Autistic son doing surprisingly well at mainstream secondary school

[elliejjtiny]

Ds5 is 11 years old and just started year 7 in mainstream secondary. He is autistic, academically average but emotionally like a toddler. He has an ehcp but he doesn't have enough funding for the provision in section F.

I was so worried about him starting secondary school but he's doing brilliantly. He has to share the TA but she is supervising him in between lessons as well as during. At break and lunch he is taken to get food and then brought to the learning support department where the children who need supervision or find the playground/canteen overwhelming spend break and lunchtime. He loves it there as there are other children with similar needs to him and they have a sensory room.

Unlike primary school i have had no morning meltdowns from him about going to school and he is happy to be going. Such a relief as i was dreading it.

Sounds like the school are doing a good job 👍

That’s fantastic. Well done your boy! Also, it’s nice to hear some positive experiences about mainstream schools supporting pupils with autism. They get a lot of stick , but I do feel its often not a lack of will or compassion, but a complex mixture of circumstances.

Sounds like you have found a great school for him, lovely to hear a positive message!

That's good to hear. My son's starting year 8 today and was very apprehensive this morning. Year 7 was rocky to begin with, but once he started opening up to us and the SEN staff about what he was finding difficult, they put things in place to help him and he had a really good year. He likes hanging out in the SEN dept garden at lunch time.

It is brilliant the first few days have gone well.

Focus on the provision detailed, specified and quantified in F rather than the funding. If 1:1 is detailed, specified and quantified in F, it must be provided and can be enforced if necessary. Speak to the school and the LA (because it is the LA who is ultimately responsible).

It’s great that your DS has got off to such a great start!

Section F is legally binding and must be provided, schools saying there is no funding is not acceptable.

That's great!

Secondary can really suit some children with ASD because they move around the school more so get movement breaks regularly. Also as classes have different people in, the people who overwhelm them can be 'diluted' as they may only sit near them for 1 lesson a day. Sounds like the school have got break/lunch right too. Great when this happens.

That’s fantastic OP! Very pleased for you and your DS.

(have to admit to being a bit envious, mine never made it past year 2 in mainstream and it’s so hard but great to hear improvement in schools are benefiting some kids. I’m sure he will thrive)

Our DS has just gone into Yr8.. he is also autistic and has ADHD. We were really worried when he was placed into mainstream but his school is amazing with him. He gets extra English and maths lessons rather than having to take a language and he met or beat all of his targets last year. Fingers crossed it continues. If you get the right school it makes such a difference. So pleased for you

That's amazing!

My ds started in a mainstream secondary school a couple of years ago. He has ASD and really struggled through primary school so I was very worried about the transition to secondary. He has actually really thrived - it's been amazing.

Thanks for posting OP, this is inspiring. He sounds like my DS who will be starting this time next year. I'm hoping the movement breaks and segregated subjects at strictly scheduled times will suit him.

That’s brilliant news OP. My DD1 had an absolutely awful time in primary but thrived in secondary. The SENCO was amazing, listened to us (parents) and made sure all the staff knew what DD needed. I couldn’t believe how well it all went. I hope it continues for your DS.

Lovely, sounds like the right fit for him with good support.

Thank you. The school are managing to do almost everything in section F, it's just the 1-1 TA he isn't getting as he is sharing her with 2 other children. One of the other children has the same problem with funding and he is supposed to have his own TA as well. The school and i have complained to the LA multiple times but the LA aren't budging.

He's probably just matured

If 1:1 is detailed, specified and quantified in F, you need to remind the school and LA it isn’t optional. The LA is ultimately responsible. You need a pre-action letter. If that doesn’t work, JR will.

Mine did much better in senior school also.

My son did much better at secondary than primary - made lots of friends, enjoyed all the different subjects, chatted lots to the teachers. He didn't want to stay on after 16 but it was a good experience.

Same for my son I've been pleasantly surprised so far he seems happier than he was at primary so fingers crossed 🤞

My DS had a 1-1 when he started secondary, funding was for him but like your DS the TA was shared.

The TA issues ultimately were a large contributing factor to his placement breakdown- DS wasn’t getting the support he needed which then caused a lot of resentment and DS then didn’t want a TA but needed the support.