Special primary?

[lovebuggers]

My son is 3 and a half and isn't really putting words together in sentences although he's great at copying. Paedtrician thinks he has autism but waiting fir diagnosis. In the meantime I'm trying to decide for schools. Special school if we get a place? Or will mainstream suffice wuth EHCP in place which myself and nursery are applying for now

As part of the EHCNA there will be assessments that give an indication of what type of setting is appropriate. Not all MS are equal either, some are more inclusive than others.

If you don't have a finalised EHCP by January you must apply for a school place via the normal admissions round. If you subsequently get an EHCP the placement named will overrule any offer made via the normal admissions round. But, if you don't make an ordinary application and you need to appeal due to the LA refusing to issue you will be left needing to make a late application for a school place, and will be left with whatever schools have places left.

I will definitely be applying for a mainstream school well before January

My question wasn't about when to apply and how. I know that. It was to see if anyone had a child similar to my original description, and if so did u find special or mainstream school better

My son goes to a mainstream primary with a resource unit so it's a mix of mainstream and specialist.

He had an EHCP.

@INeedtobealone how's he getting on there? How old is he and was it a speech issue and if so has it got better

It is a speech and language resource, he's 5 and just started year 1. He's been there since the start of reception.

He 'just' has a speech issue, if a child has an autism diagnosis they won't be accepted into our school at least, our area also has autism resources in mainstream schools. He has improved immeasurably in all areas over the past year. Probably thanks to the school and him just developing.

He was only putting two words together at 3.5 and now talks all the time. Still 'behind' in terms of chronological age but closing the gap quickly.

@INeedtobealone that's great he's progressing so well but shockingly awful some schools won't accept autistic children - it's not a disease ffs!! My son hasn't had a diagnosis, he prob will do by June but deadline for school application is January

They aren't anti kids with autism but the resource unit is there for children whose primary diagnosis is a speech and language disorder, such as verbal dyspraxia.

If they have an autism diagnosis it therefore may not be the best place for them due to other needs such as behaviour, sensory needs/occupational therapy, learning difficulties. Hence the resource base for autism in another school/a special school may be more appropriate.

There are plenty of kids at some son's school who have special needs but aren't there for the speech and therapy resource unit.

Have you identified any possible special schools? And/or have you spoken to the Sencos at any primary schools? As others have said, there are also some primaries that have a resourced based unit for children with autism where they spend time across both settings.

I don't know what it's like where you are, but where I am, there is one special school for primary aged children. It only takes children with the most complex special needs, including life-limiting conditions. My friend's DS who is in a mainstream primary and is in Yr3 is completely non verbal and still in nappies and he didn't qualify for a place. (My friend has a tribunal coming up). My point it that the criteria for a SS place can be quite high and you will need reports from specialists to say that this is the only setting that will be able to meet DS's needs.

My DS was non verbal until almost 4. He went to a mainstream primary with full time support. For him, it worked - although that's not to say we didn't have plenty of bumps along the way.
For me, although he found it challenging, he did learn to cope with a large class setting, to access the full curriculum (he is deemed 'academically able') and to rub alongside with his neurotypical peers.

For some DS on the spectrum, if proper support is put in place, they can cope with a mainstream primary. Secondary can be a different matter!

You will also need to think about a peer group for your DS. It's obviously difficult as he's only 3 now but as part of the EHCP process, he will be seen by an EP. They will help to identify his cognitive profile.

If/when you do get an EHCP, you can name an out of borough school or an independent school (although you'll probably need to go to tribunal as the council is likely to object on costs).

The January deadline only applies to applications made via the normal admissions round which can only be for mainstream schools, and a diagnosis isn't relevant to the admissions criteria, so it doesn't matter if DS isn't diagnosed until afterwards. In this case the schools can not refuse admission based on a pupil's SEN. Admissions via an EHCP to special schools, ARPs and mainstream schools are separate and don't follow the same procedures.

Toomanyminifigs you do not need to prove the special school is the only setting that will meet DS's needs. Unless the school is wholly independent the LA must name your preference unless they can prove:

• The setting is unsuitable for the age, ability, aptitude or special educational needs (“SEN”) of the child or young person; or
• The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the provision of efficient education for others; or
• The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the efficient use of resources.

When the school is wholly independent you have to show the LA's offerings can't meet DS's needs or that it will not be unreasonable public expenditure.

@Toomanyminifigs I personally think he will be fine in a mainstream school with support as he attends a mainstream nursery and does well on there although of course I'm no expert.
We do have one school nearby that has a senco unit attached so 50/50 if u like and I've arranged to see it although it can't be until end of November as that's earliest they have

When u say your son was non verbal until 4 did he say any words at all? Or just totally quiet?

My DS said no words until after this 4th birthday. Literally none. He didn't even babble. He did make strange noises in his throat which looking back were, I think, some kind of stimming or sensory thing. I never, ever thought he would talk. It used to break me to hear other DC say: 'I love you mummy' to their parents at drop off at his nursery.

He is 12 now and has an incredible vocabulary (mainly based around his special interests) but still uses language in an 'atypical' way and always will.

I'm no expert (obviously!) but it sounds like your DS is making great progress and if he's saying words at 3 then it's a really good sign.