12-10-2004, 04:05 PM
http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/ViewA...eID=884685
THE mum of a boy with Asperger's syndrome says she is worried how he will cope if he is sent to a mainstream school.
Peterborough City Council has told Clare Sharp that her nine-year-old son, Callum, is unlikely to be offered a place at a secondary special school.
Although Callum is very intelligent, his condition means he has problems interacting with other children and coping with everyday life.
Mrs Sharp (32) said: "Callum sees the world as a big mess, and the only way he can cope with it is to try to impose order.
"Callum gets very stressed if there are changes to his routine.
"At secondary school he will have a different teacher in a different classroom for every lesson, which he will find very hard.
"He has to know every little detail about what's going on. If there's a change of classroom or the teacher's off sick, I think it will just flip him.
"He can't dress himself or use a knife and fork, which will cause problems in PE lessons and at dinner time.
"He has a problem with stairs – what secondary school doesn't have stairs?
"He also has an aversion to loud noises, such as bells, buzzers and hand driers, which he will come across every day."
Mrs Sharp intends to apply for a statement of special educational needs from the council. This is a legal document setting out what must be done to meet Callum's needs.
Although he has been officially diagnosed as an Asperger's sufferer and is eligible for a Disability Living Allowance, Mrs Sharp has been told it is unlikely he will fit the criteria for the statement.
A council spokeswoman said: "We have worked very closely with Callum's parents for some time now, and have recently advised them they have the right to request a statutory assessment.
"The majority of children who have a statement are supported successfully in either primary or secondary mainstream schooling.
"Only those children with the most profound and complex difficulties may require special school provision.
"We will continue to work with Callum's parents to ensure his educational needs are fully met."
Mrs Sharp is planning to set up a support group for the parents of children with Asperger's. She can be contacted on 01733 345510.
Factfile – Asperger's
What is Asperger's Syndrome?
Asperger's is known as a "pick and mix" disorder, because different people display different symptoms, which collectively can be recognised as Asperger's.
qPeople with Asperger's are often highly intelligent, but they can sometimes appear distant and aloof, character and emotionally rigid.
It can be difficult for them to adapt to new situations, and they can have intense interests.
It can also cause difficulty with co-ordinating movements and recognising faces.
THE mum of a boy with Asperger's syndrome says she is worried how he will cope if he is sent to a mainstream school.
Peterborough City Council has told Clare Sharp that her nine-year-old son, Callum, is unlikely to be offered a place at a secondary special school.
Although Callum is very intelligent, his condition means he has problems interacting with other children and coping with everyday life.
Mrs Sharp (32) said: "Callum sees the world as a big mess, and the only way he can cope with it is to try to impose order.
"Callum gets very stressed if there are changes to his routine.
"At secondary school he will have a different teacher in a different classroom for every lesson, which he will find very hard.
"He has to know every little detail about what's going on. If there's a change of classroom or the teacher's off sick, I think it will just flip him.
"He can't dress himself or use a knife and fork, which will cause problems in PE lessons and at dinner time.
"He has a problem with stairs – what secondary school doesn't have stairs?
"He also has an aversion to loud noises, such as bells, buzzers and hand driers, which he will come across every day."
Mrs Sharp intends to apply for a statement of special educational needs from the council. This is a legal document setting out what must be done to meet Callum's needs.
Although he has been officially diagnosed as an Asperger's sufferer and is eligible for a Disability Living Allowance, Mrs Sharp has been told it is unlikely he will fit the criteria for the statement.
A council spokeswoman said: "We have worked very closely with Callum's parents for some time now, and have recently advised them they have the right to request a statutory assessment.
"The majority of children who have a statement are supported successfully in either primary or secondary mainstream schooling.
"Only those children with the most profound and complex difficulties may require special school provision.
"We will continue to work with Callum's parents to ensure his educational needs are fully met."
Mrs Sharp is planning to set up a support group for the parents of children with Asperger's. She can be contacted on 01733 345510.
Factfile – Asperger's
What is Asperger's Syndrome?
Asperger's is known as a "pick and mix" disorder, because different people display different symptoms, which collectively can be recognised as Asperger's.
qPeople with Asperger's are often highly intelligent, but they can sometimes appear distant and aloof, character and emotionally rigid.
It can be difficult for them to adapt to new situations, and they can have intense interests.
It can also cause difficulty with co-ordinating movements and recognising faces.