ASD and education question - can anyone help ?

[tyres]

Probably the million dollar question but does anyone know where I could look to see the type of provision different local authorities make for education of children with ASD ? I am aware that it varies according to where you live, and am sure that some are better than others. I thought the NAS website had something but I can't find it.

Any help ?
Thanks

[jimjamshaslefttheyurt]

The NAS is meant to have a database of schools, but it's crap tbh - it has missed one school locally that has about 90% of its student body with ASD, and my son's school where a third of the children have autism.

Are you planning on moving, or do you know where you want to go. Local parents usually the best providers of information ime.

[tyres]

We are currently W Sussex. Our paed (who has just left his post so probably felt he could say what he wanted) says their provision is generally crap. He mentioned Leicestershire as being good, and a couple of other places I have forgotten. Our son is 4 and we are currently trying to sort something out for 2009.

[saintmaybe]

Could you apply for schools in Brighton and Hove? Generally rated pretty highly, I think.
Ds2 is taxi-ed in to Brighton ; we're in E sussex.

[rosie69]

Hi tyres your paed was right about leicestershire being very good. from the experience of our daughter who has ASD and is also 4, we have had really good support from loads of local authority agencies right from the beginning, from portage, one to one suport at nursery funded by the county, help with her statement was also brilliant we got exactly what we asked for and they did it all very quickly. They were also very helpful with information about schools and about the level of support we could expect in mainstream and special schools, we chose a brilliant special school which has a high proportion of kids with ASD an although she has only been there a coulple of months she is thriving and there is a noticeable difference in her behaviour and attention, the council also provide a service called autism outreach who visit kids with ASD in school and at home to ensure that they are receiving the appropriate help, this service is available untill they leave school and i can contact them at any time. I know a lot of people have horrendous times just trying to get the most basic education and services for their kids but there are a few decent local authorities out there, fingers crossed hope you find somewhere for you ds!!