School advice for 5 yo diagnosed with ASD / PDA

[SurreyMum85]

I’d love some advice on schools from parents (or teachers) who have ‘been there’. My 5 yo son has recently been diagnosed with ASD / PDA, and in the process of (hopefully) getting an EHCP. He is not getting on well in his large infant school. He is bright but gets sensory overload and lashes out. Hence he’s been separated from his classmates and now has huge anxiety issues in a bigger group setting. I know we need to change schools but unsure where to turn. Might a mainstream school with a high-coin unit be good for him? Or a specialist school for kids with high-functioning autism? Or even, does anyone know of any small, caring private schools in Surrey /
Oxfordshire / Buckinghamshire that are good with SEN kids and have plenty of outdoor space (which he loves)? Any advice or thoughts gratefully received! Thank you 🙏

Hi, I’m I’ve just been through the ehcp process for my 4 year old that is due to start school in September, she was diagnosed with autism with a pda profile last year. I know how hard it can be with a pda child but what I have found along our journey of schools is the LA recommend mainstream school, her school will be a village school with 100 children but with the ehcp she will have full 1-1 which will make a big difference, I have visited a few school which the headteachers has said that some children start mainstream with similar needs and then move to a special setting, I am from Oxfordshire and as far as I am aware, special schools that are more for pda autistic children start at 7 years old. We are going to give the primary school a go with the ehcp and go from there, if they suggest special school in the future then we will fight for that as and when it is needed. But for you a ehcp is definitely needed, schools don’t know to much about pda so they need clear instructions to follow to provide the right support for your child. Also look around different mainstream schools I have found some are excellent with sen children whereas some just don’t want them there.

This is super helpful, thank you! It’s so hard to know what will be the right fit isn’t it? I think you’re right to give a mainstream a go - it
sounds like you have the best possible set up, with the EHCP in place. If we’d known more about our son and his needs when he started school I think he would be in much less of a mess now. Do you have any recommendations on small, SEN-friendly mainstream schools in your area (or beyond, if you happen to have heard of any)? Thanks in advance!

When you say you are in the process of hopefully getting an EHCP, where are you in the process?

Has DS had a sensory OT assessment? What support is the school currently providing and what have they tried but hasn’t worked?

With PDA and DS lashing out, it is unlikely a mainstream independent would admit.

Units work for some, but for some who are overwhelmed from a sensory PoV in mainstream find the same in units as part of maisntream schools.

Thanks for your response 🙏 We’re only up to EHCNA, so early days. I did wonder that re: mainstream independent (and he’s been rejected from one we applied for previously). He’s had an OT assessment and the school is adamant they’re doing all the ‘right things’ to support him (ie movement breaks, sensory circuits, small group work etc.), but I think the damage was done previously and irrespective of whether they’re doing what’s best for him now, he needs a fresh start. I was hoping / thinking that a school with a coin unit might be a good happy medium, but do you do you think looking at a specialist school might be the best option? He’s really capable, but at the moment he’s so unsettled and de-regulated that it’s hard to get the best out of him (or anything, on some days) academically.

Make sure the LA sticks to the statutory timescales.

I would look at all possibilities.

I’d be more inclined towards a special school for a child with a PDA profile. The level of demand expected as a basic in a mainstream school is a lot to cope with, even with special provision. It makes it extra hard for children to build relationships with their peers.

Hello, may I ask where you got to with your school search? My 5yr old boy has just been (privately) diagnosed with ASD PDA and sensory processing disorder and we are looking at all options possible, in parallel to enduring the local authorities own assessments for an EHCP. We live in London but would move out if we found a school that could meet his needs. Thank you.

Having spent literally tens of thousands of pounds over the last 5 years or so. If you have a “true” pda child they will not fit into the jellly mould of a school mainstream system.

Far too many rules. Not enough flexibility. Head teacher won’t flex. I have not come across a school that is inclusive and flexible for the needs of a pda child.

I should add pda children are very smart. I almost think if they wasn’t as smart it would help 100% (sorry but I do think if they wasn’t so smart it would be more helpful to the situation)

I do believe the pda website is correct (although I was willing to give them a run for my money 🤣) and slightly underestimating it - if you have a “true” pda child as I still believe lots jump on the bang wagon and really are NOT pda kids ……(so infuriating that everyone says I have a pda child)

If you child isn’t that smart I do think you could have hope. As I’ve come across those schools that could potentially work. But if they are clocked on and rules / injustice and know their mind unfortunately it doesn’t work.

Also, special schools will not go near a “pda child” as they can’t deal with it. So it’s game over. Even with an EHCP which takes time energy and cash it’s an easy reject.

You have to go with them and don’t waste your money. Go with what the child wants / needs as you spend many years “fighting the system” and really it’s not going to work ….

Also fighting the system plus cash and energy isn’t worth it.

Just enjoy your time with your child x

For some PDA DC, some special/specialist schools can work. If they aren’t wholly independent, the school can be named in an EHCP even if the school objects.

And if school is inappropriate, there is EOTAS/EOTIS EHCP his bespoke to the individual child, so an EHCP can still be worth it.

Hello! Did you make any progress on this? I’m in similar circumstances. Daughter is 6, not yet diagnosed though. Looking for PDA friendly settings and willing to consider moving. Currently in London. Curious to know if you discovered anything!

Hi all! So, we ended up going to a PRU (or short-term school) to help get him back on track. We have 2 more weeks left of the placement and it has been a huge success! For a child who was launching things at teachers, he is now happy, settled and learning. It really shows just how important the environment is for kids, especially PDA kids who seem to often be misunderstood/ behaviour interpreted as being controlling and defiant, when their nervous systems just can’t cope with the environment they’re in.

Our next step is more of a headache. We’re pushing for high COIN, and given how he’s responded in the specialist environment he’s in, we’re going to go for it and push as much as we’re able. I wouldn’t write off school as an option, high COIN seems to be a good balance of lowering demand when needed, and integrating into mainstream when they can. Good luck!

how are you getting on OP x