Medical Grounds Applications to Secondary School

[lambchops27]

Hi all

I this is my first time on this site, I joined today although I have been seeing threads on site for a long while.

My issue is my son is Aspergic and has ADHD, he is very lucky and is very well behaved and bright but not gifted bright. I have put down schools on my application for him in order of preference and I have ticked the box which states he has medical grounds. He does not have a statement and honestly I do not think it will be easy to get him a statement either as he performs in line with average students. He was only diagonsed last year after years of telling teachers and doctors something was not normal with him.

I have put down medical grounds on all applications so far although I wish he could get a place on his ability rather than a medical basis. I have doctors at CAMHS behind me and they are happy to give me a letter confirming he needs to be allocated one of the school choices on the form due to location, social ability and vulnerability (sorry can't spell it).

Although my son is bright in so many ways he is not street wise at all, his grand father will be able to collect him from school or meet him to escort him to a location where I will be able to pick him up. Due to his mental ability he is not able to make his way very far on his own. He would be like a flash red light to danagerous people.

I am not sure how I should have the letter structured in order for it to be accepted as grounds to allocate a place to him. The doctors are keen and have spoken to educational phycologist and have supported the choice of schools made. That helps but what should the letter say?

Anyone got any ideas? I have only got 1 chance at this and I want to make it good.

Thanks all

[prh47bridge]

You need a letter from the medical professionals saying something like "I have examined lambchops son and in my opinion..." Make sure it doesn't say "lambchops tells me..." as that sounds like the expert is simply reflecting what you say. It must be clear that this is the expert's own opinion.

[bossboggle]

Hello lambchops and welcome to Mumsnet!! My dd had special needs at school and I TOTALLY agree with prh27bridge, get the medical profession on your side. If possible ask the person who diagnosed your son to write the letter on your behalf (get hold of their secretary if you can't get them - consultant secretaries are usually very good in pointing you in the right directon too!!) If you explain to your local LEA the situation then you will probably find that they may contact the relevent doctor for confirmation of your sons condition. But ABSOLUTELY get the letter from the professional to say 'I have examined your son and in my medical opinion .....etc etc' as this is a professional opinion from a consultant or doctor and should help to go a long way to getting your son where he needs to be. The educational psychologist should be able to help too, from reading your post it seems that you are in 'the system' already and have some of the people on board to help you. Another thought too, you know what is best for your son, work hand in hand with the medical profession and if you have to don't take 'no' for an answer from the education authority!! Good luck and let us all know how it goes for you!!

[bossboggle]

Lamchops you say that your son was diagnosed last year, I would try and push for a statement of special needs, it's worth a try!! Does your son receive disability living allowance or do you get carers allowance, bet your son looks perfectly 'normal' to the outside world just like my dd does, it's not until you start living with a hidden disability that you find out how it affects all of you not just your son. If you're not on either of these benefits then it is worth looking into. I bet that there has to be someone with your son 24/7 to keep him safe for all sorts of reasons, I have to for my dd and it can be really hard trying to explain to people why she needs a carer sometimes but I wouldn't dare let her out on her own and she's an adult now!!

[Mico62]

I work in admissions but I know all the secondary schools in our boroughs have Transition Managers who liaise closely with primary schools, starting in January before places are allocated if they have designated feeder schools.

I would speak to the primary school SENCO and ask them to arrange an assessment with Community Paediatrician. My son should have been referred in primary school but because he was no trouble he was just seen as 'quirky S'. He was referred and diagnosed in Y9 when I raised another concern with a teacher. Unfortunately at 14 he didn't want any more attention drawn to him so his only support was extra time in exams. He might have had an easier time at secondary school if I'd sought help earlier.

[cory]

The key thing here is that the LEA have to be able to read the medical statement and see from it why your ds needs this particular school, so it needs to be carefully phrased.

Being statemented with a school specifically mentioned helps in these situations as the LEA have to let you have the school mentioned, but that is not to say that you haven't got a chance otherwise- as long as you make it clear to the LEA exactly what he needs and exactly why this school alone can supply it- and that any claims of yours are backed up by the specialist (though he probably won't be able to mention a specific school).

With the transport, remember that all the LEA is required to do is to solve the transport problem in a way that meets your son's needs: they don't have to do it in the way you suggest. So depending on the circumstances, they may prefer to give him a place in a less over-subscribed school and let him travel there by disabled transport rather than be picked up by his grandfather.

If there are any further reasons why he needs to be in one particular school- e.g. it is a smaller school/has specially trained staff etc- make sure those particular needs are picked up and covered by the specialist's letter.

[lambchops27]

Hi all

I just wanted to let you all know that after a sleepless weekend I spoke to my sons doctor at CAMHS and she was a star. We had a full discussion and she agreed with me all the way through the conversation and put pen to paper and sent me a draft of the letter she is going to send to me. I asked if she could be specific in terms of his needs and how the school will benefit my son and she did this too. She has quoted details from the most recent ofsted report and linked it to how she feels the school would be a good choice and actually mentions the name of the specific school too.

I think I have a very sound letter now and hope this helps. I have to be positive.

Thanks all