I'm confused...

[reliantrobin]

I feel like I'm floundering about in a big bowl of custard at the moment. Please help if you can...

My DS (5) started school a few weeks ago. This has not gone well - he is very strongminded and independent and finds it difficult to take turns etc. Reading between the lines, I think he is quite disruptive at times and difficult for the teacher to manage with another 29 children in the class.

So the school have severely limited the time he is in class, so that he can have 1 to 1 support. They were hoping to get "emergency hours" funding but the LEA advisor assessed him last week and said it was unnecessary. Her opinon is that DS is able and strong willed - but she did not think that he has a real communication problem.

The school take a different view. They say that 1 to 1 works and DS needs this - but they have no funding.

So we seem to be caught in a difficult position. DS needs to be in school, but how can we force the school to provide the necessary support if the LEA say he doesn't need it?

Thanks for reading.

RR

Does he have a dx of any special needs?

he shouldn't be getting removed from class to have 1:1 support.

the 1:1 is there to help him intergrate into class.
the school can reapply to the LEA for fnding. if they can demonstrate the fact that your Lo cannot cope in schoolw ithout help he could be statemented, he doesn't necessarily need to have a DX but its obviously a lot harder.

you shuld go back and speak to the SENCO about what they intend to do now. they may be applying for appeal of the LEA's decision

No - I'm wondering whether we should try and have him assessed. It this something the school would normally arrange or is it up to us to approach our GP?

I know that this is probably the way to insanity but I have spent time looking on the net at various DX that may fit....but he doesn't seem to tick the right boxes.

It's all very worrying because the last thing I wanted was a difficult start at school. It makes me sad that he has effectively been excluded since his first day at school

reliantrobin ~ go to your gp and make an appt to see school senco asap.

Good luck

I don't think you can just say "he shouldn't be getting removed from class to have 1:1 support." It depends on the circumstances & on how disruptive he is - they do have 29 other children to think of.
If they are giving him 1:1 support when they don't have funding for it, then I think it is because they feel it fits his needs - he may well be able to integrate back into the class gradually, starting with small groups. This is how we introduce the ASD children in our resource to mainstream school - they start off 1:1 and then do social skills in small groups, and usually are fairly well integrated by Christmas - somtimes half term.
(Not that I am necessarily saying that your DS has ASD )
I do think you need to speak to the SENCO asap to find out what their long term plans are.

but he shouldnt be removed from class simply tohave his 1:1 though surely. if he is disruptive and casuses a risk to the other children then yes of course he will be moved.

Definatley speak to your Gp and also ask the Senco if they could get someone in to observe your DS, Inclusions worker, behavioural support, ed Psych etc.
there are lots of people whose input could be beneficial

Sorry I probably haven't made myself clear. The 1 to 1 time is spent within the classroom, but from what I gather DS has little interaction with the other children.

The school are saying that as he needs 1 to 1 they must limit the time he spends in class due to inadequate funding. The longest he has spent at school so far is 2 hours per day. The LEA advisor takes a different view and told me (although I have not yet seen her report) that she doesn't agree with the school.

My DH and I saw the SENCO last week - she sympathised with our concerns and said that they will try to increase his time is class. They say this is difficult though as they have no extra funding because of the advisor's opinion.

We feel trapped because of their conflicting views and until it is resolved DS is missing out.

Hi

You are stuck between a rock and a hard place.

I would go all out to try and get your son a Statement especially if your son gets a specific diagnosis. You as the parents can write to the LEA yourselves, it does not need the school to do it and besides which it looks better coming from you. You have the right to appeal if the LEA say no, school do not.

As it stands he will get no more than is currently being offered because the school do not have the funding. It sounds to me like he's on School action or School action plus (SA is more likely). Both will provide very limited support and certainly no one to one attention.

If there is no specific diagnosis I would approach your GP with a view to seeing a developmental paediatrician (note not a community paed because they will not be the right person to see). You can pay to see a developmental paediatrician privately - your GP should be able to advise you on this point.

IPSEA are very good when it comes to school and special educational needs and I would urge you to look at their website. They also have a helpline number you can call. Their web address is www.ipsea.org.uk.

Thanks for the responses.

Attila - if we were to pay for a private assessment by a developmental paed, any idea how long this is likely to take?

Is it likely that their assessment of DS would give us a DX or is it likely we will end up seeing others such as an ed psych?

Thanks

RR

Hi reliantrobin

I can only go by my own experience but we got to see a private developmental paed within a couple of weeks after speaking with our GP and voicing our concerns.

The Ed pysch should get involved anyway regarding his schooling; such a person's imput is important when it comes to getting a Statement issued. The LEA will refer to as many people as possible to get their opinions.