ds1 is eating meat and fish

[Jimjams]

Ok so its only (gluten free) chicken nuggets, kievs and fish fingers. But the first meat for FOUR years. Out of the blue. After FOUR years. Can't believe it. He sits and munches it like he never stopped. And chips. For the first time in three years.

Strange child.

oh yes- but you can't say anything.....

I know one child (who is still very young) and I'm really hoping I'm wrong, but its like watching a car crash in slow motion iykwim.

I know. Hope she comes to me when if it all kicks off, though. She's such a great woman.

it sawful isnt it? i have dropped loads of hints and I was REALLY hoping his (very good) nursery would spot it, which they have sort of, started questioning about an assessment before he starts school but she was about it (my friend that is) and i have to just try and be diplomatic, because she really is a very good friend to me

To be fair, the LEA in Brighton does TRY to anticipate how many places are needed which is why we have the COMPASS. They give you incentives (such as free swimming)to register your SN child so that they can plan for the future.

I think the problem stems from children who for various reasons don't get 'discovered' until fairly late, maybe when they start at pre-school. They might be missed by a health visitor or their parents may be in denial like friends you have mentioned. Then they end up competing for school places with children who have been in the system all along.

Sorry Jak! I shouldn't be sticking up for them when I know you are tearing your hair out atm! (and I'm still not excusing them for not ringing you straight away)

Yeah but, Pixel, Compass was started by parents- it's not run by the LEA. I agree, there's not alot they can do if children emerge who have bypassed everything. But I'm still

trouble is often children are bypassed because of waiting lists. At our first assessment where we were given the dx of mild language delay I told them my son wasn't pointing, had limited play skills, looked a things from funny angles, had trouble following a point...... He was out on a "3 month review" which didn't exist- 8 months later we still hadn't been seen. Then we moved and had to start all over again.

I wasn't in denial- just wasn'\t able to get anywhere.

its a horrible frustrating period aswell as you know something isnt 'right' and havent been told what to do. I wasnt on the internet either so had limited resources to find anyway out aswell

Sorry Jak, didn't know that, I assumed it was 'official' from the leaflet I originally saw..

Wonderful, I bet you are over the moon, I know i would be.
Kids are funny creatures aren't they.
lottie point blank refused to let a grape anywhere near her, then one day she gabbed one of mine and hasn't stopped since!

Yeah, you're right Jimjams, I bet there's alot of that going on too. Pixel, sorry, didn't mean to sound aggressive! (I'm in that frame of mine). I think the LEA do refer parents to AMAZE if they need objective help with statementing/appeals etc but as far as I know it is an independent charity and was set up by a parent with a child with special needs.