AAAAAaaaaagggghhhhhhhhhhhh

[Jimjams]

Just got the report for ds1's statement review on Friday from the school and have 2 words to say F* Off!!!!!

There I feel better now I HATE all this shit. Especially all the political shit.

my sentiments exactly

Oh Jimjams

I'm just about to appeal my request to get Lottie statemented, they refused me cos she is progressing at the same level as her peers in some areas! What??!! She's doing well but cannot be compared to her peers FFS. She's 3 and can't walk, can just tolerate standing for a bit, she can babble but can';t 'talk' to me. She can't feed, dress herself, go to the loo, how is she progressing at the same level as her peers,??

It's all so bloody tedious isn't it.

Oh babe. What does it say?

That's so shit, TC.

TC, that's bloody bonkers. Anyone who knows anything about three year olds should know that, FFS.

Oh shit, sorry JimJams didn't mean to hijack, sorry.

i'll start my own thread when i start the appeal girls.

Jimjams, what did the report say?

I am very sorry and very angry that the whole sn system is politically and financially led wrapped in a sugar coating of "yes we really do care".

Where has it gone wrong?

Take care

What happened? I'm guessing that the mention of SALT (and lack thereof) might be at least a small part of the problem?

Jimjams,

I am sorry you are having such a hard time, I get my yearly assessment review next year.

Would strongly suggest you contact IPSEA. They
hopefully will be able to help.

Sam

That's crap TC

The report is from the school- a lot of it I agree with but it is sooooo negative. The first on their list of wants is training in restraint (WTF????). I've been told by his SALT that she was concerned that they were escalating behaviour problems at times by using inappropriate responses (and kind of borne out by his new LSA- who has an autistic son and tells me he's "ameniable" and that he doesn't pinch her- or at least hasn't since the first week- in other words she's responded correctly). Anything he has managed to do well (eg go into lunch etc is because he's "unaware"). When he's been taught the correct response to something (eg exchanging a card at register it's just "rote learned"- err yes he;s autistic 98% of the stuff he knows is rote learned it's how he learns- if he could learn by example he wouldn't be f*** autistic).

Also got the new IEP- some of it is good, but there are number of things on there he's been able to do since before he was 2! Also they are doing something which (IMO) is very very strange with PECS- really think someone needs to go on a PECS course- I've left a message with his SALT to check with her- but I'm sure what they are doing is wrong.

Anyway videod some ABA this weekend he was almost 100% compliant, sat at the table- and then did some spontaneous play in response to "go and play" (which naturally has been taught but hey he's autistic). Need to get my video sorted and get it into school as it really demonstrates his capabilities.

They keep going on about schools for severe communication disorders as well- completely missing the point that there are 15- 20 kids going for every space. Despite their need for restraint training (and again WTF?) some of those 15-20 kids will have been excluded from school and have nowhere else to go- he's not going to get a place. I have pointed this out!

Rant over- maybe I'm over-reacting, but am really shocked by a lot of the report- asked his old nursery manager's opinion on things like restraint and she siad "why on earth do they need that?"

Restraint training??? Why on earth do they think he needs that??? I can only go from your mumsnet posts of course but I wouldn't have thought he needed restraining.

I mean why do they think he needs to be restrained - not the actual training. Must preview....

jimjams, sorry for the inappropriate smiley before - I have a sick sense of humour

I honestly dont know what planet these people are on!

TC, We had the same with our dd until we pestered for a statement and got her therapists and portage workers backing. basically its because my dd and your dd are 'socially' (in the LEA's terms) age appropriate and therefore they 'fit' into a normal nursery scheme even though they dont understand it.

I have no idea why he needs restraining. I've seen him pinch in school- but only for attention. When he gets cross he will try to pinch an LSA but tends to hit himself. he's never gone for another child (he did at nursery- which was why I asked the manager but she said that that lasted 2 weeks and disappeared as no response was given).

His SALT has put in her report that he needs a consisitent response to pinching and that they need to respond in the way we respond at home (which is no response bascially- that's wy he doesn't pinch his new LSA he got no response from her). They've also put that he kicks and headbutts- which I am extremely concerned about as I'm not sure what they mean. He doesn't kick as far I know and will headbut the wall or whatever when he loses it - but I'm not aware of him headbutting people- I'm wondering what the hell is going on in there.

BTW nursery manager said he was the most laid back autistic child he knows. Everyone who is experienced in autism says that he is "easy" and "not a problem". I'm very concerned about the monster picture painted by the school- who have also said he is delightful- we all know what that means!

Oh hon.. This sounds really shit.

The restraint stuff might just be stupid (EXTREMELY stupid) use of language on their part- there is a big debate on what constitutes appropriate/inappropriate ways to touch kids in schools and some even take an ott zero tolerance line. Ds1 might be making a mockery of the school guidelines by needing far more physical cues than average or something like that. If not, I am frankly stunned and disgusted by their poor communication.

More generally, I personally think there's no real excuse for this sort of negativity, especially out of clear blue water. And I'm surprised- they've sounded so positive so far. The only thing I can think is that they have a reason for stressing the negative. Sometimes these things are a bit like dla forms, IME- the negative is stressed to get a particular outcome like continued, more or different support. Is this possible do you think?

Have to go and get my boys but will come back to this later. All my love xxxxxxxxx

God, how awful. How horribly negative.
Sorry, I don't know the full history- your ds is at mainstream with support?

It would worry me too, Jimjams. It doesn't sound at all appropriate for your son. Plus he's only five! He's not some 15stone adult.

You may well be right scummy. I spoke to ds1's new LSA when I picked him up- she's also a parent of an autistic child - and she doesn't think there's much problem- although she said he does single out certain people to pinch (people who have given him a response in the past- his SALT told me the same more or less and has written about the need for a consistent response- using the methods we use at home in the report she has submitted for the review). She said he is pretty well beahved for her- but thinks that's partly because she responds instinctively to an autistic child. Anyway will talk to the LSA properly when we chat on the phone later in the week- but she has made me feel a lot better. She said his year 1 class teacher is excellent (which I have thought from the beginning) and that she is very supportive- which I had also heard- she said that she is aware that the reception teacher last year was much less supportive and hinted that she was clueless! So she said not to worry too much at the moment. So will hopefully be able to talk calmly about it at the reveiw meeting!

Do need to get to the bottom of kicking and headbutting though- as that's not him- pinching -yes- but kicking and headbutting???? I need to be told WHENEVER that happens.

Jimjams - they obviously do not know what the f they are talking about and of course you need to be informed of what he is doing that they are so concerned about...kicking and headbutting?

My ds's school told me 2 years ago that they had no money to be able to do a "restraining course" which apparently takes 2 days. I did mention that I could teach them what to do in about 2 minutes, but...!

When my ds was then hung upside down by the ankles during a tantrum and goaded, they said he was lying! He wasn't of course. My ds did need restraining (properly) for a damn sight more than the odd bit of pinching. These people obviously do not know their a*s from their elbows!

Jimjams - I'm so sorry, you and your ds really don't need this kind of crap. I can't imagine what it's like to have to fight against the system for everything your child needs and constantly come up against this kind of ignorance

I do think they need a behaviour management course- or an ABA course but I really don't think restraint is appropriate at this stage - it would just escalate any problem and produce behaviour problems. He's never gone for another child in school btw (hasn't really outside- except ds2 and a brief 2 weeks of pinching at nursery)

I know that correct use of restraint technique is a hot topic. It is a horrible phrase. All of the sn staff in my sons class are being trained to to it correctly in case it is needed. I know that OFSTED come down heavily on any incorrect handling of the children.

As for the report it may just be worded to maintain correct support levels. If your LEA is anything like mine annual review is their opportunity to reduce provision.
I know I felt very tearful when I read ds3 last report, like you I was quite shocked at some of the comments, however I did manage to clear up any areas of concern with the school.

You should have been informed of any headbutting etc, also why they have felt the need to mention severe placement provision? What are their longer term goals for ds1? Even though nothing is set in stone you need to know what they are thinking.
Good luck for the review I hope the report is nothing more than fodder for LEA financing.

I think they think he is too severe for mainstream. However- current policy here is inclusion inclusion inclusion so he;s not going to get a place in special school. I've asked his SALT her opinion as she has worked in special schools etc and her view is that he's "easy" "not difficult" and "they should just get on with it". To give another example of the situation here there was a boy in last night's paper who had been expelled for scary outburts- he was statemented and described as "mildly autisitc with learning difficulties" NO chance of special school.

The Ed pyshs have said at meetings I have been to that there are no places at SS.

The inclusion is very much happening here. I think my son will end up in mainstream at some point as we are in the process of changing to SLD and some of the new children certainly have far more severe needs than ds3.
I guess it comes down to how happy you are with provision. Is there any out of LEA provision that you would consider and be willing to go to tribunal for.
I know you are in a hard position as your ds would be misplaced imo in a severe autism placement but like us you would probably be denied access to a SALT provision placement because of the autism.