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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Original poster

Starting reception, ASD diagnosis

52 replies

PaddedRoomForOnePlease · 12/08/2017 11:01

DD received a diagnosis of ASD a few weeks ago. She starts reception at the beginning of September. When would be best to meet the teacher and discuss the ASD and how she is affected by it? I was thinking second or third week after the initial settling in or should I make contact sooner? The whole class will be full time from day one, no phased start.

OP posts:
trinity0097 · 12/08/2017 11:29

Immediately, in fact send an email now with the report attached.

LeonoraFlorence · 12/08/2017 11:33

Definitely as soon as possible so things can be put in place to make the transition easier for your DD. Don't leave it until she has started. From a teacher POV, I always appreciated knowing in advance so I could support the child best :)

2014newme · 12/08/2017 11:36

Straight away for goodness sake don't wait a couple weeks! I would be pissed off if a parent did not tell me their child has Asd! How on earth can teacher cater for her needs if she does not know! Honestly some parents!

Notreallyarsed · 12/08/2017 11:38

2014 did you mean to be so rude? Hmm

OP I'd see if you can arrange a chat with teacher asap and send over reports with a cover note first to give them a heads up.

TheSnorkMaidenReturns · 12/08/2017 11:42

Email the school now. If you don't have/can't work out the teacher's email address, send email to school address marking it clearly for attention of Reception Teacher & Senco.
Ask if you can meet them in the first week to discuss her needs. The teachers may be in for an inset day before school starts, or to sort out the classroom and may prefer to see you before term starts.
Please don't wait until after a few weeks - you need to make sure she has the right support from the start.

Original poster
PaddedRoomForOnePlease · 12/08/2017 12:47

Well thank fuck such incompetent parents such as myself have Mumsnet to put me straight. I have never dealt with a school before and didn't know that they answered emails during holiday periods. I haven't received the written report yet.

OP posts:
BellaGoth · 12/08/2017 12:53

Has she been at nursery / pre-school? If so presumably there will have been some liason between the two. Do the school have absolutely no idea she was being assessed?

My DS starts reception this year and is also being assessed for ASD. His current nursery and future school have been aware from the start. I've had meetings with the SENCO (nursery and school) to discuss his transition and ensure everything is in place for him. The school has also been able to apply for funding to aid his transition. Has none of this happened?

AndNowItIsSeven · 12/08/2017 12:54

When you say a few weeks was it before or after school broke up. Really the school should have been made aware your dd was on the pathway and extra transition sessions offered , teacher observing at nursery etc, a pack put together for your dd.

QuackDuckQuack · 12/08/2017 12:59

It might depend on how she was diagnosed. I've heard of private diagnoses not being accepted by schools. Though you won't know unless you ask.

Original poster
PaddedRoomForOnePlease · 12/08/2017 13:03

She didn't go to nursery or pre-school. It was a shock to get the ASD diagnosis as the GP referred her to the unit for assessment as I was really struggling with her difficult behaviour not autism. The diagnosis was after school broke up and she had had two half day sessions.

OP posts:
Original poster
PaddedRoomForOnePlease · 12/08/2017 13:05

It was an NHS multidisciplinary team diagnosis taking over one year of appointments. At no point did they suggest she had autism.

OP posts:
GreatWhites · 12/08/2017 13:06

How did she get on at the half day sessions?

It is very important that you email/phone. No-one will find it odd or pushy in the slightest.

DixieNormas · 12/08/2017 13:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EnormousDormouse · 12/08/2017 13:13

Hi Padded, I'm a reception teacher and I have some children with ASD in my class next year - I'm making sure my classroom is well set up (e.g, with the same visual timetable as they are used to) and I am lucky that one of our learning support staff will be in the classroom all day for the first week to make settling in as smooth as possible. So I'd agree with previous posters and email the school asap, there may be no-one in school at the moment but if there's INSET days it will mean the teacher has got a heads up for the first day back. Good luck.

Hollyandtheiveee · 12/08/2017 13:13

I would definitely e mail the school with the report. The head teacher will hopefully pick it up. You could leave an answerphone message too, to say there is an e mail that needs checking.

Original poster
PaddedRoomForOnePlease · 12/08/2017 13:14

I have the SENCO name so will send an email, they should receive a report directly but I'll send a copy when I receive mine.

The sessions didn't have any feedback, just drop off and pick up from the classroom door. DD told me a load of nonsense about how they had to sleep on beds and there were no toys so not an accurate report back. She's quite compliant in new situations but it doesn't last long. There haven't been any opportunities to speak with the teacher yet.

OP posts:
Original poster
PaddedRoomForOnePlease · 12/08/2017 13:19

There is an inset day the day before she starts. I'll leave a voicemail to say I have sent an email. I really don't expect the report before she starts, it's not urgent and the service which assessed her is really stretched by the sounds of things. They don't think they will have funding for a follow up appointment so I'm trying to navigate this process alone.

OP posts:
DixieNormas · 12/08/2017 13:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bobbins43 · 12/08/2017 13:37

Get in touch with the school ASAP. Before your child starts is usually good as if your kid needs 1:1 support, it gives them time to hire someone. Plus, you can get photos of teachers and classrooms and things to look at at home.

Do drop them an email and try and see the SENCO or Head on the first day.

DixieNormas · 12/08/2017 13:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GreatWhites · 12/08/2017 13:45

Before your child starts is usually good as if your kid needs 1:1 support, it gives them time to hire someone.

Shall I laugh or cry?

SerfTerf · 12/08/2017 13:49

I'm laughing, myself.

DixieNormas · 12/08/2017 13:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lowdoorinthewal1 · 12/08/2017 14:05

OP, although I really hope for the very best for you and most importantly your DD, I think you need to prepare yourself that, unless the school are very clued up, your DD may struggle in September.

She has not accessed a formal setting before, demonstrates some behavioural issues even in her home setting and TBH, Reception can be a really difficult year for pupils with ASD anyway as they can be busy, noisy settings where the social boundaries are not so clear.

You definitely need to talk to the SENCo ASAP. I'd be surprised if he/she didn't get back to you during the holidays if you email with the information you have put here. Depending on how DD copes and how used to managing autism the school are, you may find yourself on the EHCP route quite quickly. It would probably be worth reading up a bit- have a look at the Code of Practise and read the school's SEND offer (which will be on their website).

SerfTerf · 12/08/2017 14:07

Personally, I'd want a face to face with the class teacher ASAP.