Shit, this is forever isn't it :(

[mymatemax]

I mean i have always known ds2's disabilities are forever but sometimes it just hits you right in the face.
Last week he had a new bigger w/chair delivered with a couple more additional support bits added & its big enough for me to sit in, no more little baby w/chairs.
and then today i've been to look at another SN school. We have already agreed that SN for secondary is the only way forward but going looking around secondary schools with SN 6th forms just really made me think of ds2 as an adult for the first time.
We also have a decision, do we send him to the sn school that caters for LD's mostly autism where he will be amongst similarly able children but will be the only one with noticable physical disablities & poss the most complex needs or do we send him to the SN school for children with the most complex physical needs where he will be one of the more physically able & one of only a few who are completly verbal but all his changing physical needs are catered for on site.
Both are wonderful schools & both have their advantages & disadvantages & both cater up to 19 & both could offer him a place.
Fuck i hate this.

[madwomanintheattic]

The first school.

Without a doubt.

and hibernate for a few days if you need to. Sometimes life is a bit of a wet kipper x

[alison222]

definitely the first school. They will stretch him the most to make the most of his abilities.

[mymatemax]

That was my thought too but the second school has on site Hydro, Physio, OT, regular orthotics clinics etc etc & he may actually mainain his current level of mobility there. It is also wher he did his original split placement so i guess its familiar to us (he cant remember) .
The first school may provide more in terms of social stimulation & possibly academically but we would have to attend to all his physical needs via hospital appnts.

To top off my shit day the chemist ahs just delivered all his repeat prescription stuff & it was bigger than my neighbours Tesco delivery

[madwomanintheattic]

i would suggest a one day release (dd2 was in ms but accessed ss for therapy for pd - much younger though) at the most. i would put academic and social above physical needs, and request that the statement includes provision to meet those needs in the more suitable social/ academic environment.

i hated the ss physio. worst one we ever had, though, so i may be biased. she actively appeared to loathe children. good pool though.

how are his physical needs being met at the mo?

[LateDeveloper]

If the second is as good as you think it is then it will be able to differentiate to stretch him.

I'd be tempted to have my dc in place which could keep him mobile and meet his med needs but that might be because even at 7 my ds gets fed up of being taken to many appts.

The thought of having to do loads still with a stroppy teenager is v v scary!

[mariamma]

This isn't a forever decision. You're deciding which set of needs are most pressing for now, ie which set of totally expert input is most important currently. And which benefits he will retain into later life.

Presumably both schools cost the same (ish)? He can switch later if you 'get it wrong', or if/ when his needs change after you've made the right choice for right now.

[madwomanintheattic]

Mmm, I was thinking that the physical needs can be met elsewhere, but the social / academic can only be met in the school environment...

Is his current level of mobility more important that social and academic stimulation? (I know this Is always the teaser - have had many discussions about pd with other parents. I know for dd2 that mobility will always be second - she is nowhere near as complex, but this has always been an accepted fact from v early. We are all different though, and different kids have different priorities)

[starfishmummy]

I'd say the second but only if the staff can stretch him (so to speak) and that he is put with other children who are verbal.

It can be very stressful (for parents and child) sending them to a school which is not geared up for children with physical needs. AMHIK!!