Advice needed - ECHP / schools/ DD with ADHD and ASD

[onedayatatime73]

Apologies in advance for all the questions. I’m about to dive into researching all of this but would appreciate wisdom from those who’ve navigated this complicated path.

DD (12) diagnosed with Autism and ADHD. Whilst her autism score is higher than her ADHD, she doesn’t “present” as ASD.
In year 7, mainstream state school and struggling to cope. Very easy target for bullying which is dealt with on a daily basis. Often given detention for lack of focus, being late, fogetting homework book. Teachers find her frustrating. One teacher has actually “refused to teach” her. (Long story).
She’s had various meds over the years, we’re now trialling a different one - non stimulant.
There’s tons of background but essentially her Head Teacher told me yesterday that we should strongly consider changing schools and finding a more suitable environment for her where she could thrive.

So my questions are:
Any recommendations for a specialised school, SW London welcome please. I don’t really know how to explain what I mean here, but she doesn’t appear as ND even though she is. So I want her to “find her tribe”. So I don’t imagine she would be suited to a school where the children present as non-verbal.

We are about to go down the route of getting her an EHCP (school and doctor very supportive of this). Does an EHCP then pay for the school?

Given the lengthy process of an EHCP I’m unclear as to what to do now in terms of her starting Year 8 in September. Does it mean we should find her a place somewhere, fund it ourselves, then further down the line if the EHCP comes through then it would pick up the funding?

Sorry I know I’m coming at this all with ignorance and of course I will do lots of research but I feel a bit concerned about the time pressure.

Advice welcome. Thank you.

Follow up the HT’s comments yesterday with an email. Firstly, they should not be trying to off-roll, and secondly, this provides good evidence. If the school can’t meet DD’s needs, the school should have requested an EHCNA before now.

Request a meeting with the SENCO. DD should not be being punished in the way she is for things related to her disabilities. Detention is counter-productive in DD’s circumstances, anyway. Have they requested advice from outside agencies?

If DD is unable to attend school, the LA is responsible for ensuring she still receives a suitable full-time education.

An EHCP can fund an independent specialist school. However, there is no guarantee the LA would agree to doing so, especially if you are funding it already. They may force you to appeal. And for wholly independent schools (as opposed to section 41 independents) to be named, you would need an offer of a place from the school and to prove the LA’s proposed schools can’t meet needs &/or it wouldn’t be unreasonable public expenditure.

Not all independent SS accept self funders. Even when they do, they can cost a huge amount of money. Beyond what most people can afford to fund themselves.

Specialist school wise, you could look at Odyssey House. There is The Rise (not an independent school, though). While they have verbal DC, not sure DD will find her tribe there, though. Another one that is worth looking at but depending on what exactly you are looking for may not have DD's tribe is Unsted Park if that is within travelling distance. Also, Canbury. Officially, it is a mainstream independent, but it is not like your typical mainstream. If it is within travelling distance (it might just be depending on where in SW London you are) you could look at Orange Tree school.

This is all so helpful. Thank you so much.

Hi OP, I suggest visiting the IPSEA website and reading everything there about the EHCP process. I found it very clear (although the process certainly isn't!)

I will post a link to the support thread on here in a minute.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/special_educational_needs/5309128-ehcp-support-thread-no-5?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=app_share