[welshie]

hi i have 2 children with different problem Sarah is 15 with specific learning difficulties.Daniel is 14 has speech and language problems is undiagnoised but we know he's on the autistic spectrum he also has had hearing problems and feet problems at the moment he just has insoles but used to have splints when younger his hearing is low but within the normal range so the hospital wont give him an aid even thoughwe feel it would benefit his speech.We know DAns speech is unconected but were sure it doesn't help.Hope were in the right place Rachel x

[johnvb]

Hi Rachel

Nice to hear from you. Sounds like there are similarities between Daniel and our son, who is 6 and also undiagnosed as yet but probably on the autistic spectrum, with speech, language and physical difficulties. Do your children go to mainstream schools? How are they getting on?

Stay in touch,

John

[welshie]

hi john

both are now in mainstream high school with support.
Daniel was in special needs school until he was coming up to 8 when he was intergrated into mainstream lucky he's been a success i chose a differerent school to the one attended by my other two children at the time as i was battling with them to sort Sarah's needs.Lucky the school had a placement for both Sarah and Daniel and there help was fantastic although Sarah still wasn't statemented at that point she got alot of one to one support,and finally she was statemented just before high school.
Daniel still has problems but he copes really well in the school enviroment and actually recieves less help educationally than Sarah.Alot of his problems are around the autistic tendencies social interaction social skills are poor fine motor skills etc.But he has outside support for his speach and physio for his feet still awaiting for occupational therapy.
How's your son doing is in mainstream,have you had to battle for what you think is right for him?It's been a fight since the day i had Daniel to prove that he had problems!

RAchel x

[paula]

Hi!
Know exactly what you mean about it all being such a battle and education is such a minefield! Our son is actually at a Special School for children with predominantly physical disabilities and medical problems. When he first went to the school at the age of three, he was unable to independently walk and used a K - frame. Did not realise at the time how lucky we were to get him into his school as it was really smooth going. Now he can walk although he frequently falls and easily tires. I am sure at some point, education may turn around and suggest that we look at alternatives for in his school environment he is now quite able physically compared to the other students, although there is no way that I can see him going to mainstream at the moment.

Our daughter on the other hand was much more problematic getting her into the right school (have a look at the old blogs to catch up on my rants!) She is now in a special needs unit attatched to a mainstream school (25 miles away!) and is flourishing. We tried three times to get her into the same school as my son but as it has turned out we do feel that the school she is n now is the best place.

What makes me really mad is that everything is such a battle but it does not need to be. Bringing up our children is hard enough and to be honest, some days I do not have much fight left!

[welshie]

it is so frustrating the constant battles for what our children should get,i had to fight for two years to get Daniel's speech therapy back when he left special needs education.Its been problematic in that sense we've also been waiting two years for occupational therapy for him.
I fully understand what you mean about no fight left i have felt like that many times but somehow we always manage to find that little bit more.
Feel free to get in touch if i can be of any help
Rachel x

[johnvb]

The thing that concerns me most is that not all parents are as lucky as us in that we are able to fight the battles. I recently met a mother with 8 children, 2 of which have special needs, and I'm certain that she wasn't getting the help she deserved. Its scandalous really...

John

[welshie]

That is something that concerns me,A young lad in my daughter's class recently got run over while on his bike and it's a terrible tragedy he was in a coma.Turns out he's the carer for his mum and younger siblings one with learning difficulties like mum and the other with Downs who fights for these kids??
Sadly the carer Anthony has lost his leg in this accident heartbreaking

[johnvb]

I'm not sure I can express my feelings for this boy and his family by typing a message. I really hope they get some help from somewhere though.

I've just heard about something called "Children and Young People's Plans" which local authorities are required to have. They set out the priorities and goals of the local authority with respect to children, including special needs. As these priorities and goals may differ from the decisions actually taken by authorities, they can be a useful source of "battle material" when required!

More information about this can be found at:
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/cash/story/0,,2121166,00.html

[welshie]

the one thing thats positive that has come out of the accident is more people are aware and involved with the family just a sad way for them to get help that should of already been there

[paula]

What a sad story! As you say, it is great that the family are now getting extra help but it is a shame that this had to happen. lol