URGENT - quick query

[veryquickquery]

Need to send some comments off by email tonight.
Can you please give views on this scenario. Child with probable ASD being sent to a PRU on a course to help improve self-esteem.
Have been told that the staff are not specifically trained in ASD but are as experienced as the staff in mainstream . They have also previously worked with ASD pupils who displayed similar,learnt,unacceptable behaviours.
Would appreciate any views on this. Thanks

[StarlightMcKenzie]

inappropriate.

Who says he has self-esteem issues?

What specific strategies are they going to use over and above mainstream if they are the same?

What are the peers like? What is the risk assessment of their impact on his behaviour/self-esteem?

Having worked with children with similar behaviours isn't the same thing as having worked successfully with those children.

Where are the children they have worked with now? How long has the child who has been there the longest been there?

Ask lots of questions and refuse to agree to this until those questions have been answered.

[lougle]

Why can't the course be delivered in his usual setting?

[inappropriatelyemployed]

How old is the child and what does s/he think about it? No use sending them on a bloody course to help self-esteem if it won't tackle the issues causing the low self-esteem or will make them feel worse.

For example, are they suitably supported in their setting? What will the course do to address the issues leading to low self-esteem for THIS child?

[BarbarianMum]

I think it would depend on exactly what they are offering and I'd want more detail about the experience of the staff involved and the nature of the group he'd be a part of.

A friend of mine works for a PRU. She is a trained teacher and is really, really good at developing and implementing strategies for children with a range of behavioral issues. However her comments about units she has worked in make me think this is not the norm.

[veryquickquery]

It's a course in a small group to help increase self-discipline, understand that there are consequences from your actions,learn appropriate social skills. The option is to agree or likely be permanently excluded.

[starfish71]

Can only give my experience, DS1 who has Aspergers, attends a small PRU and for him it is working. It is not ideal in lots of ways, I wish there was a specialist school within travelling distance etc.

DS had become extremely distressed at mainstream comp and had home tutors for a few months. I was incredibly wary of the offer at a PRU, sure I posted lots on here! And on paper it was not suitable at all but DS gave it a try and he has had very good attendance, they mostly have children there now with ASD or school phobia and they are helping my son to gain confidence, socialise etc.

My LEA are being hard work to deal with, in regards possibly trying a comp with an ASD unit but I will post about that another time.

Sorry for long post. Good luck with it all, know it is very hard.

[OneInEight]

ds1 (10 years, Aspergers) is currently in a PRU which is part of a BESD school following permanent exclusion. I was very worried but in fact he is a lot happier and more settled there than in mainstream. This is likely to be because of small classes and high staff ratios. It is not perfect but so much better than the mainstream school he was at - his meltdowns have decreased dramatically both at home and school. It may be horrible to say this but for me it is also better because I know they can cope with whatever challenging behaviour he decides to throw at them (not that there has been much), is safe and I know I will not get a phone call expecting him to be picked up a moments notice - the stress relief is wonderful.

[cornyblend37]

is his current school suitable for him? Has he had the support he's needed up to this threat of exclusion?
what difference do they think the course will make to his ability to cope in school as it won't change what their staff do surely?

[Eyesunderarock]

Too late if you did the email yesterday, but you could always message tethersend. She is a very smart and helpful poster with extensive experience in PRUs.
She could probably give you more inside info.