Ds's growing awareness of his diffculties with friendship hurts more than anything.

[macwoozy]

I've just read a few lines that were spoken from my ds, he has HFA. This was part of a report written by his school. He would have found it difficult giving this wealth of information so I can only presume that he was just answering questions rather than offering information, IYKWIM. Anyway I think it's sad, and says alot about my ds's desperation to find a friend, or most probably just not getting the whole friendship concept. It says:-

'He said that he didn't like playtime because X and Y won't play with him so he chases them. He said that he did play with other children sometimes,(not what I see!) but X and Y were his favourite friends.'

hi magsi, just to say, my dd1 has hemiplegia too.

just had parents evening to day. teacher has told me dd1 is 'socially isolated' but the other kids 'don't mean to do it though, it's just that she's so slow and clumsy and takes so long to do everything'

and her schoolwork/grades are going in a downward slide too. probably no coincidence, her grades used to be good, as she becomes more aware of social problems, thoughts of that take over and become more important than schoolwork

i was told a long time ago by school senco not to bother getting a statement of sen, as it would always be dealt with within school. now i'm just thinking that was a lie?! should i start the process of getting a statement, can part of it be about helping her with social inclusion?

i also told the teacher that she can't remember everything to write down and could he please help her a bit-apparently not, he can only 'ask all of the class to write something down, not individuals'

in the early days, i used to think going to a special school would be the worst thing i could think of, i was so clueless: she's always been mainstream, now i wish she could go to a moderate sn school, anything so she could be happy and feel normal.(Sorry,rant)

I'm sorry, hk. I think you should definitely consider getting a statement, although be prepared for a long and gruelling battle. Your poor dd .

is every SN child in the country entitled to a statement? i was told by school senco (useless)that 'we don't do them as they're not needed' .was this just another blocking tactic to save the lea budget or what? should i have started with the statement thing years ago?

Hi HK. Sorry to hear about your problems. Regarding SENCO they often try to fob people off in this way, it is all about saving money for the Council or Local Authority and nothing about helping our kids. Time to get tough I'm afraid. No not every SN child in the country gets a statement. The powers that be are meant to be directing more resources straight to the schools. However it sounds like your dd is not getting the support she needs.

Suggest you contact IPSEA regarding getting a statement. You can apply for an assessment yourself, don't have to wait for the school to do it. However you will need evidence and information about how your child is doing at school and the support she needs to reach her potential.

caroline3 that's great advice, it's good to hear someone else say 'yes, its all about them saving money' - sometimes i start thinking i'm paranoid and everythings a conspiracy theory,lol!
i have had a look at that IPSEA website, it's just what i need,thanks to all who mentioned it. sorry if i've hijacked the op thread mcwoozy,i'll go now