low stimulus environment for autistic teen

[Debs75]

DS, 16 who is autistic has been sent home yet again from school. The general consensus now is he can't cope due to over stimulation and they are suggesting a low stimulus school. He is currently at a great special needs school which he has been at since he was 4. Last year he was diagnosed with depression and is now under investigation for epilepsy.
He is really struggling at school and is obviously not enjoying it or even getting any kind of education. When i asked where we could find a low stimulus school his teacher said not in our lea area.

Where are we left legally. Do they have to find somewhere for him? Can he leave school and go onto adult services? He needs a huge care package as it was last year without the depression or epilepsy. We are at our wits end now as if he has nowhere to go i will have to quit work or else he will just be stuck at home all day (only i drive and he can't access public transport)
Has anyone else had any contact with low stimulus schools or know how i go about finding one, google hasn't been much help yet and still waiting for education to speak with us

[ouryve]

DS1 is at a school that is pretty chilled and calm, with tiny classes, sas many of the pupils are highly anxious, but it might be a bit far for daily travel for your DS (North Yorkshire) and I don't know if they have the means to deal with such severe medical needs in boarders. Also, most of the 6th form are supported through college, rather than taught on site.

I'm wondering if looking to college options might be more appropriate, given the time scales usually involved in making any changes.

[ouryve]

Check neighbouring areas on Edubase, btw. I know that autism provision in general is severely lacking where you are and in the surrounding area, as there's a campaign to set up an autism free school in the region - it's that bad.

Do you think he could cope with boarding if a place was found slightly further afield?

[Debs75]

I think if it was a case of being at home all day or boarding then boarding would be the better option. There is an autism school which takes boarders in the next county yet less than 10 mikes away. His school atm is the best place for him in our county on paper but they can't cope with him now. Will it be hard to get another county to accept him? His school are at breaking point, he won't be there in September

[ouryve]

It's not so much a case of getting the next county to accept him (though they can refuse if they're "full") as persuading your LA to pay for it because it's the only suitable option. You have a good case, though, if bog standard SS isn't working for him (or them).

[Debs75]

Thanks ouryve they started doing things by the book this last term and DS has been excluded several times. He is on reduced days and after half term will only be going 4 days a week.
Because of DLA messing up they gave us a supporting letter which outlines how they are struggling to cope, its been signed by the head so they can't back out. Head has been in constant touch with LEA and SEN which can only help. I'm going to ring the school and have a chat i think

[ouryve]

Having existing school on side and honest definitely helps. I think it was partly because of two deservedly respected HTs communicating with our case officer that we managed to get DS1's place without going through with the tribunal.

[Debs75]

How old is DS? We are worried that as DS is 16 they might try and put us off and let adult services take over