Which school setting for Autism?

[DallasCounty23]

Hi everyone,

I have another repost regarding my son's proposed statement (NI). Basically everything in the educational psychology report screams non mainstream, detailing several times that he cannot cope in mainstream yet. DS is in Primary 1 (should be Primary 2 but deferred and done two years in nursery). The two years in nursery were far from easy and Primary 1 everything has just gone from bad to worse. We're currently on 1 hour per day but DS has not been for four weeks now as he cannot cope with the classroom, amount of children, noise etc. The CA has essentially been ds 1:1 since he started, he does not enter the classroom. He does know a couple of the children in his class that came from nursery and can play with them in smaller settings outside the classroom. He's fully verbal and very articulate etc but is very behind academically at the moment. School aren't great with sen and it seems that they're happier when he's not there.

Statement has said Mainstream with a 1:1 which I planned to fight and try to secure a unit. However, after viewing a unit I realised that they still do a lot in the mainstream classes too and that this may not work. I've now wondered if Mainstream with a 1:1 may be more tailored than a unit? I was thinking of maybe pushing for Lego therapy etc to be added to his statement also? I don't want to turn his world upside down by moving him and that not working either when he's already been through so much school trauma.

It's all a minefield to me and I'd appreciate any advice or what setting you found helped your child, whether a 1:1 helped etc? My older son is in mainstream with a full-time 1:1 and does great but my younger ds is miles from where his brother is at.

Thanks in advance.

[Headfirstintothewild]

I would look at special schools. Having read this and your other thread I don’t see how 1:1 in mainstream will be able to meet DS’s needs. That is in essence what he is receiving now and DS isn’t coping now. It may be better with additional support via the statement, but 1:1 won’t change the overwhelming nature of a mainstream classroom.

[DallasCounty23]

Thanks so much for your reply, you're always so helpful. When it comes to special schools I've been told we wouldn't stand a chance at present as DS isn't diagnosed with a LD (couldn't sit cognitive tests due to attention span and been told he's too young). I've also been told a special school may set him back as some of the kids may be more severe which will hinder friendships etc which I really wouldn't want.. I'm not sure if there is much truth in all the above, I do know there are children in special schools like DS but I feel like where we stand it'll be an uphill struggle and years trying to secure one.

[DallasCounty23]

I should have said that it'll most likely be an uphill struggle because it's my understanding the EA will have grounds to say we haven't tried the 1:1 provision they're about to put in place?

[Headfirstintothewild]

You don’t need a LD to be eligible for SS. There are different types. If it is the LA, school or anyone connected to them telling you this, take it with a pinch of salt. I would have a look at them. You may have to appeal but you can get a SS without 1:1 in MS via the statement being tried first especially because DS is essentially receiving 1:1 even without the statement.

[Rudolftheorange]

My autistic child is in a specialist school without LD due to sensory and social challenges. This week he has been learning about static electricity, writing based on George’s marvellous medicine on a laptop and doing age appropriate maths. He is in a class of 6 others with a teacher and 2 TAs. The rooms are all sound dampened to reduce noise.

You just need to find the right school.

[Rudolftheorange]

His EHCP went from a 1:1 for two hours in the morning in mainstream mid KS2 to an SEN school.

It’s possible!

[DallasCounty23]

Thanks so much for your reply! This is so positive to know and amazing for your ds! Can I ask if the other kids in his class are similar to your ds? I've been made to believe that a sen school would set my ds back as most of the children will have severe LD. It's definitely a rollercoaster of emotions!!

[Rudolftheorange]

It totally depends on the SEN school. In my child's school the children are all verbal. There is a variation in their abilities but in the main they weren't coping in mainstream because of their sensory and social challenges (or mental health related to this) rather than their academic abilities.

Worth really exploring all the SEN schools locally including the independent ones (these are funded by the EHCP) and seeing what options you have.

My child is at a state school but even so my caseworker and SENCO hadn't heard of it. I found it independently.