Autistic child - Transition to specialist school

[Traintimeline]

How long did it take for your child to transition from mainsyream to specialist school?

I'm not sure I understand the question. Could you explain a bit more? Where are you currently in the process?

There isn’t a set answer to this.

My child started a transition timetable at a specialist school after the Easter holidays.

My child was meant to be attending full time by now. Instead we are managing four half days per week. I remain in the car park for each session to assuage anxiety.

I'm getting frustrated by the length of time it is taking. Child has demand avoidant traits. School is being super supportive. Child is on an attendance plan. I want to hear from others who have been in similar situations....maybe making 2 or 3 terms for their child to properly settle and attend full time ib a specialist setting.

Thanks @Piony @perpetualplatespinning

I hope I have filled in the gaps for you.

It can take time.

What support is the school providing?

What support for anxiety is in the EHCP?

Is alternative provision in place as well as part-time school? Will the school provide some outreach provision to aid transition?

@perpetualplatespinning no AP apart from S&LT once a week at home (written in to EHCP). I will ask of there is any outreach available...it hasn't been discussed or spoken about at any point.

School is autism specialist, class sizes of up to 4 with one to two staff per group. Outdoor learning centre type environment.

In terms of what is currently on place to support:

Child selects days to come in the previous week to give control over sessions
9.30 am start for quieter transition
I accompany child into building and we have a leaving routine to follow.
I remain on site
Child has option to visit me on site.
If he needs to go home it is allowed.
Social stories to support morning/drop off ransition provided.
We have pictures of staff at home to support
English twmporarily rwmoved from tt due to anxiety (child has very weak literacy skills)
Daily communication between school and home
TAF meetings contonuing to share strategies for aupport
Low demands at home during this time
LA Inclusion team are aware.

The above stratevies are all in the EHCP and are being upheld by school.

Does the EHCP not include any therapeutic provision for DS’s anxiety? As well as SALT, is there OT?

If the school won’t provide outreach, I would ask the LA about AP temporarily whilst DS build up his time in school.

Would DS manage more in school if it was 1:1 initially rather than spending all (or even any) his time with his class?

Sorry for typos. Am typing from the car park.

Three months of sitting on the car park for the sessions child attends. I'm starting to feel resentful of parents of children who just go into school, do the day there, come home and function.

I've given up work, I'm losing confidence, have lost a few friends....

Hi @perpetualplatespinning

We havent had much luck with OT. Child won't engage very much. Child has significantly low motor skills and tje NHS OT assessments were very poorly handled I am sad to say...so OT is v generic. No other therapeutic stuff in EHCP but Ill check again when we get home.

To be honest it often is 1:1 for him at the moment. School are focussing solely on building relationships and no academics at all atm.

What kind of AP could be offered at the moment? I just can't imagine what would be beneficial to him as well as low demand alongside his SaLT and his sessions in school.

I was more thinking about OT for emotional regulation rather than motor skills. Even if DS can’t engage, OT would be helpful for input into how the school is working with DS and planning next steps.

It is worth thinking about further therapeutic input based around DS’s interests.

AP can be whatever is suitable. It can be child led based around his interests. What are his interests? Gaming, sports, cooking, gardening, art, science… It could even be a mentor and a budget to go out into the community doing whatever DS wants or a mentor at home to do whatever DS chooses.

I see. Does it actually feel like transition still at this point, or a new normal? Are you still seeing progress, or is he just not coping with school?

For us transition was much quicker but we ended up in a long term EBSNA kind of place where he could only cope with part time school. So I am not sure I can help. I can absolutely commiserate with the reduced timetable and how hard it is on you. I know my child has a right to a full time education but that is meaningless when he cannot access it. Having you sat in the carpark all morning for a term, with no end in sight, sounds ridiculous but I do know how things end up reduced to that. We have found it impossible to increase hours - child is just too resistant, but in our case we all agree it is because the setting cannot meet need (but moving him would be worse.)

I can only suggest an emergency annual review to assess whether progress is still being made and whether they are able to meet need. Why does he still need you there, does he not yet have safe adults in school and if not, how can that be achieved? Could that be even more prioritised over learning? Would he be better in AP or home tutored, instead of school?

You deserve a medal for the last term. And you may need an action plan for Sept. Tell them how hard you are finding it - you are the only one here who will advocate for you and it's ok to say "no I can't".

Sorry I was wrong to assume "he" above - my bad

Thank you for understanding. You've given me a lot of food for thought. Our LA caseworker is very good and she isn't worried bout the length of timw it is taking....her, the LA autism specialist and the S&LT all say he just needs lots more time to transition.

The school he is at don't do pt tt so we have to have full time as the end goal. I'm not sure at what point they will say they can't meet need....at the moment they say all they want to see is positive progress.

I am feeling v frustrated at the moment. I'd do pretty much anything to magically settle him in. Of course I can't show any frustration at all....it would be so damaging.

@Piony he is a he! Yes. I was trying to create anonymity but I don't think enpugb people will read this for it to be outing. Even if it is it doesnt really matter! X