes things clear. However, they need to tread carefully because your daughter now has a recognised disability (do apply for DLA). Under the new Disability Act they have to provide reasonable adjustments within the school's power to accommodate her Disability. Social skills, in my opinion, should fit this remit. I have to say private schools can be a bit behind the times on SEN issues so they might not be aware of this new legislation. Might be worth jenning up a bit.

Thank you Inaflap. We have the meeting tomorrow so will know more. I feel justified in asking what exactly the senco does with her time when there are no children with statements. I agree about the school making adjustments instead of the child making changes. Surely a lunchtime group once a week is enough? We are working very hard outside school to improve things and I have to say they are working.

Well I don't have any children with statements and I am pushed to my limits at the moment. Because in private schools there is often no TA support and LS is given as a one to one then its difficult to group students especially hard I find taking them out of lessons. Quite often the SEnCO may be a teacher who has that additional responsibility plonked on her rather than a specialist. This is quite often te norm within the primary sector. It may be that she just does the paperwork and tey get outside people to run it. Frankley, I would say a half hour a week should be offered as a norm not as an add on especially as it is a diagnosed medical need. We are not talking about 'middle class dyslexia' here. i am saddened that parents pay so much for fees then have to pay again for something that is an essential not an enrichment. Wish you were one of my parents. I'd look after her!

Oh yes. Your daughter needs to be put on their SEN reg at schhol Action Plus and be issued with an IEP.

You will need to start looking early for secondary placement and a good SENCo and pastoral system is going to be key.

Have checked the information Inaflap and it makes for interesting reading. We will be going in there now with the document reading that it is"unlawful for a school to ask for any payment or make any charge for reasonable adjustment" Many thanks.x

Action plus? SEN register at school?

I am also wishing you were her teacher. I have no clue about any of these things and worryingly neither do school. We have had a diagnosis then nothing really apart from the multi team meeting in October. Everything else has been done by us. I even bought the school several books to try and help them understand the condition.

Most schools have a system that mimics the state system so when a child needs a bit more support, perhaps a spelling group or some one to one for a bit but they are coping mostly but without that support would not be making required progress then they should be on the SEN reg at School Action. If they have outside agency involvement and need more specialist input then that would be School Action Plus (in the state system, the school gets money for these pupils to meet their needs). After that then for those with greater barriers to learning who need a higher level of support should get a statement but they are like gold dust and now a child usually has to have at least two difficulties to get one. Their needs have to prove to be a substantial barrier ti learning.

Good luck! Do be warned that private schools can be unsympathetic towards SEN if that SEN starts causing them problems and issues of provision. Given that your daughter does not seem to have behavioral issues I think they won't have these grounds but if she starts lashing out or hpgetting disruptive then watch out. However, times are tough for indie schools and they won't turn away business lightly but if you are a very small school with not many resources it is possible that the money is tight to provide resources. The social skills book is around £38 and then there is the teacher or TA cost.

Thanks ZZZZZ. Meeting today so will know more. Already had assessment by lovely Ed Psych. Needs small amount of input to help with friends. Though seems to be improving all the time without help from school. He mentioned "circle of friends" I presume he would be coming in to work with DD. Her teacher is disagreeing with the head and senco though and saying to me they are just trying to get more money out of us and want to be seen to be doing the right thing but actually nothing will happen. Senco never worked with Natty other than once when she had her taster day for the school. Will copy your questions and ask these, thank you. New head who is clueless about SEN which doesnt help.