“High functioning autism” and SEN schools

[jacksmannequin]

If a child who is average/slightly below average academically with a diagnosis of asc really struggles in mainstream school because of the social side of things, I’d they got an ehcp would they be in with a chance of getting into a sen school?

ds is 8, also now being referred for assessment of adhd, he can access the curriculum with 1:1 but is still in the process (long long process) of getting E widen E for an ehcp. Without any 1:1 he just trails off into his own little world and basically doesn’t do anything. He struggles socially, he only has 1 friend who imo is very manipulative and only plays with him when it’s suits him. Everyone else stays away from him basically, I worry about him socially especially when he starts secondary school. I think he’d be better off in a sen school sometimes, any experience?
thanks

Oh god sorry about the typos I’m on my phone. It was meant to say getting evidence for an ehcp

With an EHCP yes.

Most, if not all special needs school require an EHCP plan to attend them.

Yes he has. I teach in one

We weren't able to despite having a ehcp and 1:1 all day

But an EHCP doesn't guarantee a place. I know some definitely not high functioning children who have not been allocated a secondary place because, simply, there are none in the county.

Thank you. Yeah this is what I mean I know the places are hard to get as it is so am doubtful ds would even get in, I don’t know if there are places that are just for children with autism or would they be private?

With an EHCP it is possible to get a SS place for ‘high functioning’ DC. You may have to appeal though.

An EHCP can name an independent (mainstream or special) school.

It’s not primary I’m worried about, they cater well for his additional needs. But I do really worry about big school, he’s going to be targeted, he will be seen as odd. Even though he’s a lovely boy and to us just really quirky, kids can be cruel and won’t want to know about the titanic, sinking ships etc 😆 and the things he comes out with !!

The problem we had is that none of the SEN schools in our area were suitable for High Functioning Autism with no learning disability and capable of a typical amount of GCSEs. DC ended up out of the county at an independent specialist school for secondary. It needed an EHCP though.

What about a mainstream school with an autism unit? Might that be a good compromise?

What is an autism unit? Sorry all new to me only really just started considering all of this !

The problem we have faced with our primary pupils is the assumption that if they can cope with mainstream primary they can cope with mainstream secondary. This is clearly rubbish - we have 50 children in the entire so it is simply not comparable. It feels like they are almost penalised for the primary school providing well for them. I am assuming they will get places on appeal eventually, because they wouldn't cope with secondary any more than my toddler would. There are many knowledgeable people on things like SEND Facebook groups etc OP, who might be able to help. A willingness to fight for what your child needs is probably what makes the biggest difference overall, sadly.

It depends on what kind of special schools are available. I am a special school teacher and all of the special schools I’ve taught in are for students with complex learning difficulties. That includes students with ASD but not where they are able to access the national curriculum at an age-appropriate level.

You need to find out what kind of special schools are available in your local area and the types of SEN they cater for. In some areas there are special schools available for children who don’t suit a mainstream learning environment but can still access the national curriculum but in other areas there won’t be anything like this. Having an EHCP doesn’t immediately offer access to a space in a special school if there are no special schools that meet your child’s needs. If there are no local schools suitable to offer the provision and requirements outlined in your child’s EHCP then you may need to look at special schools out of area or at independent special schools.

This is it - I don’t want him to be too capable and take the place from another child who really needs it, I feel he’s stuck in the middle somewhere

Great info, thank you. I think the area we’re in does offer what I’m after as I know somebody who’s child is high functioning and is at a special school

Some mainstream schools have facilities or specialist units specially for students who need extra help to access the curriculum.
(That's what I meant by an autism unit). Usually in a different building or annex.

A SRP unit in a mainstream might work and give him access to mainstream lessons, as well as specialist support. S&LT unit springs to mind.

@jacksmannequin i would definitely start the process to get an EHCP and start looking at SEN schools in your area and what they could offer your DC. My DC didn’t cope at all in mainstream secondary (after doing well at primary) and their mental health is still really poor from this time. The time spent applying for the EHCP and going through that process meant they had to have tutors at home while a school place was found. If I could go back in time I would’ve listened to my gut feeling that secondary would be a challenge and got the EHCP in place earlier. My DC might have even managed to stay in mainstream with that support in place. Hope all goes well for you

Yes it is possible. It all depends on what is put in the table at the end of the EP's report. In terms of how they describe the provision that is needed to meet your DS's needs.

From what I've seen, if in mainstream primary, it's going to be very difficult to get sen high.

My son has been offered Sen high school, but they are out of the LEA.

Here, several are contacted by the LEA with the ehcp and then the schools decide if they can cater to needs. The school I want hasn't replied yet, but fingers crossed.

My son is in a mainstream with autistic unit. It's been an absolutely wonderful experience for him. He's intelligent, social and very charming (in perfect for him conditions). He's PDA though so struggles monumentally with his emotions and anxiety. But since the unit they have worked tirelessly with him, and he's doing amazingly. I can't ever do enough to thank them!

We have a report from the ep already. It basically states that ds is able to access the curriculum but only when an adult/TA is sat with him otherwise he’s off into his own little world and has a strong urge to move. He can’t focus without someone sat with him going come on what’s next etc (hence the referral for adhd assessment too)

he is so intelligent (about his special interests !!) maths is a weak point though. But socially he is just so awkward and he will get bullied. I know that’s an awful thing to say.

it’s taken 3 years to get to this point (seeing ep and gathering evidence) so I’m worried it’s going to take another 3 years to get the ehcp!

The purpose of the EHCP is to outline what your child’s needs are, the outcomes he should be working towards during his time in education and what provision needs to be put in place by his educational setting (as well as by health & social care, where relevant) in order to meet his needs and ensure he meets his outcomes. Outcomes will usually be written under the areas of cognition and learning, social and emotional wellbeing, communication and interaction and sensory and physical. Some students may not have needs listed under every area.

Provision might include things like 1:1 support, small class sizes, input from specialist teachers or other professionals, therapy input (eg: SaLT, OT, physiotherapy), equipment needs, specialist interventions or strategies, environmental adaptations, staff training, flexible timetable etc.

When choosing a school you will look at whether the school can meet his needs and offer the provision outlined in the EHCP. The school will also be asked whether they can meet his needs through offering the provision outlined. This may mean the provision is already in place or may mean they have the ability to make adaptations and provide these things to meet his needs should he attend.

Most special schools require students to have an EHCP, but that doesn’t mean all students with an EHCP will suit every special school requiring an EHCP. The provision offered by the school has to match the provision outlined in the students EHCP. Things like peer group will be taken into account so a school for children with severe learning difficulties is unlikely to accept a student who is working at national curriculum levels, even if in theory they could meet his educational needs, because without a suitable peer group they likely wouldn’t be able to meet his communication & interaction or social and wellbeing needs.

If there are no local maintained mainstream or special schools that can meet the needs of the child and offer the provision listed then you may need to look at schools out of area or at independent schools. The child’s local authority has a responsibility to educate them so if the only suitable school is out of area or independent/ private they need to fund this, but this is expensive so parents usually have to prove no local schools can meet need, if the local authority feel there are schools which can meet need then it can be a case of needing to go to tribunal. For that reason ensuring the EHCP is detailed in listing the child’s areas of difficulty and needs and the provision they require is really important to ensure that the correct school place can be justified.

You will need an EHCP. Then a mainstream with a SRP is a good option. Places are few though so it is hard to get in. Otherwise it will be a mainstream but some kind of provision in place

Apply for an EHCNA now. On their website IPSEA have a model letter you can use. You didn’t need to wait for an EP report before applying.

With an EHCP, unless the school you want is wholly independent (not all independent schools are wholly independent) the LA must name the parents’ preferred placement unless the LA can prove:
-The setting is unsuitable for the age, ability, aptitude or special educational needs (“SEN”) of the child or young person; or
-The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the provision of efficient education for others; or
-The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the efficient use of resources.
Unless the LA can prove one of these they can, and must, name the school even if the school objects. Although sometimes LAs don’t and force parents to appeal.

With wholly independent schools you have to prove the LA’s proposed school(s) can’t meet needs &/or it isn’t unreasonable public expenditure.