As I talked about in my last post, we're somewhat on tenterhooks at the moment, and hoping that J will get a statement within the next few weeks. This will answer the question of what kind and amount of support he is deemed to need, but I still feel very unsure about what the next few months, and longer, will bring.
Whatever the statement gives, there won't be sufficient funds for him to have full time one to one tuition. And I'm finding it hard to see how he is going to get back in to his classroom. After half term he is going to start going into the year 3/4 maths lesson on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Just for the last 10 minutes to start with, then start going in a few minutes earlier and earlier each time, with the long term aim of him doing the whole hour lesson eventually. He is actually in year 5, but has obviously missed a lot of schooling, so this age group is more on his level for now. My lovely daughter G, is also in this group. The plan offered to J is that he could go in to the lesson and have G on one side of him and his TA on the other. I do have some reservations about this. I think that G has enough to deal with without having to babysit J in her maths lessons too. But if it's a very short term thing that will help J get back in to a busy and noisy classroom then maybe it's ok.
But I've also tried to put the point across that it's very different for J to feel safe and comfortable going into this class, where the children are younger, and his sister is there, to how it will be for him to go back in to the year 5 classroom. It's really so different.
I also wanted to say sorry for not posting as much lately, and talking to everyone less on twitter. There literally aren't enough hours in the day at the moment. With 3 return trips to school every day, plus cooking, cleaning, washing, ironing, helping J with all his schoolwork etc etc something has had to give. I'm also conscious that recent posts may not be as interesting or relevant or helpful possibly as previously. Sometimes for now it's just a question of getting the words out to help make sense of everything a bit.
Thanks for sticking with me x
Don't fret, he will find his way. Mine don't have Autism but 2 are running very behind at school. We do extra lessons for them and try our best but they are just not motivated and find it hard. I'm told they are both dyslexic but I still suspect more CBA! You can only encourage and support which you do. And don't worry about the rest of us, we are here as and when you have a spare minute!
ReplyDeleteI can understand your concerns about your daughter sitting next to J in class; maybe for a very short time but I wouldn't want that to be a long term arrangement or he could lose confidence going back to his friends. Push, push and push harder for more hours. If you're not happy with the statement, appeal. Don't be worried about doing that. They're used to parent appealing.
ReplyDeleteGood luck
CJ x
I know our non-ASD daughter would not like it if she had to look after her sister in school... Fortunately they're the other way round so not likely to happen! Your daughter is v caring if she's happy with this arrangement... You're right though, it's not likely to prepare him for going back with his own age group. Seems crazy to me that nobody is coming up with any better suggestions for you - really, we have to do it all ourselves, don't we?! Sending you virtual hugs, hope you have good friends nearby to talk things over with x
ReplyDelete