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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

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Original poster

Guardian worth a look today

31 replies

sphil · 19/05/2009 10:50

It has a pull out section on autism and education - interesting in terms of proposed increased training on inclusion. Am thinking of writing in though - it implied, by omission, that all children in m/s schools had HFA or Aspergers - which is certainly not true in our case.

Also a very good letter on Letters page by Clare Peck.

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Original poster

sphil · 19/05/2009 10:00

Link to letter here (supplement doesn't seem to be online) www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/may/19/downs-syndrome-screening-nhs

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TotalChaos · 19/05/2009 10:10

thanks will go out and get it later.

troutpout · 19/05/2009 10:17

cheers

saintlydamemrsturnip · 19/05/2009 10:18

I followed the link in the letter to this:
"Jane Fisher, the director of the charity Antenatal Results and Choice, said: "Clearly the better the test is, the fewer women will consider having an amniocentesis and putting their baby at risk. And therefore fewer normal babies will be lost.""

And thought how do they know the baby is 'normal' just because they didn't have DS. Sort of continues that myth that those of us with disabled children all knew beforehand and have 'chosen' this path.

othermother · 19/05/2009 10:18

Cheers, will pick it up when I go to the shops for my baccy in a bit.

mykeyboardhasbeendrinking · 19/05/2009 10:22

cheers-for-the-reminder.

FioFio · 19/05/2009 10:59

This reply has been deleted

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sc13 · 19/05/2009 11:54

Am disturbed by "fewer normal babies will be lost", because that's the loss that really counts?
Was equally disturbed by a feature on adoption in the Guardian a few weeks ago (tie-in to a Channel 4 programme), where a very nice couple said they'd adopt a child with any disability, as long as they were not aggressive and they were not autistic. That's their prerogative obviously, but I felt hurt on DS's behalf

TotalChaos · 19/05/2009 12:06

It's an uncomfortable article- it seems to reflect the conveyor belt of testing - doesn't capture the complexities of the situation - and properly cover those who decide not to proceed to amnio after a high risk result.

saintlydamemrsturnip · 19/05/2009 12:47

"as long as they were not aggressive and they were not autistic."

I remember something similar in a an article years ago. It was based on ignorance though. We have a new person working for us and she said that ds1 (severely autistic) has completely changed her understanding of the condition. (Because he's affectionate and often engaged and a real individual - she described him as a 'normal little boy' - which is isn't but I knew what she meant).

The irony of course that many NT children who are adopted come with attachment disorders which can present in a similar way to autism (although attachment is 'normal' in autism).

FioFio · 19/05/2009 12:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

TotalChaos · 19/05/2009 12:56

at the question, never mind the response. NT children and adults can be[come] incontinent for all sorts of health reasons....

saintlydamemrsturnip · 19/05/2009 12:57

ha ha ha

Reminds me of the checkout assistant who asked my lovely girl about ds1 (he was hanging out and being a bit odd at the end of the till). She explained he was autistic and the woman said 'oh he must be mild' so we explained that no he was severely affected. At which she said 'oh such a shame, he's so good looking'. I wanted to ask if it would have been ok if he was pig ugly but she was trying t be nice so I resisted.

Original poster

sphil · 19/05/2009 12:59

I think it reflects the generalised, stereotypical view of an autistic child as someone who is unable to give or receive affection. I've lost count of the number of people who are surprised by DS2's affectionate nature and the way he demands attention (if you look strong enough to pick him up and whirl him around your head )

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FioFio · 19/05/2009 13:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

saintlydamemrsturnip · 19/05/2009 13:00

upside down?

saintlydamemrsturnip · 19/05/2009 13:01

oh the upside down was to sphil.

I do the same fio.

Original poster

sphil · 19/05/2009 13:01

Sorry - that was a reply to SC13 - I'm slow because I'm watching Chelsea with one eye

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Original poster

sphil · 19/05/2009 13:03

Ha ha - thread has taken surreal turn.

If you could do it upside down he would probably adopt you as his new parent!

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Deeeja · 19/05/2009 13:08

I remember that comment about 'not and autistic one' too. Was deeply hurt by that.
I will buy the Guardian, am on my way out now.
Thanks for the reminder!

FioFio · 19/05/2009 13:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

sc13 · 19/05/2009 13:11

I almost wrote a letter about the autistic and affectionate, then I thought I didn't want to attack the guys who wanted to adopt. After all, there are masses of potential parents out there who would not touch any child with disabilities with a bargepole.

Original poster

sphil · 19/05/2009 13:11

And yes, I saw that comment and was hurt too.

We need to make a TV programme turning misconceptions about autism on their heads!

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Original poster

sphil · 19/05/2009 13:14

I bet if they had some exposure to kids with autism (in the same way they had a girl with other SN to stay for the weekend) they would have changed their minds - they seemed very nice, but obviously just uninformed.

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Arabica · 19/05/2009 23:22

I think that TV programme clearly showed just how invisible children with disabilites are to the non-SN community. Some of the attitudes were really but it was just pure inexperience and ignorance.

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