Medical needs - sensory no uniform / ASC

[Gunhilds]

My child is in y5 and we are looking at secondary schools. She has been diagnoses with ASC and is masking/HF but struggles immensely with sensory processing and especially clothing. She has one brand of trousers she will wear and only sandals all year round. Anything else is unbearable and causes meltdowns. She has been late several times due to struggles with clothing in the morning. She currently attends a school with no uniform. We are not in the catchment for any secondary without uniforms, but there is one just slightly outside.

My question: can this be deemed a social/medical reason to apply for a specific school? I understand she could choose if she had an EHCP, but from my understanding she doesn't require enough support to get one. If she went to a secondary school where they have uniforms and she was exempt due to her needs, she would feel so anxious and singled out that she would refuse to go.

Any insights would be much appreciated. I want to give her the best starting point to her secondary education.

You have nothing to lose by trying. Normally, difficulties arising from ASD would be expected to be met in all schools and wouldn't meet the criteria for consideration under the exceptional medical or social oversubscription criteria. However, your specific situation is a little different from most of those cases. You would need professional evidence showing it is the only suitable school in their opinion. Rather than just ‘mum says…’

I would also request an EHCNA. On their website, IPSEA has a model letter you can use. It sounds like DD needs more support, including sensory OT, than she currently has. Even without a uniform, secondary schools can be extremely overwhelming for many with sensory differences.

Thank you for your feedback. She has had counselling in school as she struggles along with support such as yoga, movement breaks etc. No OT has been offered. The school is accommodating within their resoures and my concern is that going into secondary school will just be such a massive change and bring a whole new set of complications. What are the changes of getting an EHCP with a student that does well academically?

EHCPs are about more than academic ability. I have 2 academically able DC with EHCPs and have supported many other parents with academically able DC to get EHCPs. You may have to appeal, many do, but it is possible. The only threshold to focus on in the beginning is that for an EHCNA. It is relatively low - a) has or may have SEN, and b) may need special educational provision to be made via an EHCP.

Sensory OT won’t be offered unless you push. Many ICBs don’t commission sensory OT on the NHS anymore. If your area does, it is worth a referral. Even if your area doesn’t commission sensory OT, an assessment can still be part of an EHCNA and ongoing provision can be part of an EHCP.