I have 20 years experience of autism spectrum disorders and special needs both professionally and personally.
My avatar spells out AUTISM!
Always unique, totally interesting, sometimes mysterious!!
A formal diagnosis opens doors and is needed for children to reach their full potential, without it they will be lost in the ‘system’ and it is very unwise to allow any child, with any difficulty to ‘slip through the net’.
Early intervention and total understanding is crucial.
I do not get wrapped up in the label game because to me, it simply doesn’t matter ~ my child is special and unique like any other child, so what if she decides to dance to a different beat.
Whatever you decide to do it is essential you fight, fight, and fight again.
My experience of the 'statementing' system (and i appreciate it may be different from school to school) is that they will fob you off if they can. You, (the ordinary person) has to stand up against 'professional' people who often don't listen.
Schools get a good extra sum of money to provide the necessary extra kit that a special needs child needs. However, they don't have to spend it on that child, it can go in the budget - unless things have changed in the last fifteen years or so.
YOU are the one who makes the difference for him, not the system!
Good luck.
YOU are the one who makes the difference for him, not the system!
You are absolutely right, despite my time within the services I still had a hell of a battle to secure much needed 1:1 support in school, I succeeded but I still battle today to push down the many barriers we come across, I simply won't have any of their red tape.
The only difference for me was that I had all the needed information at my fingertips which a lot of parents do not have and that is an unacceptable battle in itself. 😡