Schools for ASD gifted children

[IfIwasablackbird]

Does anyone have experience of schools for gifted children who also have SEN?

My child is 3 and going for diagnosis for ASD (most likely).

They have an aptitude for numbers. They can add, times, subtract, divide, see patterns and continue them etc. Time tables being a firm favourite.

Their self care and social skills are way behind, as is speech but she is starting to read, can type simple words and knows things like the alphabet.

We have looked at SEN schools but the academic side just doesn’t seem to run alongside the sensory needs for example.

I don’t think what I’m looking for exists but wondered if anyone had experience of gifted neurodiverse children and the best way to support.

My 4 year old goes to a specialist school which delivers a full curriculum including French. He could read from the age of 3, can do continent puzzles from memory, great with numbers etc but absolutely wouldn't cope in the sensory/demand overwhelm of a mainstream setting. He also has significant delays in other areas and the school he's in support him wonderfully with language development, emotional regulation, OT and skills around independence.

@planAplanB No offence was meant. I didn’t mean to diminish the work you do.
The LA SEN schools I visited here don’t offer much in the way of education.
I even asked at one about encouraging his ancademic anbility and the suggestion (from a staff member) was I visit some other schools if education was key for us.
In the same school the three classrooms I visited all children were watching either tv or devices, with YouTube (not educational shows).
I am sure there are some wonderful LA SEN schools out there.

Thanks @UsefulZombie
Since I posted this we have found a nearby independent autism school. He has his EHCP but we’re just on the waiting list for the school.

Is the independent SS wholly independent or a section 41 independent?

Hi @TorviShieldMaiden have you decided in a school uet? We are in the same position and looking for a suitable secondary school, any advise would be highly approciated

@Relaxinghammock I don’t know what a section 41 independent is.

Some specialist independent schools are section 41 independent schools. The rules for naming a section 41 independent school in an EHCP are different to those for wholly independent schools. For s41 independents, you don’t need an offer of a place and being full is not enough on its own to refuse to name your preference.

Is the school on this list (except the section which lists the schools who have withdrawn from the scheme)?

Yes, she started after half term. It is a small independent specialist provision for children who struggle in mainstream mostly due to EBSA, autism and mental health. She is thriving so far.

I did have to take LA to tribunal, and they then conceded and agreed to consult more schools, this was one of them.

We are in cambridge and My son school is SEN but for more able autistic children. He is very thriving there. There is even 1 kid who already do GCSE and he is still in year 4. What level they teach its all different per kids depend on their ability.

my son cant talk until he is 5 years old but he can read since he was 2 years old. Read proper novel book not graphic children book. He also good in math.

@Femme2804 have pm'd you.

We had to go private there was no other choice as DS’ ADHD needs smaller classes and our local primaries all have class sizes above 32. Independant schools tend to be really strict about potty training and selfcare though. So I’d suggest working on that with him.

My eldest DD (now 7) went to a mainstream maintained (state) school for 3 months. She really struggled in that environment, before she attended I fought for her to have an EHCP due to her joint and mobility issues which the school were still under prepared and mostly unwilling to help accommodate her with.

She was having violent outbursts at school and meltdowns..etc. The issue I feel is that she was bored and under stimulated by her environment. She went to school bilingual and being able to read, write and count really quite well, certainly moreso than the other children in her class could. She loves reading and could read longer books with chapters aged 4 when she started school.

I had a few meetings with the school to discuss challenging her more which I knew would be the key to managing her behavior. Instead they saw her as a 'naughty' child who needed discipline.

She broke her wrist at school on her 5th birthday after being left unsupervised to go down some stairs, something her EHCP specified shouldn't happen. I de-registered her that night along with my eldest DS (now 8). My younger children have and will never attend a mainstream school for that reason.

Aged 5, two months after leaving school, she was diagnosed with ASD/PDA. She wasn't a naughty child, she couldn't cope in that unsupported environment.

I've been home educating since and all of my children are thriving for it.