Mainstream school provision for autism

[ByeGermsByeWorries]

Does it actually exist? Because I'm really struggling right now. For the umpteenth time the primary school have asked me to collect my child from school early because he is having a meltdown, they no longer want him to come to the breakfast or after school clubs and as a result now I will lose my job as there are no options for other hours that I am able to meet. I was already working as bank staff as I can't commit to set hours but now without the breakfast or after school provision they simply won't bother offering me any work because I can't cover the entire period.

I moved DS to this school over a year ago when we moved house. DS is 8 and has ASD and SPD. He has an ECHP and a full time 1-1 as he needs supervision at all times. He only once in a blue moon has a meltdown at home however when he is at school it is all the time because they keep forcing him to spend time with other children some of whom also have needs but no 1-1 of their own due to rejected ECHP, no diagnosis etc so his 1-1 has to take other children on as well to help the class teacher.

This school promised they would be able to handle his needs over and above the other option, even though it was further away they made me feel as if they were better equipped. Every time I collect from school at the normal time I am told everything is fine and he's had a great day. Nobody ever fills me in on the truth.

On some days I will be called randomly to collect him early, then without fail the headteacher will ring me to collect and say there has been "bad behaviour" and "several incidents" all week. They will then enforce some stupid plan such as "he can only come in for half days next week the staff need a break" or "please don't come back until next week now". None of this is documented etc.

I don't know what I'm asking I'm just in tears because I don't know what to do next I can't keep hanging around the house doing nothing all day because they call me to collect. I can't get another job because I have to keep leaving early or can't work when DS is not allowed to come to school. I've already asked about other settings and have been told by the head that there are no places.

I think it varies hugely between MS schools Punx. My son's secondary school is very good at putting things into place, adjusting them when they don't work and talking to me about what he needs (but you're right, they don't pay for it). Primary school on the other hand was bloody awful and they made it pretty clear to me that if I didn't like it, I could just move him (he doesn't have an EHCP).

We are hanging on Clymene. Gcses next year and then he will never have to return to the school, they have let him down terribly. In the meantime we wait and see if camhs will see him for his poor mental health (mostly caused by school).

Unless your LA specifically writes "x hours 1-1" in a child's EHCP, there isn't really any such thing as 1-1 support. Usual wording around hours may say, for example, 25 hours, which does not have to be delivered 1-1. Many LAs state a financial amount, which again, is not a 1-1 obligation.
If a child's needs cannot be met in a mainstream school and the LA agree they need specialist provision, the LA are then obliged to find specialist provision wherever that may be. It does not matter that the local provision is full, if the plan states specialist, they have to find one.
Assuming he is statutory school age, they cannot keep excluding him. I would advise you to contact your local independent parent advisory service to seek advice on that, it is not acceptable.

I'm so sorry @Punxsutawney - the lack of provision/luck of the draw aspect of it is terrible and should be unacceptable. It's taken ££ of private therapy, countless CAMHS sessions and a really supportive school to undo the damage that was done in primary. When he started a group for kids with ASD at CAMHS, nearly all of them (8-12 year olds) were self harming, some of them had been in a&e with suicide attempts and school refusal was v high.

Our children are being badly failed.

@Clymene they really are. It's difficult to explain to people quite how lonely an experience it is trying to support your child. I think we are going to have to go down the private route too. At his diagnosis appointment in September the paediatrician said she could offer us no support and gave us a handout, there is literally nothing available. School, I can't really explain how upset I am with them. Gp, although very sympathetic says that it's an 8 to 10 month wait for Camhs but she's not hopeful of the referral being accepted.

💐 For all the parents trying to get support for their children.

OP, have you done an exhaustive search of all the provision within a reasonable taxi ride of your house (45min radius?). Check for resource bases as well as special schools. Look at the Independent specials as well.

If you can identify provision you want, you are more likely to get it (i.e 'I want x school' is more powerful than 'I don't like this school, but don't know what else').

Is there such a thing as ASD units attached to mainstream classes in the UK? That is one of the provision offerings where I am. It works very well for a lot of students with ASD. DS is 8 and this provision has served him very well.

Is there such a thing as ASD units attached to mainstream classes in the UK?

Yes, but they can be quite difficult to find out about as LAs like to keep them under wraps due to pressure on places.

Yes they do exist. Very few and far between though.

If this option isn't available in your area, would you consider alternative provision through your EHCP?

You might find his allocated banding allows for this.

Alternative provision is usually a smaller setting away from school. They often employ their own teachers and teach science. Maths, English and other subjects. Teaching is either 1:1 or in very small groups.

They have provision for SEMH usually (social, emotional, mental health) and can involve working with animals on a farm, forest schools or equine provision.

There is a lot of other provision out there.

You'll have a SEN Co ordinator at the LA (should be on the last page with contact details) who should be able to help you with this.

Do you have regular TAF meetings to review? These should be every three to four months. This keeps everyone involved in his career and education up to date and adapting what the provide. It keeps people on task and accountable.

If things are not working and he is unhappy and not thriving, maybe consider alternative provision.

He can qualify through this and go on to college.

Yes there are ASD units in ms schools. Not usually in primary though.

I highly recommend joining local Sen and/or ASD parenting Facebook groups. They are the best source of information about what's out there.

And if your area runs a barnardos funded early birds/cygnet course, I can not recommend it highly enough, not least for being in a room with other women who get it. Honestly, the relief is indescribable

Just read your son is in primary school. There is lots of alternative provision for this age group too.

Yes there are ASD units in ms schools. Not usually in primary though.

There are plenty in Primary schools.

I supported a child with Down syndrome in a mainstream school where they did not want him or understand anything .It was hell .

If it's at all possible to find another school move him . Where you have a head talking about bad behaviour etc you are lost .

My son is a TA in an autistic unit attached to a mainstream primary school .He is so shocked and upset to hear about your son .

They don't understand ASD, you do need to move him. Second issue about working I do think you will struggle to have your child in both breakfast club and after school club that's a very long day for an ASD child and involves more transitioning. I've learnt this the hard way and I wish I had known my DC had ASD when I considered childcare. I now work school hours but even then it's a bit touch and go whether I can hang onto my job as DC moves to senior school.

Apologies - not round where I live there isn't.

If the LA are funding a FT 1:1, then the onus is on the school to explain why they can't meet your DS needs with that level of provision.

Of course, you know the answer is because the school aren't using the 1:1 as planned. You need the school to either admit to that and stop doing it or state that even with 1:1, they can't meet his needs. You will be in a better position to access specialist provision for your DS if MS are telling the LA they cannot meet his needs even with 1:1.

An emergency ECHP review is happening next Friday which is faster than I expected. I want to discuss another provision or support to love to a special school. I've absolutely had enough of this one now. This morning my DS told me he wanted to die and is refusing to go to school today because he is sick of being provoked and then blamed.

I wasn't clear - He doesn't go to the breakfast and after school club at the same time or for the full session. It's one or the other and only for an additional 30 minutes and is not every day. Which one it is depends on the start time of the shift I am offered. One means I miss the start of school, one means I miss the end. He isn't wanted in either. He isn't wanted in any special after school activity clubs. He isn't wanted in the during school special activities and is never picked. No childminders want him. Feels like all the staff at the school just want to avoid him so it really is time to find somewhere else. I need to look into where and how though because there is no way I can afford to drive out of the city 2x a day and the ones nearby I keep being told are full. I wonder if there is a waiting list. I just want him to be somewhere he is understood and accepted and not made to feel like a burden

You would get transport for your DS. If you are happy to post which city we can probably trawl for you. I have some ideas about where LAs hide the info!

The school is acting illegally. Read up on 'unofficial exclusion' which is what this is. I would drop into the conversation that you are getting legal advice. That might make them reconsider. Good luck.

Sorry I see that others have mentioned this

Can you get someone to come with you from parent partnership or similar?

This is fucking outrageous OP.

Illegal exclusions.

His 1:1 is HIS 1:1.

Christ. I hope they get their arses handed to them.