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Help for a meeting

15 replies

sweetteamum · 05/10/2014 18:18

DS is 11 and his first year of Secondary School.

He is dx'd with PDA/ADHD/Dyslexia

He has a Statement with full time 121, minus the break/dinners.

He hasn't been getting his 121 and is getting into a lot of trouble. He's been removed from class and had detentions. So you could say all is not well.

I'm due to meet with SENco and wondering how I can get across how important his statement is, without getting all "I want this or I'm going to lea" as I don't think that'll do any good.

Any help will be appreciated

OP posts:
manishkmehta · 05/10/2014 19:47

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sweetteamum · 05/10/2014 20:53

Thank you so much. How can I forget the first rule - put everything in writing!

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MeirAiaNeoAlibi · 05/10/2014 21:25

You'll be fine. You know the rules Wink

First rule of goose club- There is no goose club
Second rule- ditto
Third rule- if the school/ LA go limp, the fight is over
Fourth rule - two guys to a fight (ie you v. whoever over-ruled the statement)
Fifth rule- one fight at a time (school now, forget LA till later)
Sixth rule- Nicer shirt, more comfortable shoes (always dress better than the senco)
Seventh rule- fights will go on as long as they have to
Eighth rule- if this is your dc's first term, you have to fight

lougle · 05/10/2014 21:29

Does his statement state that he will have full time 1:1 minus the breaks and lunches, or does it simply state a number of hours' funding that equates to that pattern?

MeirAiaNeoAlibi · 05/10/2014 21:31

The first rule above is actually a subsection of rule 7 Grin

One way to get the senco on the back foot is asking what you as parents can do to help them with their difficulties here. And discussing the problem from the assumption they are complying with every bit of the statement. Wink

Asking whether the 1-1 has been properly briefed, appropriately trained, has the 1-1 consistently made sure all teachers see his student passport at the start of each lesson, how will the 1-1 be supporting him during the detention sessions, what does the 1-1 do with him when he's sent out

MeirAiaNeoAlibi · 05/10/2014 21:33

Wouldn't breaks and lunches be exactly the times when 1-1 is truly essential?

sweetteamum · 05/10/2014 22:07

Lougle, his statements state he gets 25hrs 121

Meir, his 121 apparently supports other children and hasn't been trained. Which in itself is rubbish as it also states his 121 should have experience in all his difficulties (I'm a little off the ball due to family bereavement)

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sweetteamum · 05/10/2014 22:08

Plus, his detention has been without his 121

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sweetteamum · 05/10/2014 22:09

Oh, and he doesn't have a passport either!

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MeirAiaNeoAlibi · 05/10/2014 22:28

No passport is good, cos it means you can write a really useful one page summary and bring laminated copies to the meeting
(Google One Page Profiles for templates and guidance)

Untrained 1-1 is normally bad, but worth meeting him/her before deciding- if the person has common sense, life experience and is a fast learner they might be more help to your ds than a barely trained, ignorant know-it-all

1-1 being shared: again, normally bad... might be worth offering a smidgeon of flexibility here- if your ds needs close support breaks & lunches, temporarily and unofficially sharing a TA in some lessons could seal the deal

sweetteamum · 07/10/2014 20:27

Met with SENco and he's said the following

Ds will miss drama/music one week, then music/pe the next week. This is to enable him to get his homework done in school time - this is a major issue at home. Fingers crossed this will ease things a little.

He is going to do a pen pitcher for all staff - not sure why it hasn't already been done.

He is going to show his 121 some techniques to use when working with ds. Again, why this hasn't already been done.

My concern is he is getting detentions for things he cannot help. It's either his adhd or pda that is stopping him accessing his education. My issues with the detentions are; he is not learning anything from them and has had numerous detentions since starting.

He wants to go on a school trip abroad next year, but dh and I have huge worries about how it would work out. What can I realistically expect the school to put in place to enable him to attend.

His behaviour at home is completely out of control. Daily meltdowns, he attacks us and his language is shocking.

Any help is hugely appreciated.

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Mollyweasley · 07/10/2014 21:37

Flowers, that sounds really tough sweet.Pda with ADHD must be quiet explosive! The only thing I can think of is TLC to all in the family...be kind to yourself.
Have you thought of asking if he would be allowed to do his homework in detention at least it would make them useful. Also could you ask that his detention are in a very quiet room away from noise and stimulation so at least, he gets a quiet break! I really think that our children should not have detention but I see the argument that others need to see that the system is fair to all. So I think the best way is to make the detention useful, if they can't be avoided. Hope things get better soon.

cansu · 07/10/2014 22:08

Tbh unless the school can get his behaviour under control in school, they are unlikely to agree to take him abroad on a school trip. I would honestly focus on getting him settled in school first.

sparrowno1 · 07/10/2014 22:42

What does it say about strategies to use for his PDA on his statement? Are they following that advice when issuing detentions?

If he's getting detention as a consequence of school not sorting out the 121 which is on his statement you have grounds for very serious complaint.

Anxiety is a massive issue for PDA kids and detentions are likely to exacerbate that.

sweetteamum · 08/10/2014 17:23

Tbh I don't agree with the detentions, if I'm honest. Ds should be having 121 full time to stop him getting into situations. This hasn't been put in place. Therefore, in my honest opinion he shouldn't be getting them for their inability to provide what has been said in statement.

Cansu, I completely agree. And I know this will sound ridiculous but I want him to think school have said he shouldn't go as we'd certainly pay for it.

The following is in his provision (as per our advocate);

Full time 121 in every lesson and removal from class with 121 support, when necessary and to support transitions.

Access to (I know) staff trained and experienced in supporting children with his difficties.

Info to be presented visually and verbally and to check ds has understood what is required.

Use of pictures, symbols as well as visual representation of words will help da frame info and make new info easier to process and rember.

Visuals will be structured (simple and linear) so to minimise the need for scanning. Learning will be supported through the use of the key visuals ie mind maps, spider charts, decision trees, memory maps and writing frames.

Info will be concrete rather than abstract.

Presenting info in manageable time periods (ie 10/15 mins then a break)

Multi sensory approach to learning

Tasks to be broke down to support organisation. Staff to clarify what is now then next.

A shared and consistent approach by all those who teach and supervise him and awareness by staff that some of ds behaviours may be linked to intrinsic difficulties rather than deliberate oppositional Behaviour.

Ds will be seated in a low distraction part of the classroom with external distractions reduced wherever possible and have access to plain and quiet working environment

Arrangements to be in place for DS to leave classroom and work in an alternative setting when he finds tasks too challenging.

A posture pack to be provided

Structured approach to literacy, with lots of over learning

High level of practical support to develop phonological awareness and memory

Additional time to complete set tasks

Short sessions to use the PAT literacy programme. 4 times per week

Ds will be encouraged to read texts 3 times. 1 for deciding, 2 for getting the gist of it and 3 for meaning

To develop vocabulary ds will be given a word bank during planning stages and encourage him to use it with independent writing

Given daily auditory memory activities to develop short term memory

To develop handwriting and fine motor skills and have regular access to write from start and/or INSYNC programmes

Alternative methods of recording work, such as use of dictaphone, computer, scribe etc

When given instructions staff will ensure he is sat at table, ready to work and only 1 instruction at a time

A staff to be aware of his difficulties and adapt their language to ensure he is able to access curriculum and more social aspects of high school life

Ds will receive brompting visually and verbally to remain on task

Reduce oral info to small chunks with teaching staff ensuring his attention is focused when giving instructions, and frequently checking understanding of new info

Allow ds to take frequent breaks from working. Eg low level physical activities that do not involve info processing

Allowing extra time to process info

Ensuring ds has grasped explanations and instructions eg ask him to relay before beginning task

Classroom to use multimedia tools and create methods to enhance ds chance of processing, storing, retaining and retrieving info

Desk space will be clear and he will be seated near the front of the class and directed to the board

Small group learning, wherever possible

Staff to capitalise on ds ability and special interests throughout the curriculum. This will build confidence and self esteem

Strategies to promote calm and general well being to help ds anxiety

Regular time to set aside to speak to named adult about areas of concern, difficulty or success.

Supervision in all social situations including unstructured times and support with managing Behaviour

Staff to be aware when ds is looking withdrawn or sheepish he is in fact anxious and to explain anything that has happened

Team work based on communication skills

Staff to be aware how their behaviour impacts on ds

Nurturing approach where ds is aware of the consequences that are linked to the actual issue and the issues (undesired Behaviour) are clearly defined with how to correct the behaviour. Ds will be given time to correct his behaviour and to make a choice

Build up positive and trusting relationships with staff eg ta (available through the day) so that he can openly express opinions, explore feelings and consider useful strategies. Resolving any difficulties in an acceptable manner

Attention will be given to the amount and frequency of homework as the usual amount may raise ds anxiety. And result in behavioural difficulties

SULP packages of support.

For ds to be taught coping strategies for situations where his wishes are frustrated and to be supported to develop his ability to manage negative emotions

Instructions to be given in a non confrontational style

Choices to be given so ds feels in control

Access to assist ds when facing stressful situations

To help ds with his sensory difficulties. Look at key times and try to alleviate stress

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