Autism, GDD and school

[ThorsMistress]

My 3 year old DS has recently been diagnosed with autism and GDD.

I knew from early on he was likely to be autistic but the GDD has thrown me quite a lot. But he’s happy, healthy and so so loved.

I’ve been saying posts on social media about children getting their school places and it’s got me thinking about DS and how he will be when it comes to school next year.

He’s non verbal and still not potty trained, although he does hold his wee until he has a nappy on, so has learnt control. He can line up the alphabet in the correct order and he’s the same with numbers. He knows his colours and animals etc.

Is anyone in the same position as me? Or who has been? I am aware we have another year to worry about this but I will have to apply for school in November. I’m panicked he’s going to struggle and it’s silly I know, but it keeps me up at night.

I hope this makes sense and sort for the ramble

I can't help but am following. No diagnosis here but non verbal and limited understanding at 3.5. Will be going school next year. Worried for my ds

Get his ehcp in place , start looking at schools now and get the one you like named in the ehcp . I had my sons ehcp in place when he was 3 , had chosen a school and had it sorted before he started so I could choose the TA and make sure it was all ready for him.
Take charge of thr situation .
By the way gdd just means he is delayed in more than two areas . He may catch up but if not it will become 'learning difficulties. '

I agree, start the process of getting an EHCP for him now so support can be put in place before he starts rather than after. It will also give you the option to look at special/ specialist schools if you want to.

@Putdownthecake it’s a big worry to have. You’re not alone ❤️

@gunnersgold thank you so much for the info! An ehcp has been mentioned by his portage worker. So will look into that asap. Does your son go to mainstream school?

He is nearly 11 and at Sen school now but did ms for 3 years . I visited every single ms in the area and most didn't want to know but I did find one that loved him and wanted him and that's where I fought to get a place . As I said get the ehcp , call schools , choose one and get it named ..

It is in no way as simple as that and takes months / years but start now . Then you can sleep at night knowing you have done the best for your child .

You need 3 terms of evidence for the ehcp so get it going now. Push your nursery preschool.
If he needs 1:1 the school will need to know he's got the funding via ehcp and be advertising next June. Otherwise they won't have money until the following Jan.
Get on your local fb group and ask other sen parents to pm you their experiences of schools.
Get in touch with the school sencos and heads next term. See how they respond and make you feel.

@PicaK

You need 3 terms of evidence for the ehcp so get it going now. Push your nursery preschool. If he needs 1:1 the school will need to know he's got the funding via ehcp and be advertising next June. Otherwise they won't have money until the following Jan. Get on your local fb group and ask other sen parents to pm you their experiences of schools. Get in touch with the school sencos and heads next term. See how they respond and make you feel.

You do not need 3 terms of evidence. That's a myth.

To get assessed for an ehcp "you have or may have send which May require educational input not usually available in mainstream school" (paraphrased).

Do not let any La try and convince you their own wording and way if doing things is legal

They must have regards to the law and follow it. Download SENDCOP and familiarise yourself. Section 6 will be helpful. So will the children's act.

Another one saying apply for an EHCNA. IPSEA have a model letter you can use on their website. They, and SOSSEN, have lots of helpful information on their websites and have advice lines too.

You need 3 terms of evidence for the ehcp so get it going now.

PicaK no you don’t! The only lawful test for an EHCNA is a) has or may have SEN, and b) may need SEN provision to be made via an EHCP.

My son and daughter were both diagnosed with autism and GDD. Ds was dx at 2 and a half and my daughter at just 2. My son sounds so much like your son at that age. He and my daughter grew out of/ caught up on the gdd. My son has 8 GCSEs and 3 Btech A level equivalent. My daughter has a couple of GCSEs and will sit more this summer.
Definitely request a EHC needs assessment, my two had SSEN (pre EHCP) in place before they entered nursery, it was one of the best things I did. PPs are right when they quote the legal test anything else you are told is LA policy and myths perpetuated by schools who are fed LA policy.
Have you asked about Portage? Is ds getting regular speech therapy. I found this book invaluable

@hiredandsqueak your reply has given me hope and made me smile. You must be so proud ❤️ He does have a portage worker currently who is amazing. Speech therapy go into his nursery setting to see him and other children but it’s not as frequently as I would of hoped

I don’t know how appropriate this is but dd4 was diagnosed with Autism and GDD. She has a degree in human biosciences. However, she can and does become overwhelmed by life very quickly, she is unable to budget or regulate herself in many ways eg no sleep pattern, forgets to wash, eat, change clothes. She’s funny and clever but needs 24 hour care. Beats me hands down at uni challenge.

@ThorsMistress That's why you need to secure an EHCP asap because you can get speech therapy in there to be delivered as often as your child requires it. My son's speech therapist performed small miracles and I'm pretty sure that he made the progress he did because of the support he had in place from the earliest of days. He was letters and numbers mad could read long before he could speak and used magnetic letters to make words to get his needs met. He still texts and emails me regularly because he finds it easier than speaking.