France or Sweden?

[allytjd]

If you had to live abroad for a year (a possibility in the near future with DH's job) and you had three primary age boys, one with AS one with a few AS traits and one NT, would you choose France or Sweden?

I seem to remember a poster on here saying that AS wasn't really well recognised in France.

[TotalChaos]

I would say Sweden, as the language barrier would be less, and the difficulties with recognition of AS/ASD in France. I have no experience of life other than brief holidays in either country though, so hopefully someone more expert will come along shortly!

[tribpot]

I'd also say Sweden altho with limited knowledge, having lived in that country but never with an SN child. Language barrier a very good point - much greater chance of having them educated in English.

A lot depends on where in France and where in Sweden, it has to be said. I'd also argue that if it was likely to be longer than a year, France would make more sense than Sweden from a language point of view.

[hereidrawtheline]

I have not been to Sweden but I have heard it is a very accepting place and also as an aside I think it was the country that was voted the best place to live if you are a woman re: equality etc so that must be saying something. I am still upset with France for the revolution though I do love a holiday there.

[donkeyderby]

I haven't heard great things about France; the education system was very rigid though it may have changed in recent years. There was a very sad documentary recently shown on TV about the ASD sister of French actress Sandrine Bonnaire, called 'My name is Sabine', showing her terrible deterioration in the French care system. Only one example though. Not sure about Sweden. Good luck!

[MrsMills]

I have to say Sweden, and we are in a similar position to you. But I have not lived in France so cannot compare it really.

I have 2 boys, the eldest is currently being seen by professionals to try and establish what exactly his needs are (he has many many signs of ADHD but no diagnoses yet), and my second is about to be placed (fingers crossed)in a language school for children with speech problems.

I have no complaint what so ever as they are both receiving the help they need so far. DS2 is receiving extra help with a one to one teacher coming into the school once a week to spend time with him, and DS1 is receiving excellent help from his teacher and all the school staff wh have contact with him.

I'll answer any questions you may have, if I can

[MrsMills]

Oh sorry I should have mentioned we are English but live in Stockholm

[coppertop]

My only experience is of living in France but before I had children. In many ways it's a great country but the sheer amount of administration and paperwork required for everything was a nightmare. I can only imagine that it must be worse if you have children, particularly if there is also SN involved.

[BriocheDoree]

Weeellll...I LOVE living in France! But having said that, I have no experience of living in the UK with an SN child because DD was too young for us to have discovered her SN before we came.
AS is not always that well recognised in France, but it is improving. And it depends where you are. There's one place down South that's got a good reputation, and there's plenty of help available around Paris, although it isn't always covered by Social Security if you need it to be English speaking. Also, if you're on a year's contract, presumably you'd ask your DH's company to pay for English schooling, and there's at least two schools who have good reputations for SN kids. (We haven't gone down that route as DD is here forever so she goes to the local school). DD isn't AS but has lang. disorder with many AS traits.
Anyway, I'm more than happy to answer specific questions about France, particularly if you are going to be in or near Paris.
Can't help about Sweden, though!!

[allytjd]

Thanks for your advice everyone. If we were to move to France it would be Angouleme, if it was sweden it would probably be Stockholm or Malmo. I was good at French at school (got an A at higher!) but am rusty, I have a feeling that DS's will take after their Dad and be rubbish at languages (well not DS3 who takes after me, but he is only 4). Therefore schooling in English is probably best, not to mention work in english for DH! I actually think it might be good for them to live somewhere else for a year and I certainly don't want to stay here alone with them while DH goes off on his own.
DH's company is DH and me!, it would be a film production so don't know what the producers would cough up for, not a lot I wouldn't think in the current climate, its the euro exchange rate that means doing the film abroad rather than here is likely

[cyberseraphim]

I know work colleagues who moved to Sweden to get services for their autistic son. He was at the severe end of spectrum and got fantastic help over there.