They’re seeking autism specialist school

Evidence and sadly potentially an appeal.

I'd also say it's worth looking at independent mainstream and specialist schools. In our LA there's only one LA maintained specialist secondary school in the whole county for asd students where they can sit GCSEs, but a few independent specialists where they can do this. Some asd children will be ok in a non specialist independent as support tends to be better and the smaller class sizes can make a huge difference on their own for some children.

All schools are different op even asd schools. Some schools will be set up for asd children who are academically in line with their peers so the curriculum will be roughly the same but it may have smaller classes, a slower pace, movement breaks built into the day, things like visual timetables, fidgets etc will just be a part of every day life. Things like speech and language support may be built into the daily curriculum. Some will be set up for asd children who also have learning disabilities so the curriculum will be different and may focus more on basics and life skills.

It sounds like he wouldn’t thrive in mainstream so a Sen schook may be the best solution. In my area there’s two autism specialist schools, one is for children at age related expectations. Most children in that school will do some GCSEs . The other school is for children who are developmentally delayed and those children will typically do life’s skills instead of academic qualifications

I work in an ASD classroom in a mainstream school. If your child is not accessing mainstream I would send them to a specialist school.🏫 The mainstream system is not for everyone and most of our day in our class is managing stress and anxiety in pupils.

This post should say can’t meet DC’s academic needs not can and being full not begin.

@Ricecakesaremyjam

Sometimes my LA works with maintained schools to bribe them into pretending help them offer a more bespoke package outside of their usual remit.

But what you can do is put in FOI requests to the maintained schools, which can be useful evidence. Obviously they aren't required to reveal identifying information on pupils, but you can ask for number of pupils in KS1, numbers per class, the percentages of pupils in KS1 working at whatever level your DS is etc.

There is no hiding unsuitable peer groups, no matter what shenanigans they try with the academic side.

It depends on the school.

My DS goes to an autistic specialist school. After being in mainstream which caused him loads of trauma. It’s a wholly independent school. He’s coming on leaps and bounds. There are so many specialist within the school, Threapy, OT, speech and language etc they just get his needs. Also very small class sizes. Most importantly my DS has always been very academic and they are all for supporting him in achieving GCSEs when he gets there. It’s honestly been life changing. My advice is get out there and start visiting and contacting SEN schools now. The good ones will want to work with you in securing a placement for your child.

It is really hard. I remember being in that catch 22, you can't visit unless it's named but can't name it until you know it is right.
I did phone up schools and say this and they let me look around.
I also agree that it's difficult to find a specialist school with an academic focus. Strange isn't it, when so many autistic children are academically able.
Good luck to you and your son. I hope you find the right provision.

The LA may still force you to appeal I’m afraid.

Maintained special schools can be named even if they object. Sometimes LAs ignore the fact there isn’t a suitable peer group &/or the school can meet DC’s academic needs, especially when the alternative is more costly. And begin full isn’t on its own a reason not to name them.

But if the LA doesn’t name your preference you can appeal.

You have a say in this. Go and visit some SEN schools. See which you think is the right fit for your son.

Don't be anxious. This is fantastic. So many parents have to fight tooth and nail for their child to be placed in specialist provision. It's wonderful that your LA have recognised that your son needs that.
I would advise you not to move away from that LA!

Is your preferred school wholly independent or a section 41 independent?

Unfortunately, the LA may name a maintained SS even if it doesn’t have a peer group &/or isn’t able to meet DS’s academic needs and force you to appeal since the independent SS will be more expensive.

My DHs school is a large mainstream primary. They have an autism unit within the school, and some of the children also attend some of the mainstream classes. It is really lovely and seems to run really well alongside the mainstream classes.
I hope you feel comfortable with whichever school is advised. X x

Look at what they suggest but be prepared to refuse if you don’t think they can meet all his needs including academic. I refused specialist placement for my dd and instead got a bespoke arrangement within mainstream, she was much older at that point (12)

Thanks for sharing :)

@Ricecakesaremyjam

When I first met my son age 8, the idea that he would do GCSEs, let alone go to university, seemed as unrealistic as him being the first man on Mars.
The decision to take him out of special school was one of the most agonising I've ever had to make. It was so important to make the right choice. It was in part a leap of faith, we were very lucky with amazing teachers and SENCOs.
Of course I can't predict the future for your son. But in the right environment he can achieve his potential.
Also remember that as he grows up his views on what is a success may be very different to yours.
I have a friend with a son with ND conditions. He did OK in GCSEs, went to college, dropped out, started an apprenticeship, dropped out, started a second one, dropped out again. He's now training as a tree surgeon and loving it. Very different to what his mum imagined for him, but he is happy and it gives him the potential to have his own business - not bad really

I work with a man with autism diagnosed shortly before starting school. He graduated from a respectable university having done science A levels, does a highly complex job involving huge amounts of knowledge and now we are all aware of his needs (no sudden changes in plans etc and avoid the usual office gossip) he is a delight to work with and extremely reliable in many ways.

Just to add to my previous post, I can identify about 3 years where my son made quite startling levels of progress, other years he made less progress but still moved forward. As long as he was moving in the right direction that was good enough for me