Mild Autism Central London Pre-school/Preprep- It's looking bleak for us

[BabyNeedsHelp]

I have recently moved to London from the States with a recently diagnosed two and a half year old autistic DD (best guess from docs at this stage is "mild" but she has very little speech). Big unexpected changes all round to my life at the moment that I'm trying to get a grip of. I want to get help for DD either ABA at home or preferably a pre-school but so far I'm not having much success. Pre-schools are full (we are in Marylebone but will travel) and the mention of autism draws a long silence and a reinforcing that they are VERY full. Looking to the future, I would like a private school for her but, if the nurseries are anything to go by, it's not looking good. So where do I start ? Are there pre-schools that you know of that may help?

This won't meet your immediate needs, but it might be useful to have Fairley House on your radar. It starts at preprep, but is set up for pupils to attend for 2-3 years than integrate into mainstream. It would be reachable from Marylebone on the Bakerloo line.

Thank you AnotherNewt. I will check that out. Anyone got ideas on a pre-school or ABA source?

The Treehouse Trust have a primary school so may have some info on pre-school options?

These might be worth a look if you want ABA
www.snowflakeschool.org.uk/
www.beyondautism.org.uk/our-schools/rainbow-school
Also might be worth checking out Blossom house in Wimbledon

;problems typing
Make sure you have been referee to your local community paediatrician and have been put in touch with your local health visitor. They should also be able to refer you to a speech nd language therapist. Ask all these people about schools and nurseries. Private isn't always best. Also check out applying for a EHCP.and pop over to the main sen boards

On what grounds are they saying 'mild'? In the UK it is rarer to dx before 3 so only very clearly autistic children get early diagnosed and these don't tend to be 'mildly' affected ( though I don't believe in mild autism myself). You may be coming up against that issue. Have you had any advice from parent services or education in your local area as to what sort of school might meet her needs? I would be casting a very critical eye over private schools. In my experience many are not supportive of autistic children especially where behaviour is an issue, though there are a few good ones. If you want ABA you will probably have to self fund at least initially until you can prove a positive impact. Many families do home programme s to start. It is unlikely the local authority will pay for ABA without you having clear evidence it's working for your child.

I second previous posters about private not being the best for ASD. DD, now aged 10, who has just been diagnosed with ASD, so you could say she has "mild" ASD, has been privately educated all of her primary schooling, and the support was/is rubbish. She is moving to state secondary next year, in a mainstream school but with closed links with an autism special school, so they are tuned to the condition. Sorry I cannot be of more practical help for your needs right now, but health visitor and peadiatrician would be a good start.

A nursery class in a state school would probably offer far better provision and a quicker route to referral/additional support. Some will offer provision for children aged two.

Look at Camden and Westminster state schools, any maintained nursery schools and children's centres. The key words for what you are looking for is 'maintained', 'school', 'community' and 'teacher-led' rather than 'private', 'independent', 'preparatory' etc.

I believe there is a specialist SEND nursery somewhere to the north of Regent's Park?

You might like to set up an ABA programme. I know that Daisy Chain has worked in a number of Private schools and has a good rapport with schools on the whole. If you start an ABA programme at home (without the school) you may find that your child makes so much progress that they ar integrated into the reception class with little support.