child with autism not coping with mainstream school

[kylebella]

My child is 9yrs old and has a diagnosis of mild aspergers/adhd after a long hard struggle I have managed to get a supported learning, a group for him and other children in his class twice a week, as he is struggling with the curriculum-Nothing in his classroom is asd friendly and to be honest he is treated the same as a child without a special need. I've had countless meetings at the school as my child is struggling emotionally and academically although popular-has no friends he has suicidal thoughts and hates school-with a passion. He has an IEP which is reviewed every 6 months with the help of an autistic specialist from the local council who seems to be more biased towards the school than my son - she has links with our local parent partnership who I contacted for help and they followed her suggestions more than mine. "Everything is hunkeydorey"! for my son at school in their eyes and its anything but. His class teacher singles him out all the time or shouts at him for being silly and its upsetting my son as its not only him who misbehaves in class but he is the one who gets into trouble- she also shouts at him if his work is poor! Its a well renowned catholic school and I don't think my son fits the bill for the schools standards. I've approached her about this and she point blank called my son a liar! I've searched high and low for another mainstream school that has a better understanding of asd I've found a couple but they are in very rough areas of social deprivation these are not an option. I've been told by my son's headteacher and the LEA autistic specialist that a statement is out of the question as although he struggles my son does not have a learning difficulty. Next Year my son will sit his SATS and I don't think he will be able to cope and i'm worried he will do something silly and hurt himself. Home schooling is not an option as I'm a single mother and need to work. Sorry for going on but I don't know what else to do and could really do with some advice.

[Hulaflame]

Whereabouts in the country are you OP?

[GratefulHead]

I have a child with autism too, he is in mainstream as well and for me it was about getting the right support in place.

Don't be fobbed off about the Statement/EHC plan if you think your child needs one. Contact IPSEA as they can advise,

I also would not rule out other schools even if you don't much like the neighbourhood of them, some schools are amazing with autism and recognising the impact that a classroom environment has on sensory issues.

[kylebella]

hi we live in tyne and wear

[fairgame]

Another one saying don't discount a school just because it's in a deprived area. I took my son out of a good school in a very middle class affluent area and put him in a satisfactory school in the middle of a council estate and it was the best thing I did for him. They were brilliant with him and very supportive. They got him loads of outreach help, he had full time 1:1 including break/dinner even though he was only statemented for 27.5 hrs. When it came to him needing a ss they supported me when the LA tried make them keep him in ms. They had extra money from pupil premium to do loads of extra things with the children. They held the cygnets course in the school and had a few children with asd and were good and experienced with them.

[Hakluyt]

I've searched high and low for another mainstream school that has a better understanding of asd I've found a couple but they are in very rough areas of social deprivation these are not an option."

Why not, if they have better understanding of ASD?

[mummytime]

I would look for another school!

I nearly moved my DD to the school in the most deprived area of where I live - I worked in there and was amazed how brilliant it was, and a great haven for most of the children from the environment they lived in. A friend of mine did move her son from the "nice school everyone fights for" to the "rough school on the wrong side of town" and it was totally the right decision.

I would also go to the GP and try to get a referral to CAMHS if your son has "suicidal thoughts". Do not ignore this, but press them to take him seriously.

[level3at6months]

OP, there are plenty of schools in Tyne and Wear with a better understanding of ASD. Have you tried contacting the SEN service for your LEA for advice?