Special school is it the right choice ?

[TUTS1]

Hiya Everyone , Im not sure what im after maybe some advice ? My son is diagnosed as GDD with severe speech and language delays . His problems are his understanding is really behind speech is behind he cant read but knows his sounds . He can add up a bit and count to 20 his concentration is bad . He will be 7 in Mar . The school have said he isnt accessing the curriculum in anyway a few sounds have been made re special school but nothing major . I felt it time to go and see a special school . I have come out with such mixed emotions . It seemed most of the children were more obviously disabled . My sons disability is really very hidden unless you were to have a conversation with him to see him in the play ground or at a party you probably wouldnt realise . The children were more obviously disabled than my son but most of them understood and can speak far more than him . So he does fit im just worried if i would be doing the right thing .He is happy at his school at present but not really learning anything . Its such a hard call my heart is saying I should move him but im so scared of making a mistake :( x

No experience of having an SEN child however I've worked in both schools dedicated to SEN children and mainstream. I would feel that if he isn't accessing the curriculum then it probably isn't the best place for him. Have a look at alternatives near to you and then be guided by the schools senco and find a place that is suitable for him and meets more of his needs. A more nurturing environment you may find brings him out of himself and maximises his potential without the need for constant target setting and the feeling of being left behind.

It can be really hard going around special schools but for us they were the right choice. The way the curriculum can be differentiated for an individual child in that setting can bring on huge leaps in development. The teachers won't see him as problematic and the onus is on them to find a way in so he can learn. They will have more time and some of then have access to SALT etc on site.

Children in special schools will all have different issues so comparisons don't mean much. He won't be the odd one out in that setting though.
Hope you find what you need.

Thanks so much for your answers . I think i will have a look at a few other schools before making final decision xxcc

I have a son aged 3.8 who has autism and developmental delay and I have been desperately trying to get him a special school place for September- hopefully we should hear this week.

Not all special schools are the same. We visited 4 and two of those were for children with much more severe disabilities physically and mentally and we knew ds wouldn't fit in there. The other two however seemed really nice and a good fit. The local authority will provide transport for up to about an hours journey so make sure you are looking at all the schools you can. The one we liked best is 25 miles away. I do worry about ds and the journey but I'd rather him spend an hour travelling each way every day to spend 6-7 hours somewhere that is the best place for him rather than walking 10 mins to have a whole day somewhere that makes him unhappy.

My dh and I did struggle with the whole special or mainstream thing and it is quite saddening to look round some of the special schools and realise your child has more severe needs than you thought but special schools are great places with very small class sizes and a lot of support, they can be wonderful.

DS went to a SEN nursery too as he is probably one of those kids you were talking about but he is in a class with children who have autism and speech delays.
I have lots of friends with children in that picture position and they had their kids in MS but by year 1 they could see that the distance of learning between the SEN child and his peers ... The gap became too much and they moved them to SEN or did part Sen part MS.
IMO SEN schools are amazing and the education is tailored to your child's needs.

Thanks you everyone Im going to have a look at a few more schools . Its very kind of you to share your thoughts and memories with me . I feel v scared at the moment as really want to do the absolute best for my boy xxx

Does your son have a statement or EHC Plan? It may be premature to worry about this otherwise.

My son has severe literacy/numeracy issues and speech and language problems. He is however cognitively deemed able. He goes to an independent school (funded as named on EHCP) whether you fund yourself or move forward via an EHCP you will need an educational psychology report. You can either pay privately, or request one as part of a statutory assessment, which you can request yourself from your local authority. Contact your parent partnership or have a look at the IPSEA website for more info. Have you had a formal meeting with your school SENCO?

Hiya Yes he already has a Statement and we are currently in the process of changing over to EHPC. I have since been to 3 SS and none of them seem to suit him . Im so worried of making a mistake its very scary . Im thinking of leaving it another year and see how it goes its just such a hard and life changing decision :(

He has already got an ed phycology report also .