Mainstream vs Special primary school

[wednesadaayaddams]

My daughter is 3 and has recently been diagnosed with autism.

Her ehcp request is currently in progress and her school nursery has advised me to research special schools Incase that recommendation is made.

She was non verbal back in September but is coming on steadily since starting nursery. She uses her voice at home all the time now, when she never spoke back then, and is now able to form small sentences, uses many many more words than ever before and her comprehension and understanding is brilliant. She is definitely making progress all the time and has not regressed.

She can count past ten. Recognise letters and numbers. Sound phonics. Tell stories using picture books. All this she was unable to do until she started school nursery in September.

I wouldn't say she is particularly high needs from an asd perspective. She doesn't need a huge amount from me above and beyond that of a typical 3 year old. But she does have many traits of autism.

Really I think it's just too early to be able to make a solid decision on schooling and would rather she stays in main stream and we review it regularly and see whether it's still working for her or not.

It's just thrown me a bit because I wasn't expecting to have to think about this!

I'm just wondering how people have made this decision? Is is ultimately parents choice unless it's clear that mainstream is unable to provide what the child needs? Am I being naive or is 3 too young?

Keep in mind that (if you are in England?) the provision is different in every Local Authority.
Not making an 'English centric assumption', but Education is different in the 4 Home Countries, and presumably different again all over the World. I live and work in England so know a bit more about England - obviously disregard if you are elsewhere

Some LAs have quite specific and separate specialist provision for different needs (1 school for children with Autism, one for children with HI one for children with cognition and learning difficulties, one for children with PMLD, one for VI, one for HI etc). Others have many needs all in together.

Many (most ?) LAs don't have enough places in specialist provision for the families who really want them. If you aren't absolutely certain you want specialist provision, there is no way you will be pressurised to send your dd there.

From what you say, your dd sounds like she is making smashing progress and would do very well in a good mainstream school. She definitely wouldn't be considered for a special school place in our authority.

However, I would always say don't assume all mainstream schools are alike or all special schools are alike (or all Resource Bases are alike). They vary hugely, one from another. There are some absolutely fabulous, brilliantly inclusive mainstream schools, and there are some absolutely awful, exclusive mainstream schools. Most, of course, are at various places on the long line between the two. RBs vary hugely in the way they operate. What you ideally could do with doing is visiting the individual schools you might be considering (I realise this is easier said than done whilst we are still in a pandemic and all the restrictions that brings). At least visit their websites and try to speak to a member of staff at the school. It is FAR from idea, but it is difficult for anyone here to say what will be best, as this is so individual to the school.

@BackforGood

Keep in mind that (if you are in England?) the provision is different in every Local Authority. Not making an 'English centric assumption', but Education is different in the 4 Home Countries, and presumably different again all over the World. I live and work in England so know a bit more about England - obviously disregard if you are elsewhere

Some LAs have quite specific and separate specialist provision for different needs (1 school for children with Autism, one for children with HI one for children with cognition and learning difficulties, one for children with PMLD, one for VI, one for HI etc). Others have many needs all in together.

Many (most ?) LAs don't have enough places in specialist provision for the families who really want them. If you aren't absolutely certain you want specialist provision, there is no way you will be pressurised to send your dd there.

From what you say, your dd sounds like she is making smashing progress and would do very well in a good mainstream school. She definitely wouldn't be considered for a special school place in our authority.

However, I would always say don't assume all mainstream schools are alike or all special schools are alike (or all Resource Bases are alike). They vary hugely, one from another. There are some absolutely fabulous, brilliantly inclusive mainstream schools, and there are some absolutely awful, exclusive mainstream schools. Most, of course, are at various places on the long line between the two. RBs vary hugely in the way they operate. What you ideally could do with doing is visiting the individual schools you might be considering (I realise this is easier said than done whilst we are still in a pandemic and all the restrictions that brings). At least visit their websites and try to speak to a member of staff at the school. It is FAR from idea, but it is difficult for anyone here to say what will be best, as this is so individual to the school.

Thank you for this.

I do need to do my research and find out more about the special schools local to us. This conversation only happened yesterday so I haven't had the chance.

From what other parents and the SENCO has said, places are few and far between and the local authority does encourage mainstream education where possible and special schools are intended for children who absolutely can not cope in main stream.

It just seems like an overwhelming decision to make at 3, but while she is doing so well now I appreciate this may change especially later on in school life.

The SENCO said that now is the time to think about it because it can be very hard to find a place in a special school once they have started the school year.

My gut tells me to leave her where she is because she is making progress, and she is settled and comfortable with all of the EYFS staff and surroundings. She is in nursery there now, and would remain there throughout reception.