[senco-forum] Autism

I do not think I made significant?assumptions Richard -- and I was naturally aware that there was a lot more information required before specific advice appropriate for this child, and its parents, could be given, That is why I advised they ring IPSEAs advice line.

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But the comment -- that the LA stated that there "were no specialist schools available" -- and the worrying term "accomodate"?raised my suspicion that info about independent sector specialist provision had not been provided by the LA. So I gave standard advice concerning parental rights and children's entitlements about the alternatives parents can trun to if they considered a specialist placement was neccessary -- and were unhappy with mainstream -- and also the importance of having a sound specific statement. 

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I did assume the child was statemented -- the description was "autisitc" not ASD which implied a sevely affected child who certainly would require a statement -- perhaps I should have suggested, also, that parents/school make a request for a statutory assessment if there was no statement.

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As?the messagee?was requesting advice about a?"plan" this implies the school does not have?established expertise or capacity to meet this child's SEN, whatever position on the autistic spectrum he may be assessed as being placed. 

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Again, this implies the neccessity of specified provision within a statement of SEN to protect the child now and in the longer term. And, also, there are?more specialist independent?schools nowadays catering for ASD high functioning pupils as well as for severely affected children. So I thought my advice to be apt and appropriate in the circumstances. 

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And any advice on this forum,?about areas?in which?the LAs nationally seem to be?routinely avoiding their responsibilites ?--? or failing to reasonably make use of their?discretionary powers -- is?never wasted in my view.

Thanks, though, for your interest in my response to?this issue -- I'm very concerned about the plight of these children -- and am gratified you are also -- as a dedicated teacher of a number of ASD children -- more power to you Richard. -- Brendan King

-----Original Message-----

From: Richard Cook 

To: kngbrndn at aol.com; senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk

Sent: Tue, Sep 4 6:15 PM

Subject: RE: Re: [senco-forum] Autism - need a plan.

Wow there's a lot of assumptions.    But brendan we don't know if this pupil is even statemented, where he is on  the spectrum or the degree of difficulty he/she experiences.    Richard    -----Original Message-----  From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk  [mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk]On Behalf Of  kngbrndn at aol.com  Sent: 04 September 2007 22:55  To: senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk  Subject: Fwd: Re: [senco-forum] Autism - need a plan.      Subject: Re: [senco-forum] Autism - need a plan.              Greg -- you probably are aware that your LA has a legal duty to sufficiently  meet all of your childs special educational needs (not merely to  "accomodate" him -- whatever thaat means). And if there is no specialist  school maintained by the LA, or a neighbouring one? that can do this,  parents have the right to "make representations" to the LA for a fully  funded placement in a specialist independent school -- of which there are a  significant number nationally -- approved by the Secretary of State as  appropraite for children with statements. The LA must take full account of  such representations, and it is a reasonable discretionary power, that they  fund an assessment period in such as school if it likely to meet the child's  needs -- where the LA has no comparable and appropriate provision. And to  fund such a placement if one is offered by the independent school.      ?      If he is tranferring to secondary phase -- the LA must amend the statement  to?name an appropriate type of?school by 15th Feb of the year of transfer.  This is the stage at which?parents can? request a specialist independent  school -- if?they have identified an appropriate one. The LA must  supply?parents with a list of approved schools at this stage -- but if the  LA?has not followed the law here -- the list? (2 seperate lists actually of  slightly differently designated types of independent?schools) is available  on the Gov. Education website -- or ring the LA for copies.      ?      It may be that the school?parents identify is residential -- and weekly or  longer bording may be required to meet his educational needs -- or to avoid  overlong and stressful daily journying. It would be important to establish  that the residential element was for educational needs? / access reasons --  and not to relieve the family of the social stress of caring for the child.  This fact?would ensure that the LA is totally responsible for funding all  fees including the residential element -- and travel costs -- and?so that  the LA?cannot try to off-load the responsibilty fully or partly onto Social  Services -- who do not have the same needs led responsibilty as LAs.      ?      It may be?parents prefer local mainstream -- with a high level of visiting  specialist input -- and full-time 1:1 designated TA and mentoring support  (if?the child is a?"classic" severely affected autistic child -- as  described by Kanner 1943). Whatever?is the parental?preference -- it is  vital?they make strong representations for a strong, specific, statement  that quantifies all neccessary (professionally advised) provision. I suggest  you/they google IPSEA and ring the freephone advice line to become fully  cognisant with?parental legal rights -- and child's legal entiltements --  within the SEN legal framework.? Brendan King (personal advice)                      -----Original Message-----    From: Greg gregory.lambert at btinternet.com>    To: senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk    Sent: Tue, Sep 4 2:34 PM    Subject: [senco-forum] Autism - need a plan.            Hi,    We have a year 8 autistic child. Our education authority says that  there are no,   'specialist' schools to suit his needs, and that if he was  to move it would be   to another secondary school.    Bottom line is, that  we have to, 'accommodate' this child. Parents are demanding   a 'plan'.  Does anyone have an autistic child in their high school?  And does anyone  have   any advice or plans of how we can, 'accommodate' this child?  Getting really stuck on how to deal with this and any help would be greatly  appreciated.         Take care,         Greg    SENCo          Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail!      ________________________________________________________________________  Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! -  http://mail.aol.com        --  No virus found in this incoming message.  Checked by AVG Free Edition.  Version: 7.5.485 / Virus Database: 269.13.5/988 - Release Date: 04/09/2007  09:14      

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