Advice on independent secondary school choices for high functioning AS

[Mummalou]

our very bright DS has AS, mild until now but with teens approaching this seems to be changing. He has always been mainstream schooled with no special support. He moves to secondary school next September and we are concerned about how he will cope. Does anyone know any mainstream, academic, independent schools who have the facility to cater for AS? We live in London but are prepared to look anywhere. Am seriously stressed and all advice hugely welcome.

I'd imagine there's quite a few independent secondaries who can cater for AS. I think you need to look for one with a personal tutor system and which has a learning support team. Ds's school is very supportive, he's very bright but has little social skills. He's lost in a group and struggles. They have picked up a problem since he returned in September, he's been assessed by the learning support team and has a GP assessment when he returns from half term on Monday. We're in Nottingham. I'd look for somewhere that's supportive. If they are good at catering for the other SN (dyslexia, dyspraxia etc) then this is all positive. Hope this helps

Thank you. I am new to Mumsnet and this is my first message. Nice to have a response! Good point about the personal tutor system, so long as its someone he gets on with!

Mummalou,

I would also be applying for a statement now for him as secondary school is looming. That will also help to ensure that his needs are properly recognised; some places may not take him without a statement.

Is this any help?

Does it have to be an independent school? The reason that I ask is that mot of the ASD specialism is within the state school system.

Sorry - most of the ASD specialism

if you search on the isbi website you can put in meeting AS needs as a requirement.

www.isbi.com/isbi-searchform.asp

How bright and how AS? because quite a lot of boys who get scholarships fall into those categories, and some independent schools will be completely used to dealing with them. PM me if you want