General Chat

Hi Val, how are you? Nice to see you! Julia, keep on their case! They should put a referral through too, or at the very least support your existing one. Hope you are feeling a bit better now that littl'un will be in bed (I hope!). Maz. XX

Just a question. If a child has an IEP & is statemented how much extra help are they supposed to get each week?

Hi Maz I am fine just tired lol Penny if your son is statmented on the letter they sent it should have the amount of help each term on it

Thanks Val Can't find his original letter but he has only progressed 3 months in 6 months so something is not right :-(

You should also have meetings with the school every year to make sure he is getting enough help but I think if he is not get back on to special needs people in the education dept The school will also know how much help he is getting

we do meet evey term with his teacher . At one point they were going to get a physcologist (sp?) to access him but then they decided he was OK so decided against it. Now I'm thinking perhaps they should :-(

I've just received Jamie's updated statement. The level of support is detailed in ... PART 3: SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL PROVISION B: EDUCATIONAL PROVISION TO MEET NEEDS AND OBJECTIVES ii: To be provided by XXX Education Authority it says.... 'To support the implementation of Jamie's IEP the LEA will provide resources at level B, funding equivalent to 10 hours of LSA either individually or in small groups.' If you haven't got a copy of the statement, contact your LEA direct (ask for the SEN Inclusion Officer). I would have thought the Educational Psychologist should see your son as a matter of course once a year anyway? Ask the LEA about it when you call them. Good luck! Maz. XX

Well I had my meeting today & found out he hasn't been statmented he just has an IEP!!! Perhaps thats why I couldn't find my copy!!!!!

Hi Penny, I hope that they are now going to refer him to the Ed Psych and apply for a statement for him??? The trouble is that now it is school holidays, so I suppose you will have to wait until September before they can do anything. Make sure you go in on the first day back and book an appointment with the Senco and or head teacher to discuss your concerns. Maz. XX

Was told hard to get Ed Psych as they are cutting back. Been advised to go to GP - at first wouldnt say what for as they are not qualified to diagnose but eventually got it out of them!! Phoned his Paed consultant direct - just waiting to hear. Happy Holidays :-(

I am glad they have sorted it for you Penny

Just want it properly dealt with now & quickly. Patience isn't onw of my strong points!. Been crying most of the day :-(

Keep on at them Penny, when David had his done it was to late as they wouldn't listein to me but with John got it sorted as hospital doctor sorted it but please try not to get upset as your son will pick up on you getting upset

ok, I think they are HALF right! I do know from my own area that Ed Psychs are few and far between and have horrendous caseloads. Here those who have left have not been replaced, so the remaining ones have to do double or treble the work. BUT if the school put in for a statement, then he WILL be assessed by and Ed Psych, even if it takes a while. Someone needs to get their finger out and get the ball rolling for you !! :-)) Maz. XX

Val He was at school today so didn't see me. He did get his 50 metres swimming badge today so really pleased with him :-)))))) Maz I like this paed consultant & so will wait to hear what he has to say first.

Well done for your son getting swimming badge Penny But do keep on that them and his doctor as he will help

What age were your children when they were diagnosed, how did you cope?

Hi Penny, Jamie was only diagnosed a year ago - he is 8 and a half now - but we had been convinced he had Asperger's since he was about 4 or 5 and knew from about 3 that there was something unusual about him. I am lucky enough to have had excellent support from the school throughout, but did have problems with family in the early days. They were more of the opinion that he was just 'naughty'. Now I have educated them more about the condition and they are much more understanding. I'm a great reader, so I got loads of books from the library - there are some very good ones about Asperger's in particular - and learnt everything I could from them. It does help when you talk to professionals if you know something about the autistic spectrum and how it affects behaviour. For me, the diagnosis itself was a relief as it confirmed everything I had thought beforehand - I did doubt myself right up until the point that the shrink said the word Asperger's, and I cried when he did! Once you have a diagnosis you know what you are dealing with (although each child is different) and can then work with the professionals on strategies to help with your particular issues. I don't see a label as a bad thing - it's a stepping stone for us. The next hurdle I think will be trying to explain to Jamie why he is different - I'm waiting until I think he is able to understand. I've explained it a little to Charlotte, she knows the term Special Needs and realises that her brother is 'different', but it is still hard for siblings. Don't know if this has helped at all! Everyone's experience is a little different and we can each only say how it was for us. Maz. XX

Hi Maz Thanks for that encouragement. I feel a lot better today - think (hope) I have got over the initial shock/realisation - hopefully now will be stronger to attack whatever comes at me :-)

Hi Penny! oh I KNEW there was something else I was gonna put in my pm to you lol here it is!! You will now find out that you (like all women lol) are so much stronger than you thought. They say that 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger' and I firmly believe that - I wouldn't be here now after the terrible year I had last year otherwise! Always remember that YOU are the one who knows your child best. Try to keep your sense of humour and most of all enjoy your special child :-))) Maz. XX