I think i posted a couple of weeks ago about LEA awarding enhanced funding package and about psych agreeing to do ADOS test.

Had phone call today about a school which LEA think will be suitable for DS. Its a good 30 minute drive from home but we will get funded transport. I am going to view the school next week but did have a long chat with the head today who UNsurprisingly had discussed DS with LEA but didnt know about the ODD or the other extreme problems that DS has displayed in MS. i was very frank and open with him about DSs behaviour and it seems that the LEA have been very cautious when explaining and describing DS. He was surprised about DS being restrained and unaware DS had extreme behaviours and needs things that would normally be used for ASD children. He did say he would have to seriously consider the facts before agreeing to have DS at his school and i told him i wanted to make sure he knew the absolute worst DS could be to see if he could cope with the extreme. So when i go and see him next week ive got to get a list of questions together again and need oyur help!

Pscyh has contacted me too and is looking at getting the equipment to perform the ADOS test but has offered to do the 3DRI test, will the 3DRI test show mild ASD or should i force the ADOS????

Hi

sorry, don't know anything about ADOS or the other test.

I think you are right to be very honest about your son to the school. The LEA told us - with great delight - that they had found just the school for DS and yes it would do GCSEs. When we got there it was a lovely MLD school and the head took one look at DSs details and said no way they couldn't provide the right curriculum for him.

I think if this head says no and given that it is already 30 mins away then you might be in with a chance with the Priory one - especially if they take the amount of money they are spending on his enhanced package plus transport.

I would also look and see what the physical layout of this school is like - stuff like room sizes, corridors, outdoor space and space for containment are going to be really important for your chap.

All the best.

I think this is the problem now. We are due to go to appeal in September against the statement. We asked that all people involved with DS be trained in restraint and that he got an enhanced package to go with funding which have both been agreed. We also said we were not happy with MS being named on part 4. Problem is we are being given the hard sell that MS is best aslong as all support there from LEA and we are still not convinced. I suppose the biggest problem is that LEA want to ensure he has a peer group and im more concerned about him having the support to learn the skills to cope with a peer group! TBH he hasnt accessed a peergroup for a year or so now so its not top of my priorities IYKWOM.
LEA are keen to keep looking at MS but i know DS will be too much of a disruption to the whole school and a cause of stress to teachers and i dont know if i have the heart to put DS through the rejection all over again considering this would be his 3rd MS in 2 years!
I think he needs a specialist schoolbut am at a loss as to where that school is becasue the only 2 we can access from our county are residential and over hour and a half away and then there is this priory school which would meet all DSs other needs except possibly the peer group thing BUT i could argue we as parents could meet that via speicalist after school activities etc. BUt i think it would be harder than that to get SENDIST to grant a 60k a year school TBH

You should make the point that peer group is not relevant until he has specialist input as he cannot benefit. Also, put together some peer contact opporunities OUTSIDE school now and you can show that he can have m/s access but not at school and only if and when he can handle it and it is of benefit to HIM, not to keep other people happy.

I will definately argue that its more important to get DS learning to be socially acceptable than it is to have him in an appropriate peer group right now BUT feel they may win that argument as they are saying that special schools and asd units tend to be for children with MLD or SLD and DS is G&T so will struggle to fit in.

great got a letter this monring to say we have been referred to THEREPLAY for the MIM assessment to see how well me and DS are bonded and to help acheive 'adeqyate parenting' apparently!! Well thats brill cos now i feel fab!

DS has had 7 days at the PRU and has been (in teachers words) FANTASTIC!! At home DS has been VERY HYPER and very loud but controllable! I cant help think that maybe the PRU are covering up his 'blips' cos DS has been coming home saying he has been OK not fab! I really wouldnt put it past the PRU especially as we are visitng the MS on Thursday and DS tells me his PRU teacher has arranged to take DS after half term. Im shocked at this TBH as we still havent agreed to this MS and the head has reservations about accepting DS!!!! We have told DS he will visit with me and daddy if we think its a nice school for him.

had amended statement through and some evidence in it SCREAMS that DS needs a special school. I have decided i am going to look at a school that is highly recommended which is about 16 miles away so is a 30 minute drive which should be managable. HAve decieded to DEFO keep fighting for special school and not let LEA talk me into a MS school.

Best of luck in your school visits bonkerz!

thanks magso.
I wish i had visited these other special schools ages ago but i have had trouble finding them!