Education

Assessment and Statementing

School is not easy for children with special needs. There are behavioural and learning issues. Following a small survey, the Center for ADHD Awareness Canada found that almost 90% of parents of children with ADHD found homework time to be stressful; almost 80% were worried about returning to school after the holidays; and 80% were anxious that teachers would not understand their child's needs.

Some things to consider:

Choices and reasons
Education other than mainstream schools
Home education help
Special Needs in mainstream education
Special schools
Supportive facilities (including ideas for games)
Working with the school
Who can help

Some tips to help children tackle homework

Have a set routine - start the homework at the same time and in the same room

Break down tasks into small chunks

Give simple instructions one by one

Allow short and frequent breaks

Have a stress ball to hand. Researchers have found that fidgeting can help with inattentiveness

Use post-it notes and reminders as prompts

How to Take Action Advice Sheets (added 10.4.12)
Do you have an SEN problem but don’t know what to do next? The Independent Parental Special Education Advice (IPSEA) has produced 40 advice sheets - How to Take Action - written by their specialist legal advisers, to help parents and carers who are struggling to get the special education provision their children are legally entitled to. These printable advice sheets give the steps to take to resolve a particular issue, including who you should contact and the wording you can use in a standard letter. There is also further advice on what to do if that doesn’t work, plus a summary of all the relevant law. Download the advice sheets at www.ipsea.org.uk

Pre-school Children

Portage is a home visiting educational service for pre-school children with additional support needs and their families. It takes place in the child's own home and aims to equip parents with the skills and confidence they will need to help their child, no matter what the child's difficulties may be. Portage offers practical help and ideas to encourage a child's interests and make learning fun for all the family.

www.portage.org.uk - website for the National Portage Association

http://wsgfl.westsussex.gov.uk - information and contact details for Portage in West Sussex

Community Service Volunteers (CSVs) can be used to assist pupils with severe physical difficulties attend college or university. They are paid living expenses and can usually offer several months of their time. www.csv.org.uk

You can get more information from:

Parent Partnership Service
Ambassador House
Crane Street
Chichester PO19 1TP

Telephone: 01243 752115 (helpline)
Fax: 01243 752161
email: parent.partnership@westsussex.gov.uk

www.cafamily.org.uk - Contact A Family factsheet on special educational needs

www.ipsea.org.uk - Independent Panel for Special Education Advice providing free independent legal advice on education issues for parents of children with special needs

www.ace-ed.org.uk - Advisory Centre for Education

There are people who can help:

West Sussex Carers Support Services

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