Autism and main stream school

[ThorsMistress]

My DS (4) has been diagnosed with Autism and global delay.

He is the happiest little soul and other than what he is ok with one day and not the next, I have no issues with him.

I’ve had to apply for his school. I have chosen mainstream. We are in the draft process of an EHCP which I will name 2 mainstream schools and a school that caters for his needs specifically. The school that specialises in his needs is notoriously difficult to get in, and the professionals are telling me he will be fine in mainstream. It should be noted he is in a mainstream nursery and is thriving and learning so much.

Has anyone else been in my position? I think I’m doing the right thing and the schools I have chosen both have very good SEN departments. I’m just worried that he’s not going to cope.

Have you been to see the schools you’ve applied for with your child?
When my little one was due to start school I went and had a look around them with him, in the end we chose a special needs school (it was a fight to get him in there).
Its never too late to join a special needs school, so it’s 100% ok to choose a mainstream and see how he gets on there. If needed later on he can move over to one more suited

@Redcupcode yes I’ve had a look at both. His brother went to our top chosen school and they’re amazing. The second choice has been recommended by a few people. It’s going to be a fight to get him into a special needs school as they only accept 8-10 children a year!

I also thought I could potentially move him if necessary

All you can do is make your best judgement now. If it stops working later, then you adjust.

The only thing I regret in my son's chequered school history is that I didn't listen to my gut and remove him more quickly when things got too hard for him. That is not the same as regretting sending him to the school at all.