EHCP?

[rantypantss]

Hi all, posting here as there doesn't Seem to be much traffic on the SN boards.

3.5 year old DS is currently on the asd pathway, very likely to receive a diagnosis over the next few months. Nursery have been talking about applying for an EHCP, which I am all for, although appreciate it’s not always a straightforward task getting one granted. DS currently receives funding via an EHA and it’s made a huge difference at nursery meaning he can have 1:1 support. I mentioned to a friend that we would be looking at an EHCP which if approved will hopefully give us more choice/say in which school my boy attends. However she said, yes but you need to be careful the mainstream schools don’t say they can’t accommodate his needs??? Is this likely to be the case? I know my son will need support in school, but this friend has implied an EHCP is a negative thing, which was not my understanding at all? Am I missing something?

You need the EHCP. If he doesn't have one, then he won't get any support.

The LA will want mainstream named as it's cheaper. You need to ensure the EHCP is explicit about his support.
You almost certainly won't get specialist without an EHCP.

Well that's my thoughts exactly. He can't cope without support at nursery and while there's 18 months until he goes to school, I'm sure he is going to need support. Perhaps she's just got the wrong end of the stick

It's not a negative thing, it means that your DS will get the support that he needs at school. However your friend is right that some Headteachers aren't very understanding of ASD and often say they can't accommodate a child's needs to put you off applying for that school, thankfully this is a minority.
Before you start looking at schools make a list of what is important, things that are essential to support your child to get the best out of his education and how the school are going to ensure that these things happen.
Make sure these things are included in your child's EHCP as the school must do them as it's a legal document.

What PP said. Also keep in mind that since the LA will be invested in keeping him in mainstream if at all possible ( because it's cheaper for them), they can put pressure on schools to accept your child if you think it would be good for him even if the school has said they can't meet needs.

Please don’t listen to your friend, however well meaning she may be. Your child needs and deserves an EHCP.

The ‘EHCP - education’ board is fairly active, a couple of posters who really know their stuff helped me a lot on there. Good luck!

Hi, I teach in a special school with about 75% of pupils having ASD. I agree with what's been said about getting all the support your son requires written into an the ehcp as it's a legal document that is reviewed annually.
It's worth knowing that in order for him to attend a special school (if needed/what was best) he wouldn't be able to without the ehcp. I work with older pupils but am happy to answer any questions if I can help

I write EHCPs and there is an awful lot of rubbish info and misinformation about them. Your LA will try to meet their needs in mainstream because there is a lot of research that shows that inclusion is better for them in terms of peer development and they make better progress overall.
If a school said they couldn't meet need to me and as a professional I believed they were wrong (12 years Teaching experience and former Sendco), I would argue it and if necessary, direct them to take your DC. I would also work with the school to look at what resources they needed to meet need such as 1:1 or specialist training.
If I really felt that their needs couldn't be met by a mainstream, then I would present my evidence to panel for a decision on the best available provision. This panel made up of around 10/15 professionals including Ed psych, OTs etc. It's not about money, it's about need.
If you need any info, please feel free to DM me

Try and get one now, they are harder to get when they start mainstream as schools don't like them as they have to be followed and tie up part of their budget. My youngest got his in Nursery, best thing I ever did. Still struggling to get one for his middle brother who desperately needs one for high school.

Thank you all for your advice - I'm making note of it all. And sorry it's taken me so long to come back.

I'm so touched by the offers of help and willingness to help - you have all made my day (even if it is 2 weeks late)