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wetaugust, grumpy, debs and all you other brill statement people

15 replies

claw3 · 17/04/2010 01:35

Ive been busy with my submission to SA tribunal and would really appreciate your comments on the following extract from it (i wont copy and paste the whole lot, it will make your eyes bleed!) but the rest follows in a similar vien.

communication and interaction

  1. SALT report dated 21/9/09

? he presents as a child with a complex pattern of strengths and weaknesses, mainly relating to social communication and behavioural skills?

Specialist in Social communication SALT report dated 16/11/09

? X is described by his teacher as a boy who is usually focussed within the classroom setting. On a 1:1 basis, he seemed quite agitated and moved around a lot on his chair

? X is often confused by instructions and explanations.

? On many occasions during the assessment he seemed quite confused

? His output in general seems to involve quite simple sentenance structures, often with quite muddled ideas within them

? His conversation skills remain quite limited

Bibic report dated 16/12/09

? Renfrew Word Finding Vocabulary Test ?Difficulty in this area may make communicating with others difficult, possibly resulting in frustration.

In view of the significant difficulties highlighted in these reports SALT recommendations of 1:1 TA help for 10-15 minutes 1-2 times a week and targets set to develop Jacob?s speech pronouication, social communication and functional skills are severely inadequate.

Furthermore school have only implemented 1:1 TA help to develop his speech pronounication. Due to lack of resources the school have failed to put help in place to develop his social communication and functional skills and proactively assist him in overcoming these difficulties that result from his disability

As a consequence x is often confused in school, no progress has been made and he continues to experience these difficulties, which contribute to his anxieties.

Without help in place, progress cannot be made or monitored and SALT targets set cannot be met.

Can you give some examples of what help i can ask for please?

and any other comments on what to put in or take out would be highly appreciated.

Thank you so much in advance.

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WetAugust · 17/04/2010 22:38

hI cLAW

It's good

I think this bit needs a bit of work as it does immediately explain itself

In view of the significant difficulties highlighted in these reports SALT recommendations of 1:1 TA help for 10-15 minutes 1-2 times a week and targets set to develop Jacob?s speech pronouication, social communication and functional skills are severely inadequate.

Furthermore school have only implemented 1:1 TA help to develop his speech pronounication. Due to lack of resources the school have failed to put help in place to develop his social communication and functional skills and proactively assist him in overcoming these difficulties that result from his disability

Could you phrase it in such a way that SALT recommended XXX BUT school are only providing YYY

As a consequence x is often confused in school, no progress has been made and he continues to experience these difficulties, which contribute to his anxieties.

Without adequate / 1:1 help in place, progress cannot be made or monitored and SALT targets set cannot be met.

As I bolded above I woudl be more specfic about the actual help.

Try to imaging a school day - what would he need at all the different points in the day and from whom (including 'Unstructured time - play time / dinner time in everyday speak).

Just go for you think he needs - how much, from whom and what the purpose of it is.

Best wishes

AngryWasp · 17/04/2010 23:08

'he presents as a child with a complex pattern of strengths and weaknesses, mainly relating to social communication and behavioural skills?'

Perhaps bette to write something like:

'he presents with a spikey profile with inconsistent strengths and weaknesses (SALT report 21/09/09) and his teacher finds it difficult to explain and deliver instructions without him getting confused. (techer [date]). His conversation skills are so limited he is unable to feed back and engage in a conversation that will clarify (Specialist SALT [date]) and he is unable to make himself and his needs understood (BIBIC [date]) and his anxiety levels at home are increasing as a result (do you have any evidence?).

Given the above, plus the teachers reporting of her difficulties in communicating and the inability of the school so far to address this, he needs a full detailed assessment to highlight where exactly support will be beneficial and to direct the school in strategies of support.

and

claw3 · 19/04/2010 10:28

Thanks Wet and Angry.

I think i need to incorporate this bit into communication and interaction. I put it under cognition and learning?

Cognition and learning

Bibic report dated 16/12/09

? We can see from the results that x will experience difficulties with planning and organising what should happen in a sequence to achieve a successful outcome of an activity

? X is easily distracted by sounds and is sensitive to certain loud noises. In addition he needs instructions to be broken up into 2-3 steps commands and is inconsistent at responding to his name being called

? British Picture Vocabulary test ?X required extensive directions during this test to begin?

SALT reported dated 21/9/09

? X cannot consistently understand the concepts ?before? and ?after?, which might be adversely impacting upon his general ability to understand and follow instructions in the classroom?

IEP dated November 2009

? At times he separates himself, often physically from the rest of the class if a lesson involves an activity he dislikes. On these occasions he becomes non-communicative when addressed

Teacher report dated March 2010 to the LA

? At times he disregards instructions from staff. He sulks and cries and takes himself to the back of the carpet when reprimanded?

Following a meeting on 12/11/09 the strategy of putting a now/next timetable was put in place, this has failed as Jacob has never used it; this was confirmed by Miss X in a meeting on 1/2/10 see minutes of meeting dated 1/2/10. Despite this fact the school continue to set the use of this as a target. A further indication that school are unable to understand x?s difficulties is they continue to reprimand him when he experiences difficulties.

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claw3 · 19/04/2010 10:34

Angry i like your wording, but the problem im having as you can see from the above, is that the school are failing to recognise that 'his teacher finds it difficult to explain and deliver instructions without him getting confused' they are still insisting that he does NOT despite writing it their IEP, they are still seeing it as ds 'sulking'.

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claw3 · 19/04/2010 11:15

Communication and interaction

  1. SALT report dated 21/9/09

? he presents as a child with a complex pattern of strengths and weaknesses, mainly relating to social communication and behavioural skills?

? X cannot consistently understand the concepts ?before? and ?after?, which might be adversely impacting upon his general ability to understand and follow instructions in the classroom?

Specialist in Social communication SALT report dated 16/11/09

? X is described by his teacher as a boy who is usually focussed within the classroom setting. On a 1:1 basis, he seemed quite agitated and moved around a lot on his chair

? X is often confused by instructions and explanations.

? On many occasions during the assessment he seemed quite confused

? His output in general seems to involve quite simple sentence structures, often with quite muddled ideas within them

? His conversation skills remain quite limited

Bibic report dated 16/12/09

? We can see from the results that x will experience difficulties with planning and organising what should happen in a sequence to achieve a successful outcome of an activity

? X is easily distracted by sounds and is sensitive to certain loud noises. In addition he needs instructions to be broken up into 2-3 steps commands and is inconsistent at responding to his name being called

? British Picture Vocabulary test X required extensive directions during this test to begin

? Renfrew Word Finding Vocabulary Test ?Difficulty in this area may make communicating with others difficult, possibly resulting in frustration

In view of the significant difficulties highlighted in these reports SALT recommended 1:1 TA help for 10-15 minutes 1-2 times a week to develop his speech pronunciation, social communication and functional skills, but school are only providing 1:1 TA help for 10-15 minutes 1-2 times a week to develop his speech pronunciation

This is severely inadequate. As a consequence his teacher finds it difficult to explain and deliver instructions without him getting confused. His conversation skills are so limited he is unable to feed back and engage in a conversation that will clarify and he is unable to make himself understood, which contribute to his anxieties.

IEP dated November 2009

? At times he separates himself, often physically from the rest of the class if a lesson involves an activity he dislikes. On these occasions he becomes non-communicative when addressed

Teacher report dated March 2010 to the LA

? At times he disregards instructions from staff. He sulks and cries and takes himself to the back of the carpet when reprimanded?

Following a meeting on 12/11/09 the strategy of putting a now/next timetable was put in place, this has failed, primarily due to the negative response of staff to his difficulties and he has never used it; this was confirmed by Miss x in a meeting on 1/2/10 see minutes of meeting dated 1/2/10. Despite this fact the school continue to set the use of this as a target. A further indication that school are unable to understand x?s difficulties is they continue to reprimand him when he experiences difficulties, adding even further to his anxieties.

Given the above, plus the teachers reporting of her difficulties in communicating and the inability of the school so far to understand or address this, he needs a full detailed assessment to highlight where exactly support will be beneficial and to direct the school in strategies of support.

Without adequate 1:1 help in place, progress cannot be made or monitored and SALT targets set cannot be met.

Does that sound better?

Perhaps a bit long, i could probably cut down on the number of quotes in the final draft, but i want to make sure i really get my point across. No matter how many his difficulties are highlighted in reports, school are still not 'getting it'.

Im also really stuck on what help to ask for, i have no idea of the kind of help i can expect (up to this point, we have had none.

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AngryWasp · 19/04/2010 17:12

Grrrrrr. Stupid teacher. Teaching outcomes are measured by LEARNING OUTCOMES surely? If the child hasn't understood something, how is it the child's fault?

If the teacher is finding it difficult to get the message across FOR WHATEVER REASON then more support is needed.

claw3 · 19/04/2010 22:42

Exactly Angry, despite reports highlighting his difficulties, school think that they are getting the message across and ds is choosing not to follow instructions and is being defiant, they then reprimand him, he then cries and 'sulks'. If i hear the word 'sulk' one more time i will scream! He is confused and being told off for being confused FGS, why cant they see that

He then refuses to use any strategies they put in place (because he thinks he will get into trouble if he struggles) and the school then claim success, he doesnt use it because he doesnt need it!

Academically he is not behind at the moment, but in my opinion this wont last. Teacher reported in November that he could focus with group adult support. In March he is struggling to maintain focus and needs constant support.

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claw3 · 20/04/2010 13:18

Just to say thank you to everyone who has given me help and advice. I have finished my draft submission and i couldnt have done it without your help.

It is one kick arse appeal and i feel extremely confident (after your help of course) that i will win.

Thanks again everyone

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wasuup3000 · 20/04/2010 13:52

Good Luck I am off to tribunal next week pending a LEA meeting this Friday.

claw3 · 20/04/2010 14:03

Good luck to you too Wasup, i will keep my fingers crossed for you!

That is next on my to do list, arrange a meeting with LA while tribunal is pending.

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AngryWasp · 20/04/2010 15:13

Good luck wassup and claw. Don't ever underestimate the level of work and strength you yourselves have given to this. I know you don't want medals, but just the educational provision that your child is legally entitled to, but please do take a moment on occassion to feel very proud of yourselves.

Because all we get at the end is what we are entitled to it is too easy to underestimate what we did to achieve it.

wasuup3000 · 20/04/2010 23:22

Thank you getting nervous now-Also got to sort out amendments to my daughters proposed statement on Friday with LEA officer. The EP that was suggesting them has retired so the principal EP is taking over her role. I emailed the P. EP today and she has not been in the areas office or read my daughters file or recent retired EP assessments yet! Wheres that brick wall.

AngryWasp · 21/04/2010 15:11

Oh dear. Good luck with that then.

fullstop · 21/04/2010 21:59

Hello

I'm new to this site and I've been reading to get info and support for my little boy Finn.

I'd like to wish you lots of support and success with your application. I really hope it goes well for you. I'm sure the stress and worry must be huge.

Take care m x

claw3 · 21/04/2010 22:27

Wassup, the continuity of care from professionals always seems to be a problem for me too and dont even get me started on report reading! best of luck to you, although im sure you dont need it.

Angrywasp, thanks and you are quite right, we do deserve to give ourselves a pat on the back from time to time, it is bloody hard work.

Fullstop thank you for wishes and welcome. There is a lot of support and advice on here and i hope you find it useful. It is a real life line

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