ASN, Special schools, and relocating

[Zalie]

I'm seriously thinking of relocating to Scotland with my two children, and would really appreciate some help please.

Both my children are autistic - one is primary age with learning/developmental delays and attends a special school, and the other is able to study at an age appropriate level but cannot cope socially/emotionally/logistically with mainstream secondary school and needs a specialist autism provision.

Although my late father was Scottish, he was an only child and his side of the family has now all died. So although that gives me the freedom to consider anywhere in Scotland, it also means I can’t ask anyone for advice.

I'd be very grateful if anyone could help me figure out where in Scotland might be able to provide the two different types of specialist schooling we need. I can’t afford private schools, unfortunately. I'm using Locrating, but would welcome any recommendations for other sites or resources I could try too.

I need to make our home in a detached property (autistic meltdowns can be very noisy!) in a small/medium town with amenities and public transport, as it’s possible that neither of my children will be able to drive. Budget will be £380k, or about £580k with a granny flat.

Thank you so much for any and all help!

hi! would you consider Anstruther? It's a 1/2 hour drive to st andrews, where the nearest train station is, however there is a bus service. within Anstruther there are shops (a co-op etc). You could also try St Andrews itself although from what i understand this is more expensive on average

for your primary age child, i would try st andrews.
for your older child, would they be able to go to a local secondary if there was appropriate support available?

some possible schools include: New Struan School, Camphill school, bucksburn academy, campsie school, kilpatrick school, falkland house school....

Definitely look for a city because that limits the travel problems and there tends to be much more provision (not just educational) for ASN people in cities such as Glasgow

North Lanarkshire is pretty grim in parts, BUT has fantastic schools and support for autistic children (it's why we live here). Housing is significantly cheaper than most other places in Scotland too.

Feel free to PM for more info if you'd like.

Also, for reference, our house is detached, 5 bed and was under £165k just to give you an idea of prices. Edinburgh and Glasgow much more expensive, but still within your budget I'd say.

Thank you so much for the suggestions, I shall investigate them all further! I suspected cities might provide more options, but I suppose I need to find whereabouts in the cities the appropriate schools actually are before considering where to live.

Sleep, unfortunately neither child could cope in mainstream school, which of course makes relocating that much harder. My youngest child has been at a special school from age 4, and my oldest has tried a small mainstream secondary with ASD unit, but simply cannot cope with the necessary integration with the mainstream lessons.

10IAR I know nothing of North Lanarkshire, but will definitely consider anywhere that is great for autistic children!

Thank you all again