Thank you

[Inappropriatelyemployed]

Thanks to all who have offered me support. I wanted you to know with that advert has now gone out for a new full-time TA for DS. TA is no longer working with DS.

I'm working with school to support DS in the meantime. He is a complex chap and I'm in no rush to grab at any passing TA to support him.

It has been a difficult situation as this school doesn't use TAs it uses teachers to teach and so it hasn't been as simple as swapping him and it would be infantile to think the TA could be sacked for being unsuitable. There was no way I was moving my child from a school he likes.

It has all worked out in the end.

Thanks.

Hi ie I've never offered advice because my DD isn't yet at school so I've no relevant experience but I've followed your threads and know the story and have a sense of how much angst you've been through and how hard you've tried to make the unworkable work.

I'm very glad that it's all worked out and that your DS will, in due course, have a TA that you're happy with and that hopefully you'll have had some input into the recruitment of (sorry, bad phrasing but ykwim).

Really wish your DS well for the rest of his time at this school.

Hi, IE. Really hope you get a happy ending with this. X

Well done, IE. May you have a really experienced and thoroughly lovely applicant very soon.

Great to read that there is going to be a new TA for your DS. Fingers crossed for you that the right applicant comes along quickly so you can give yourself a break :)

That's good news. Hoping for a good outcome for you both.

Thanks. Sometimes change can't happen overnight but if you have a school where those who lead it are trying to work with you, keep at it. There are so few schools around like that.

I shan't be returning for the foreseeable future but just wanted to share that positive.

Shame about the £600 bill for ABA which has just landed on my door mat. £100 for preparing the report alone and no programme after two visits. Just a list of areas for more 'data monitoring' - God what a gravy train.

I hope you actually get somewhere IE, sounds expensive.

Glad things are looking positive at school IE and hope you manage to sort the other stuff out.

Dont stay away too long!

Good luck

I'm not pursuing ABA Lougle as I have seen no evidence that the therapist know what to do with a child who can verbalise his difficulties.

Recommendations for more 'data monitoring' seems to me to be code for 'pay me more money'. What a wonderful magic trick. How on earth can people who don't know a child tell why he does something by watching him? It's all in the eye of the beholder and not objective at all. Particularly when you can ask him.

I've seen it be very effective for younger, non-verbal children, but for a 10 year old Aspie, ABA has been a bloody ridiculous waste of money. A con trick.

That's so disappointing, IE.

Annoying isn't it? Being charged for nothing. Yet he, like the other one we tried before, thing they're the best thing since sliced bread. Like ABA rock stars, here to save the day.

I think a bit of humility and a bit more listening wouldn't go a miss. They see what they want to see just like anyone else. I've come to the conclusion that anything decent which comes out of it is not rocket science either - small steps, with rewards and motivation. It's common sense isn't it but with a multi-thousand pond price tag.

So I am tired of the 'ABA can do anything' babble. When you ask any of these 'experts' how you can tackle issues like anxiety in high functioning kids or teaching higher level social skills, they haven't a clue. They might say they do but I see no evidence that any of them can cope.

It seems to me it works well for young, and particularly non-verbal kids as you can spin the reason for the behaviour into anything that suits your standard programme and you apply that. Might be tough at first but you'll get there.

Money for old rope and the new age of the SEN industry.

That's me over and out.