sneaking SN on to agendas where they're not expecting us, school, PTA, etc

[lingle]

I found myself in a PTA meeting last week (I know I know, shows how mild our issues are here etc).

Cue discussion about which DJ was best for the nursery reception disco.

Me: I noticed that it was extremely loud. I wonder if it could be quieter at least for the first half. I appreciate that I have an agenda here....

Other:

Well said about a certain kind of parent. We have been luckier in that we ended up with experts (especially some NHS SALTs) who have really helped with DS's progress. But

1. it shouldn't be a lottery
2. it has been easier for us to take control, understand the law, write applications, etc. because DH and I are middle-class and educated. So again, a lottery. Which brings me to the real point I wanted to make here: do become a governor if you can. If and when we manage to find a f school which will f take DS on, either DH or I (but probably him) will do their best to get on board, if only to do what we can so that other parents don't have to go through the same mess

More people - perhaps most people - could be that kind of parent if we educated people about sensory and processing differences but dropped the pseudo-medical jargon and abandoned the acronyms.

I have just become part of an interim advisory board for a phase III Children's Centre. For exactly that reason. We had our first meeting on Friday.

Parents need to be empowered. I don't actually think it is about 'class'. I wouldn't really consider myself middle class. [We are on a low income, we rent, DH does a manual job (although does have a degree in a diffrent subject), I am a former Nurse (although also have a degree in a different subject).]

I think the key is demystifying the system for parents. It really isn't rocket science, despite all the jargon. It is reducing the reams of jargon-filled 'guidance documents' 'procedures' etc, to basic, plain-worded premises.

For example statementing. Take the hundreds of pages of the SEN COP. What do parents actually need to know?

"Does your child have a significant SEN?

Can you show that the school can't make provision on their own without help?

If YES, apply for a SA."

You can spend 4 hours filling in forms for someone, or 1 hour teaching them how to do it.