Autism / Aspergers - choosing junior school

[MINIBondGirl]

Hi All,

I'm after a bit of advice with regard to choosing the next school. DS is currently 6 and in yr 2. He is waiting to be assessed for Aspergers and is in the process of getting a SEN but which I fear will not be in place in time for applying for his next school.

We have been advised that a small school is better as he has a meltdown over long corridors and playing fields etc and is used to a very small school.

My question is - if you have a child in a similar situation, what criteria are you using to choose a school and if its an oversubscribed one do you have any pointers as to help them get a place.

Any advice much appreciated.

[deaconblue]

our son has been diagnosed with aspergers traits rather than full syndrome but the same applies for him school wise as your ds I would think. We deliberately chose a small primary school - village school 17 children per year. The school has 4 cosy classrooms, a small hall and library. We liked the big field though as ds has trouble with people being in his personal space so needs plenty of room to run around. Luckily his school goes from 4-11 so we won't have to choose again but I wrote a detailed explanation of his problems on our application form for school. We were pre-diagnosis at that point but I wrote down who we had been referred to and what the expected outcome was. The Health visitor told me at the time that schools would rather not go through the hassle of an appeal on SEN grounds so it was worth making ds' SEN really clear on the application. HTH

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Hi Mini

re this part of your comment:-

"and is in the process of getting a SEN but which I fear will not be in place in time for applying for his next school".

Was wondering what you meant by the above, have the school or you applied for a statement document?. Is he on any plan like for instance School Action Plus, is he known already to the SENCO?. If the above has not been done I would write to the LEA and ask for a statutory assessment (because you need to think longer term too i.e secondary school). IPSEA's website is helpful //www.ipsea.org.uk.

I would pay close heed and attention to staff attitudes re SEN generally and take your son along to all visits if possible. How welcoming or knowledgeable is the SENCO?. Schools that put great emphasis on acedemics above all else are places that I would personally avoid. Some schools can feel and are far more welcoming than others with regards to the wide variety of special educational needs.

[PattySimcox]

AtillaTheMeerkat - "Schools that put great emphasis on acedemics above all else are places that I would personally avoid"

I would completely agree with this from past painful experience

[girltalk]

Would agree with the other ladies - small is good. Our DS wasn't diagnosed with AS traits until 11 when he moved schools and found a big environment a challenge. Before he was at a small village school, only 4 classes etc and managed there well. Small classes and lots of attention with teachers understanding he had specific needs, so they tailored certain things for him. He was very bright & had friends so apart from being a bit "different" he managed so well the AS question never came up. Things became more pronounced with a move to a much bigger school.

Go and look round, ask if they have any other AS children and what support / strategies they have. Are there any local support groups where other parents know the schools and are already in the system? Always worth asking around other Mums.

[lindy20]

My son is 12 was dx with aspergers 2 months ago he has home tutor supplied by education authority has been out of school since april 2010 due to his anxieties meltdowns etc he was offered and tried a few times a nurture unit linked to secondary school but is too anxious to visit now not surewhats happening next but waiting for soem help from CAMHS...it all takes time

[Shezibel]

Both of my children (7 & 10 years old) have Aspergers. From past experiences the Senco at a school holds the key to whether a child will get the right support or not. Speak to the Senco at length - ask him/her if they can put you in touch with at least 2 willing parents of children with Autism/aspergers at the school. Ask what inclusive measures are in practise at the school e.g. Bolt holes and quiet areas available during non structured times. Ask about their written practices for recording and evaluating IEP's and how many children with Autism in the school have statements. Give them an example of one of your childs extreme behaviors and ask them how they would manage it.

[MINIBondGirl]

Thanks guys. We have now secured a place at a lovely cosy primary with only 70 students and my son loved it. It really had a good feeling and the staff just seemed to know how to talk to him from the off. Thanks for your advice. SEN is still ongoing and the waiting list for assessment has gone past the 2yr mark now but at least I feel we have the right school.