Autism

[user1483751930]

Mommies !
My son has recently been diagnosed with Autism with no learning difficulty. He's due to start school next year and I'm very confused. Does all autistic children get statement of need which means he can go to any state school we choose irrespective of catchment ? Or does it depend on child's need / severity ?

Many thanks

[Imaginosity]

Try posting on this board - www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs as there seems to be more responses there. I can't answer your query as I'm not in the UK.

[AllPizzasGreatAndSmall]

A diagnosis of autism does not automatically mean an EHCP (they replaced statements). I think you would only be likely to have one before starting school if the ASD was relatively severe.
I'm surprised you have been told he has no learning difficulty at the age of 3/4; many children's learning difficulties only becomes apparent once they have been at school for some time, whether they have ASD or not.
Perhaps you meant learning disability? Presumably your son's autism is not severe if they can be sure there is no LD.

[user1483751930]

Sorry my bad. You are right , they wrote in report that his learning ability is largely in line with his age.
But EHCP is for all autistic children right ?

[kingscrossnoodle]

ECHP will be based on individual need not diagnosis.

[HeddaGarbled]

The National Autistic Society - autism.org.uk - is a really useful source of information.

Briefly, and very roughly, autism is often described as a spectrum because people can have a diagnosis of autism but have a wide range of ability/intelligence. There are people with autism with severe learning difficulties/disabilities but also people with autism who are highly intelligent, able and talented plus all the stages in between.

However, even the most able will likely have some difficulties in life and education, often around friendships, imaginative tasks, understanding things which are not explained clearly or based on logic and facts. People with autism often like routine and things to happen as expected and can become very anxious when outside their comfort zones. They can also struggle with noisy and busy environments. These are all generalisations but just to give you a bit of a picture.

So, although, a child may be perfectly capable of coping with the academic demands of mainstream school, and sometimes may excel academically, they may still need support with some aspects of school life.

You apply for schools just like everyone else. I doubt your son's needs will over-ride catchment area rules, though if you find a school that you think is particularly strong on supporting students with autism, you could try making a case for him. And you should discuss an application for an EHCP with all the schools you visit. Those who are supportive of an application should go at the top of your shortlist.

[user1483751930]

Thank you very much for a brief reply.

[ExplodedCloud]

From my experience autism doesn't automatically mean you'll get an EHCP.

[emochild]

Autism is not an automatic ticket to an EHCP

You are unlikely to get one before your child starts school -the school has to evidence that they have tried all reasonable strategies to support your child
If a setting can't meet your child's needs without additional funding then you have a more realistic chance of getting an EHCP

There is very much an element of the child has to fail in a setting before they can get top up help

Some children with asd may never need additional funding, some may do fine in primary and really struggle at high school, and some may need additional support from nursery -unfortunately non of this is really predictable

[laughwithmeleelee]

You will need to apply for an ehcp, if you feel he needs one then it goes to a panel! I have 2 children with autism and both have ehcp but had to be applied for xx

[BackforGood]

As other replies have said, 'Statements' were replace with EHCPs (Education, Health, Care Plans) in the Children and Family Bill in 2014.
There is nothing 'automatic' about getting one. The decision - when someone applies - is based upon the amount of difficulty the child has at 'accessing education' which is a broad spectrum in itself, as well as autism being a broad spectrum.
All the big charities (so, NAS -National Autistic Society / Contact a Family) and so forth have information on their websites - or you can call) but the best source of information will be your dc's nursery, as systems are slightly different in different LAs.