Specialist Residential Colleges for 21yrs and above

[ailywhaley]

Our son is Autistic and is 21 yrs of age. He has an EHCP. We have recently had an Educational Psychologist carry out an assessment. She is saying that he needs a lot more help than what he is currently getting and the only way he will get this is to consider a Specialist Residential College that can provide the correct input to help with his communication difficulties. Are there any parents on this site who have gone down this route and can provide us with help and advice. We aren't sure where to start looking. Personal recommendations from experience would be very welcome.

@ ailywhaley. Hi just spotted this. My son is 20, severely autistic, severe learning disabilities, epileptic and non verbal. The LA decided to cease to maintain EHCP when he finished year 14. After appealing and winning he started at a specialist independent college in March. He was due to start there as a residential student last September but due to the appeal he lost his residential place so is going as a day student until this September. He’s loving it and although I’m worried about him being residential and how he’ll cope I’m excited for him . He’s on a 38 week placement but due to worrying how we will cope in school holidays I wish we’d looked for a 52 week placement. He attends Sheiling College and it really is the most wonderful place. It’s very costly though so you may be in for a battle.

Have a look at Natspec’s website - they do a directory of specialist colleges. My education solicitor spoke highly to me of National Star college at Cheltenham. I’ve been there for a conference and what I saw of it, it was a beautiful setting.