High IQ + ASD & ADHD boy

[Monkeybana]

We are planning to relocate to UK summer 2021, DS is going to Year 8 next month. He is currently studying in a mainstream school with learning support (primarily on writing and social skills). Should we send him to a special school or mainstream school in UK? Main concern is bullying in a mainstream school as he is very different.

Not as easy as that, he would need an ehcp first which is a fight in itself and then you have to convince the LEA that a specialist is needed (it costs a lot of money).
Sadly you can't just choose.

Special school places are extremely hard to come by and you are unlikely to find a special school placement that can support 2e kids. If his needs are severe enough he should be supported 1-1 in mainstream. As soon as you have an address, contact the inclusion officer at the education authority and start the ball rolling. If you are sensible, you will already have arranged assessments with a new community paediatrician and asked for referrals to any therapy services he accessed (physio/ OT/ speech). Make sure you have up to date Ed psych and therapy reports and get into the system as soon as you can.
The IncO will likely have a good idea of which school can support but you might not have a great deal of choice. It helps to have an older sibling in the school you want. 😂 If you are lucky, the school will have a good learning support unit and you can start discussions with the school. Lots are reluctant until a place is confirmed and won’t discuss provision until they are the named school on the EHCP.

Thank you, very useful.