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Original poster

Will my little boy go to a mainstream school

80 replies

GrowingUpBesideYou · 29/03/2022 21:47

My DS is 3y2m old, speech and language delayed and possibly has ASD. He can follow some basic one step commands and in the past few months has gone from completely non verbal, to being able to say about 50 words (mostly labelling) and has recently started to string a couple of words together, for ex, "drive car", "climb tree". He has no behavioural issues apart from some frustration when he is unable to communicate his needs. Can feed himself and put his own wellies on. Not yet toilet trained. Very happy in his mainstream nursery but ignores all the other children and likes to do his own thing and play with the toys alone. Doesn't join in with story time and group activities yet but will sit at the lunch table. He can count to 10 and recite some of the alphabet. Sleeps well and is a happy and great boy. I know he is still so young at 3y2m, but I'm already wondering about school and if he will go to mainstream or need a special school. Any experience or advice appreciated.

OP posts:
TeddyBeans · 29/03/2022 21:57

You'll have to apply to a mainstream school anyway to get referred and moved onto a SEN school. I've worked with four ASD children over 2 years and only one of them has made the move to a SEN school.

The child that closest matches your description of your DS has excelled in mainstream education. Once he starts school you'll soon know if mainstream is a good match for your DS

gemsynermal · 29/03/2022 21:56

Hello, I have a 5 year old daughter who has speech and language problems, and a recent diagnosis of asd. At 3 she barely understood a word, even the concept of 'yes'. At her pre school she couldn't answer her name when the register was called because she didn't understand what the register was for (she shouted 'cake'). Like your child, she has no behavioural issues. Now, at school she is thriving. She is still behind other children with regards to language concepts, but she is very much a visual learner. She is a year ahead in reading and writing and average for maths. The teachers have no concerns about her academic ability. We still have a little way to go with the language, but we are confident she will get there. I recommend searching for 'lingle' and 'mumsnet' , she has posted so much advice that I found useful.

Makeitsoso · 29/03/2022 21:52

If you have the option please seriously consider an SEN school. I know some people feel instinctively that mainstream is what they want. But SEN schools are funded considerably more than mainstream schools (even taking into account ECHP support). In mainstream children are often given (very often not full time) support with a TA. Whereas in a good SEN school they will have a trained teacher working with them and aiming things at just their level, it will be a language rich environment with likely more input from SLT, EP, OT etc.

Original poster
GrowingUpBesideYou · 29/03/2022 21:52

Hi, thanks, will post in there!

OP posts:
Rights · 29/03/2022 21:50

OP, I’d recommend moving this thread to the SEN board - lots of experienced parents there who can advise Flowers