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SEN

Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

Original poster

ASD & Private School

29 replies

Lolly2803 · 02/11/2021 14:41

Hi! I have a 4yo son with ASD. He is summer born and I have kept him back from reception this year and plan to send him to reception in 2022. While academically he is not behind I felt emotionally he was so wanted to give him another year at pre school. He is very verbal, very sociable, loves learning and modelling from peers. He struggles a little socially but more from a boundary perspective. He doesn’t really have any sensory issues other than with food.
He goes to a mainstream pre school but I pay for private support with an ABA tutor. He is much better in a class with smaller numbers so I am worried about him thriving in a class of 30 so am considering private school for the smaller class numbers. Does anyone have experience of private schools and ASD? Any help or advice would be great. I’m in Surrey xx

OP posts:
Original poster
Lolly2803 · 07/11/2021 21:26

Does your DS have a 1:2:1? We pay for 1:2:1 at pre school but I don’t think he’d need it forever or in all situations. We are applying for an EHCP. He’s been to pre school many times without 1:2:1 and been fine. We also wouldn’t be able to find 1:2:1 ourselves so would need it funded.
Yes all the benefits you say is what I’m thinking. My DS is so much better with structure and smaller more focussed environments

OP posts:
ChocolateHoneycomb · 07/11/2021 20:59

Our DS1 with ASD is in independent school (now yr6) - if you can find a supportive one then they will be much more attentive than the stretched state sector can be. Independent schools are often less chaotic, smaller classes (dc school has 15 up to yr2 then 18 yrs3-8), more structured in terms of timetables/subject differentiation, all of which often benefit those with ASD.
However,

  • if likely to need lots of 1:1 you might have to pay for it
  • you need to look at the smaller, less-middling academic schools. The academic hot houses are typically less keen on anything that might reduce their league table place.
  • lots of independent schools set loads of homework (ours luckily doesn’t set much til yr5); lots of ASD kids really HATE homework as they feel a strong sense that school is for work and not home. DS1 is in this camp and I am so pleased we are light on hw.
Not anywhere near Surrey but good luck
Original poster
Lolly2803 · 02/11/2021 20:48

Yes we are in the assessment process now. I had heard that. His twin goes to an ABA school and has an EHCP already. But they are polar opposites.

Just wondering if anyone had gone down the private route and had any experiences to share really. Or knew about private schools in Surrey and SEN etc

OP posts:
Imitatingdory · 02/11/2021 20:28

Independent schools aren't always supportive of pupils with SEN, and when they are they often charge parents for the extra support.

Have you thought about applying for an EHCP?