tutor for kids with SN

[howtohelp]

Hi, I've posted before under this name, am a regular but want to be anon for this. Friend's 7yr old ds has been dx mild autism and global development delay. He is in mainstream school but there are problems with his behaviour. He has a 1-1 assistant in the mornings and the school have hired someone (unqualified I think) to look after him in the afternoons as he was being very disruptive.

Parents have taken on a tutor two evenings a week but he is not experienced in dealing with kids with SN. It costs a lot of money and ds sometimes starts playing and doing other things so it is turning into a waste of money. I wondered if anyone knew of any way, other than local paper, of finding tutors with the relevant experience. Ds needs help with learning to read and numbers.

Davros knows many ABA tutors in London. where is your friend?

They are in West London, near Ealing.

Keep bumping for Davros, I think!

thanks dinosaur, will do

It may be worth getting them to ask their local branch of the NAS, my local branch recently advertised ABA tutors who were looking for pupils.
Also many members may use tutors they could recommend.

Oh yes, definitely. I am a member of Haringay NAS (there isn't one in Hackney) and they do advertise people being available.

that's a good idea isgrassgreener, will also look into that.

x-posted dinosaur , will hopefully find someone soon.

Oh Dinosaur I'm a member of Haringey as well. Also Barnet as I live on the edge of both.

I've never actually managed to go to a meeting, I'm always at work when they take place!

I'd really like to figure out a way to take DS1 to that football coaching they have at Spurs - but it's a bit far for us and we don't have a car. Awesome Lane Hotspur, I think it's called (not the Spurs ground, but the football coaching for children with ASD).

We don't go as it clashes with something else, but I think that they run a minibus for the children now.
They said at the last meeting that they are going to make a film about it.

We are Arsenal fans, but it must be great doing football at a real club.

Oh right! I must tell DH.

Blimey! I can't believe you are both members of Haringey Autism. One of my longest (ASD) friends runs it. She was the second other (ABA) mum I met!!! I spoke to her yesterday and they are also going to be starting up their Adventure playground session in a month or so (also right on top of glorious Spurs!) so maybe I'll see you both there! Isgrassgreener - I am a member of Barnet NAS too (not a member of Haringey) because it was the only vaguely local branch 9 years ago (we are Camden).
As for tutors....... my advice, from LOTS of experience:

• work very hard at finding someone!
• be creative about who could do the job. I've had lots of people over the years who other parents wouldn't consider, not because they were crap but they weren't the obvious choice AND sell it to people who would be good but haven't thought of it themselves
• write a nice advert with photo of child, make it sound fun and interesting and don't forget to mention pay without being too specific (I have some ads still if you want to CAT me, happy to share and you can adapt)
• put ads up or email to any local colleges, even 6th forms, CDC, GP surgery, library, local cafes and bookshops if they have a notice board. Anywhere people will see it
• network, network, network. You just never know who is going to have a friend or meet someone who would be ideal and then think of YOU
• Try www.thegumtree.com (I think its com but might be co.uk)

Erm, I'll let you know if I think of anything else.

I'm so dim, Davros, it never occurred to me that you were probably a member!

Right, both of you, and anyone else in North East London, we really ought to organise to meet up!