Academic DS with High Functioning Autism. Come on you secondary schools, put your SEN provision on your websites!

[oliviaaah]

That's it really. Just having a moan. My bright DS with aspergers needs an academic secondary school with good pastoral care that isn't too competitive. But hardly any of the websites that I'm looking at for selective non fee paying schools mention SNs at all.

I'd love to hear some good experiences about HFA DCs doing well in secondary. My DS is 8 and in Y3. He is at level 3 across the board and level 4 in science. I think he is probably 11+ material, but he's socially awkward and not at all sporty and I worry about putting him in too competitive an environment.

[trish391971]

My AS son is 16 and thriving in a Grammar School, you have to remember there will definately be at least 10-15% of the kids with AS either diagnosed or un-diagnosed. From about year 9 my son got far better in social situations also and I do think going to a Secondary and being the only one from Primary school helped too as it gave him a fresh start away from the teasing and he is now growing up to be a lovely young man with far less of the symptons he has when he was 8 years old. Do GO FOR IT and GOOD LUCK xx

[oliviaaah]

Oooh thanks Trish, that's very heartening about your son, I'm very happy for you. I think the current statistic for AS is about 1 in 90 and rising, so you'd think every school would have a policy in place, training for staff etc. I'd just like to see some of this information on the websites is all. Anyone would think they were reluctant to admit they have AS children in their school...

[3littlefrogs]

If you live in N. London or Herts I could make a suggestion.

[oliviaaah]

Thanks 3littlefrogs. I'm in west London but would be happy to hear about anywhere that might suit. I'm thinking along the lines of Latymer Upper, City of London, Tiffin, but really deep down I think these places will be too pressurised.

[mebaasmum]

Tiffin certainly has quite a few boys on the autistic spectrum. I have also heard lots of good things about st james,s in ashford for boys on the spectrum but that's fee paying.

[trish391971]

It is a shame nothing specific is on websites although we have had support when needed, I can also truly say that the children are so well behaved overall in my son's school (Wallington) that he has never once had a problem throughout his time at the school but if he did I know the support would have been there. Perhaps ring the schools and ask to peak to the SENCO at each one and ask the question directly?

[Migsy1]

SEN affects lots of kids and it amazes me that school websites don't have more info. 1 in 10-15 kids is dyslexic but that never seems to be discussed either.
IME if you are concerned about your child with a mild SEN you are considered to be neurotic.

[ClothesOfSand]

Your DS would thrive in DS's grammar school. They could easily accommodate the social awkwardness, and have an autism expert come in and speak to all the pupils at the beginning of every year, because there are so many autistic pupils in the school. The girl with autism in DS's form is very popular, and quite a few of the children without a diagnosis are still, to some extent, inclined towards that socially awkward, science focus character type anyway. The school is a very calm, well ordered environment and the pastoral care is very good.

I would contact your local grammar schools and ask them what provision they have in place.

[ClothesOfSand]

OP, sorry, I should clarify we are not near to where you live, but I still think you should be looking at grammars as they would suit your son.

[Lisaletta]

Hi my ds is at private selective school in Yr 7. He has AS and is fairly academic (not great at writing but getting better). He is loving the school and very happy, not made close friends yet but not being bullied and likes hanging out with the others at lunchtime. The school are aware of his problems and there is good pastoral care. DS really enjoys all the academic subjects like history and latin and seems to be coping o.k so I am very relieved and keeping fingers crossed that things will continue to go well. He is not at all sporty but happy to join in PE sessions and has got a lot fitter since joining the school. Like others have said I think there are other kids like DS in grammar/selective indies so I am sure your ds will do very well. He is much happier at secondary than primary which says something!! Good luck

[mummytime]

Part of the problem is that most main stream schools would claim if pushed that they provide for SEN kids, and would talk about their provision in fairly glowing terms, however the reality is variable. From amazing SENCos who really get it, know the system and care about the kids; to those who just stick to guidelines but have limited real knowledge; to those who are great at admin but know little about SEN and rely on specialist staff and so on.

[LocalSchoolMum]

I have academic DS with Aspergers at local comprehensive. He really thrives on being in the top set whereas in a selective school he would most like not be at the top. I think it's so important to have a proper talk with the SENCO and find out exactly what the school can offer. In DS's case, he has a lunch pass so he doesn't have to queue in the main lunch queue, TA who is available for extra support when needed, he's had music therapy, drama therapy, lunchtime social skills sessions. His Tutor emails all teaching staff to warn them of any potential problem with other kids when they arise.
Every child is different and some need lots of competition to motivate them, others like DS, don't really thrive on it.

[Lisaletta]

Local school mum: pleased to hear your ds is doing well. it is such a worry to know what to do with our kids... but in the right environment they have so much to offer. On a more general note, the good school guide do have a questionnaire where schools note what experience they have of certain types of SN so might be worth a look. One state comp I would look at is Ashcroft, outstanding ofsted and have an autism unit on sight so very clued up re ASD.

[TisPityShesAWhore]

DDs school is shite. don't send him there.

[daisysue2]

Have a look at the good school guide website. They have quite a bit about SEN provision for the schools but only those who have provided it. My view being those are the schools that have a decent welcoming provision the others aren't so interested in attracting SEN children.