paying consultant for advice

[padua]

Hi,
I am sorry I haven't posted on here for ages. My DS now has a diagnosis of Aspergers and DCD. He is in Yr 1 and is supported most mornings in school. In the afternoons he seems to be left to his own devices. I have picked him up for therapy in the afternoon to find him stood in the corner of the class gazing into space while the rest of the class are actively engaged. My DH has also seen the same when he goes in. The teacher is lovely an NQT and very honest about not knowing how to motivate and engage him when he is unsupported. The Senco offers little support to the class teacher and basically jsut keeps on top of paperwork. I have tried recently to engage school in the possibility of working with a highly recommended ASD behaviour analyst who I was willing to pay for to go in and suggest motivators/reinforcers task boards etc to offer support. The school have had a major hissy fit and blanked my suggestions. Has anyone else had experience of paying private consultants to go into school?

bump

Hi
Yes I have payed for SaLT and OT to go into school. At first school not very pleased but they then relented. Now they recommend these specialists to other parents. Sometimes it's hard being the first. You may be offering them something they aren't sure about ie not a specialist they have heard of before. You may be better asking them if they could get in the outreach worker from the local Autism Outreach Support services. If your DS has a diagnosis you are entitled to this. Also have you been on the Early Bird plus course as you can take someone from the school along to this.

Good luck and remember you need to keep pushing.

God yes, schools deffo get threatened by outside experts as they think you're implying they're not doing their job (which they clearly aren't). What I've found works well, is to get the expert to butter them up a lot - "obviously you're the experts on what would work in your classroom, but there are a few of my suggestions..." sort of thing. Give the teacher and SENCO lots of face, but explain that you're just putting out feelers as he could get so much more out of school with better motivation. Stick to it, be persistent but charming.