Help with appeal for ds with possibly asd

[maebella1]

Hi,
appologies firstly if i have posted this in the wrong place, but i had no idea where to put it, this is my 1st post.

My son is 3 and has been attending school nursry which is not within my school catchment area along with is older sister who is leaving this year to attend secondary school.

My son currently done not have any diagnosis but he has been seen by numerous peads who are saying that it is more than likely to be high functioning asd, we are at the socila communication clinic in july for his final diagnosis, this is along with other problems such as extreme hypermobilty assessed age of 15 months in gross motor movement, straechy skin, very poor muscle tone and much much more.

He has been refused a place at school as he does not have a statement of special educational needs, this is all new to me but it was my understanding that a statement of needs would not be given to a child so young unless it was an obvious condition (am i wrong??) i have not been offered a place in any other school at to be honest would not think my son would cope if he was moved shcool...

sorry i really seemed to have waffled on here and not really said much! i was just wondering if anyone has had any experience of the appeal process in a situation like this, any advice on where i go and what i should be doing would be great... i have until friday to put my appeal in writing, i have the support of the pead and SALT is there any thing else i should be doing??? HELLLPPP!!!
Debbie

[tryingtobemarrypoppins2]

Hi maebella1 didn't want you to go unanswered. I do teach but I am sure someone who knows much more will be along soon.

When you say refused a place, do you mean in mainstream?? Was he offered another school.

What are his symptoms - you say high functioning asd??

[maebella1]

Thanks for your reply,
Yes thats right he hasnt been offered a place in mainstream school and as i didnt put down a 2nd or 3rd choice (stupidly) he hasnt been offered any school.
He is discribed as a very quiet almost silent child, through the assement from salt they have said that he is able to communicate however he doesnt see the need to do this, he hasnt made any friends in nursey and doesnt mix well. He becomes upset at change, even down to tidying up because he doesnt know whats coming next. He's sensitve to noise hates highpitched sounds puts his hands to his ears, also crouded places. He can be aggressive and has difficulties with conforming to rules, im sure im missing things out but its all become quite normal to me!
Thanks again

[IMoveTheStars]

Please appeal, give the school all the info.

I hope u get the outcome you need x

(your son sounds lovely)

[cory]

Basically, whether he has a statement or not should not determine whether he gets your preferred school. What should be the determining factor is whether the school he is offered can meet his needs in such a way that his learning is not disadvantaged.

So if you have not been offered a school now, the LEA is obliged to offer him a place somewhere- they have a duty to educate him. They do not have a duty to educate him in any specific school of your choice, but it does have to be a school that can meet his needs.

If you think only the school you applied for will meet his needs, then you have to appeal. Your appeal should contain evidence of why only this school will meet his needs: so list his medical or learning needs (supported by letters from professionals!) and explain what it is about this school that means it is the only possible one.

For instance, is it a small school? (if he needs this for his ASD problems), do they have special experience of ASD? do they have special facilities? if he is extremely hypermobile is he likely at any time to be unable to use stairs? (and if so, would this be the only accessible school). But make sure any claims you make about his abilities/needs are supported by a letter from a professional.

[tryingtobemarrypoppins2]

Brill post cory.
maebella1 did the nursery not advise you further about options??

[maebella1]

Thank you all for your advice, i was given no further advice from the nursery staff.
The appeal closing date is tommorrow, i have have wrote a covering letter and have supporting letters from SALT and one of his peads, i have also included copies of developmental reports written recently by other peads.
The school i have chosen is a small school 200 children in infant and junior, the school is based over one level and have ad experience of witking with children with extra needs.
I'll just have to keep y fingers crossed now.
Thank you again for your replies

[tryingtobemarrypoppins2]

Keep us posted and good luck.