[senco-forum] Verbal Dyspraxia

Hello Chris
  Isn't it annoying when something like this happens.  I've had similar experiences and it is very frustrating.
  At the end of your message, you said 'I have since received notification that SSAs working in the class throughout the school will have to attend training course and the support MUST be
delivered during Literacy Hour on a daily basis as required.'  Can I ask who notified you and why it has to be done at a time when it will interfere with a lesson which is teaching the literacy skills the child needs.  I always have worried that children with difficulties are taken out of lessons to be 'mended' and then expected to catch up on the work missed by themselves!  
  Personally, I'd treat the demand to train all SSAs as a bonus - you will have a more highly trained workforce and the training to support this child will help with supporting many others.  But when is the training to be done?  Who by?  And will the SSAs be paid for their time?  If it is in school time, what happens to the children they usually support?  If it is outside school time or their normal hours, they should be paid.
  Then I'd go back to the fact that you are in the position of feeling frustrated by your attempts to do your best for this pupil.  If the child has a Statement, I'd hold an Interim Annual Review (I have had a child with a serious degenerative condition and we held six monthly Reviews for him) and invite all the professionals involved.  If the child does not have a Statement I'd set up a Multi-Agency Meeting to discuss his complex needs.  I'd invite everyone - parents, SALT, Ed Psych, the GP, the PD Team, someone from the Special Educational Support Facility, your Headteacher, the Classteacher and so on.  You might use the Meeting to agree an IEP which includes what the parents will do as well as what you and the professionals will do.  Discuss the proposed IEP with as many of your professional colleagues as possible and make sure you discuss it with the parents as well.  
  I hope the helps.
  Amanda
  Secondary SENCO
  Cornwall

Chris Holt <chris at cholt.fsnet.co.uk> wrote:
  What a start to the new term. Always a very busy period with new admissions
etc.

A pupil in Year 3, that has presented with difficulties since his early days
at school, is giving me sleepless nights.

He has received a great deal of support during his time at school. He has
physical difficulties- Dyspraxia for which has been assessed by the PD Team
and received intervention in the form of group support to develop skills. He
has received speech and language therapy, which has been supported in school
by participation in Salley programme, Sadie Phonics and Time to Talk
programme since his early days at school. He has received regular learning
support, due to MLD and been included in Social Skills programme and Circle
of Friends. 

A referral was made to a Special Educational Resource Facility 18 months
ago, where he could have attended for 2 terms, receiving intensive S and L
support, but parents were reluctant to support application and panel felt
that other pupils would benefit more from the experience. Therefore an
unsuccessful referral!! Educational Psychologist has seen pupil on two
occasions.

Now a few years down the line mother is putting pressure on me. She wants me
to provide support for Verbal Dyspraxia, in the form of a specially trained
SSA to deliver specific exercises on a daily basis. My team are fully
stretched and providing this level of support will be difficult. I have
asked mum to practise before and after school, but she insists that I am
failing her child and has gone above my head to the local authority to
request that high level of support be provided.

I have since received notification that SSAs working in the class throughout
the school will have to attend training course and the support MUST be
delivered during Literacy Hour on a daily basis as required. Do any schools
provide support for sound production during the literacy hour on a daily
basis?

Understandably I am cross, but will always do my best to meet the individual
needs of the child.

Your comments and advice would be appreciated.

Amanda
Secondary SENCO
Cornwall