Left Brain Right Brain

Today we got Megan’s finalised Statement of Needs. To say we’re pleased is an understatement. The main points are that:

1. Everything is now quantifed properly.
2. Megan has a phased-in curriculum, allowing her to take a few weeks to build up to staying for the whole school day.
3. Speech Therapy is now specified in the correct section and the Health Authority are now to be officialy consulted and kept in the loop but the LEA have acknowledged that they themselves are responsible for providing the therapy.
4. 32.5 hours additional support per week is now set in stone in her Statement.

All in all, a satisfactory conclusion that was bloody difficult to get. It still appalls me that parents are so neglected by Education Authorities and are actively excluded from having input at certain stages. There needs to be a marshalling of opinion regarding this I think. Do I feel a campaign coming on???

Yesterday, two members of the Autism Outreach Team came to talk to Naomi and I and observe Megan whilst she was at Pre-School.

They both seemed very nice, if a a trifle fixated on PECS (Megan’s speech therapist is not convinced Megan would benefit from PECS). They later met Naomi at what will be Megans Primary School and the three of them met a few of the key teaching staff who will be with Megan- her new form tutor included. Apparently, Megan’s classroom assistants have been appointed and are awaiting clearance hence they weren’t able to attend yesterday but The Autism Outreach Team have scheduled a series of appointments with the school to train the staff in ASD issues.

We’re both hoping that Megan gets a chance to meet her two assistants before term time begins in September as I think it will be very hard for everyone if Megan just ‘goes in cold’ so to speak.

Apparently the school also told Naomi that they’re recieved a copy of the draft Statement- which is more than we have!! Seems like some more LEA-bashing is in order!