Help - any advise?

[craigheadshron]

My youngest child Sean has Downs syndrome and was 4 in March it was my intention to defer him till 2013 and then send him to mainstream school. At his review meeting yesterday they advised me that because he is likely to need support throughout his school years he does not meet the criteria for deferred entry I feel that he will mature such a lot in a year and will cope better with the social and communication side of it if he has an extra year - I know the gap will increase as he gets older but at the moment he is only 9 months behind his peers! Any advise on arguments to use in an appeal greatly received thanks x

My friend achieved this for her son who also had Downs syndrome. The argument she used that seemed to carry most weight was that he would be disadvantaged socially and his emotional wellbeing affected, but an extra year would minimise this. She had somewhat of an uphill battle with the funding authority, and to a lesser extent the school, but got good support from his speech therapist and portage (sp?) teacher. Good luck.

...has Downs syndrome...

I think yourefired is right - gather support from everyone - gp/ any health professional involved. Get support in writing.

Very good luck to you.