[paula]

Hi!

Is it me or do educational psychologists seem to make life a whole lot harder? At present, Elise is in a special needs unit attatched to a mainstream school in a class of four which she finds difficult to concentrate in. She has been back yeared as they wanted more time to do an assessment on her. It was felt by her class teacher that despite attempts at integrating her into mainstream reception that she was not coping very well so her name was put forward for the local special school - class size six. The ed psych visited and did a cognitive assessment as has now decided that Elise has got average intelligence for her age so should go to the local mainstream school straight into reception which is a class of 30! Am I being stupid but if she can't manage in a class of four, how is she going to manage in a class of 30??

Have visited the local school which was in fact really nice but they are adamant that she should be back yeared therefore going into a class of 15 and starting afresh the same as everyone else. Had argument with Ed Psych on phone who was adamant that she should not be back yeared as this would make Elise more immature than she is. Sorry, but even if she has got average intelligence, her attention is appalling and her general behaviour levels when she is not on her own agenda are not much better. Everyone that knows Elise says that this is the best option but because of one person who has only met her four times, this looks to be a battle. Has anyone had a similar experience of Ed psychs or back yearing?

Have had a run of coughs and colds etc etc, feeling knackered and really don't feel that I have got much reserve left for the inevitable fight. Have got meeting with her on Thursday with John as well as feel that there is safety in numbers - this woman is so arrogant and doesn't seem to realise that we know our child best. AAAAAAHHH!

A very stressed and angry Paula   

[kellymum]

sorry to hear your so stressed out paula cant offer you any advice at present but feel i will be going through this process in the future ....
keeping pushing you know yourchild better than anybody

take care

[helen]

Hi Paula.My son has cerebral palsy,learning and communication difficulties(to name a few!)I just wanted to tell you that I totally agree with you about ed.psyc.s . After the most recent  assessment I was told all the things my son 'couldn't' do.There was no real acceptance that he just wouldn't do it for her .She seemed to discount most of the positive things I told her he COULD do.Yes I know my son has problems,but she is not helping.I too feel I have a fight ahead of me.Don't you often think that this should not be the case?!

[Speeds]

Paula - Your ED Psych sounds on a different planet.  I personally have had good ones bar one who just did not do her paperwork - her assessment was fine.

Ask to see another one -  I know easier said than done though

[Julie]

Hi Paula

First of all, it was so nice to see you again yesterday at a Chaos outing.  I enjoyed our chat.

Your situation with Elise rings so true with us too.  Jamie is at mainstream, and while this has been great so far - I am not sure how it will be in the future.  It seems to me that there is a great gap in this area for children such as ours who are intelligent and can cope academically in mainstream, but they find great difficulty in the social side of life at school  We can't find a school which 'fits' them totally and end up having to make a compromise.

I too am fed up with 'professionals' who come into school to assess Jamie and because he has chosen not to name a colour (or whatever) the professional assumes that he can't do it.  This has happened in the past, and it is exasperating.  More worringly, Jamie is assessed each year by a speech and language therapist and last year the therapist proclaimed that he was 'age appropriate' when it was quite clear to the school and myself that this was not true.  Thankfully the school carried on giving him special language lessons 3 times each week (which they didn't have to do) and low and behold an new Speech and Language Therapist assessed him this year and found him to be very much below average in his Language comprehension (he doesn't have a speech problem and can talk the hind legs off a donkey, which can often hide his language problem).

If Elise goes to mainstream will she have a one to one support with her.  It sounds as if she definitely needs this.  Jamie has always had one to help him concentrate and this does work even with 30 in the class.  Many of the Teaching Assistants are now trained in ADHD and Aspergers too.  Jamie has his own visual timetable in class and also has his own workstation where he can retreat if things become too much for him.  This helps a lot. 

I don't know if this has had a bearing or not, but the Omega 3 oil has seemed to help Jamie with his concentration.  Have you tried this or considered it?  Would recommend Eye Q citrus flavour!

Good Luck to you and John tomorrow.  Hope the outcome is a good one for you.  Let us know how you get on.

Best Wishes
Julie

[paula]

Thanks Julie and all!

Had a really good meeting and thanks to a fantastic intervention by the Head, it has been agreed that Elise will be back yeared subject to county approval which we are waiting for. Still not 100% convinced that she will manage in mainstream even with support as her behaviour can be quite challenging at times but we will have to give it a try.

Paula