Edinburgh school options for a child with autism

[SidandAndyssextoy]

It looks like we'll be moving to Edinburgh. Our child has diagnoses of demand avoidant autism and ADHD, and is currently in an Additional Resource Centre in a mainstream primary with 1:1 support all day.

I'm finding frustratingly little information online about provision, and a really helpful set of people at Enquire and Kindred have suggested I ask other parents for their experiences. The websites of schools seem to give no details at all about provision for additional needs other than using the same wording!

I've found out about Language and Communication classes but I can't really gauge whether they'd meet his needs. I can't easily even find out which of the special schools support autistic children.

Does anyone on here either have opinions to share, or can point me in the direct of other online or FB groups that might be able to help?

Hello, there is a FB group called Special Needs Schools Edinburgh Support Group. Good luck 🌺

Oh, thank you. That’s exactly the sort of thing I need!

www.facebook.com/groups/495538157523959/?ref=share

This might be a group to join for views. It's hard because a school might seem a brilliant setting for your child but not have space as language classes and special schools places are at a premium. And off course currently you cannot visit.

There is another good Facebook group called Ausome families in Edinburgh and Lothians too.

Also, this could be a lovely place for you and your child depending on their age, interests etc

www.theyardscotland.org.uk

Thanks, all. Yes, I’m pretty daunted by the whole move as we’ve only recently got them settled into a setting that is brilliant for them. The presumption of mainstream and the consequent (from what I can make out) reduction in offer for kids in need of specialist provision isn’t I know unique to Scotland but I’ve already been warned that just because we have that provision now we may not be assessed for it in Edinburgh whereas the English local authority I spoke to about a similar move was far more positive about the read across. Who knows what will/would happen in either situation though. I do know that pure mainstream would be a disaster and I am dreading having to ‘prove’ that by watching my child be miserable and lose ground again.

The big issue in Edinburgh is that there's no provision between mainstream and what they call special schools, which are for children with quite a lot of needs. We viewed one for my DS and he found the environment very difficult.

The best bet is probably going to be a mainstream school with a speech and communication unit (sometimes called a hub) attached.

You also need to factor in where you want to live and what secondary provision you want though. Edinburgh primaries are generally good, a NT child will have a decent experience almost anywhere, secondaries are a little different. I always tell parents thinking of relocating to start looking at secondary and then work their way back from there.

Of course, if you are out of catchment for the secondary you want you can apply for an out of catchment place based on need, which you'll likely get, but then you're looking at transporting children across the city. The one huge benefit my DS has had from his local secondary (which isn't great in terms of support) is that he has made friends who he can visit under his own steam.

Hi, yes, they’re currently in a hub-type provision, although it has more resources than the language class ones that I can see online (but no idea how much they are telling us - eg they use a proper sensory room twice a day which none of them appear to have). It’s perfect for them and I hate the idea that they won’t be able to access something broadly the same. I also have no idea what provision might be suitable at secondary yet, as they may struggle more or find things easier! I have two other NT children, one of whom is almost secondary age, so also need to consider catchments for them. My understanding is that transport would be provided for any specialist or communication class placement though?

I'd encourage joining and asking on those groups sid. I do think it's hard to find information out, good luck. The yard is amazing and a nice group of parents too, you may want to phone and ask about their schedule.

Thank you, I have/will do.