DD age 7 is ADHD / ASD, cognitively very able but needing a lot of support in school. She loves to read and absorbs facts (knows a huge amount of random stuff), loves humanities, science, very creative (loves arts, crafts, design etc) but struggles with focus, attention and especially writing. Her maths is good in places but not in others. She previously had some significant emotional regulation difficulties but has calmed down a lot with 1-2-1 support. She’s also verbally articulate and sociable but has impaired receptive language so does struggle with social norms and expectations. She also has a lot of sensory difficulties.
We had independent EP, OT and SLT assessments done as part of EHCP appeal.
EP recommended a mainstream with autism unit. She needs specialist teaching, smaller classes, flexible approach, 1-2-1 support (currently) and regular OT and SLT input but also a more mainstream curriculum which matches her cognitive abilities and a peer group of similarly able children (ideally both boys and girls). We’re finding it impossible to find a suitable school. Autism units near us are either full or unsuitable due to children predominantly being behind academically. Our solicitor is pushing us to look at specialists instead. A few more academic independent specialists have already said no as are either full or can’t support the 1-2-1 / level of flexibility she requires. Traditional mainstreams are also saying they can’t meet needs so we don’t know where to go from here. If we can’t get everything, is she better off in mainstream with lots of support?
Looking for school suggestions that could work for her in and around South west London / surrey or surrounding areas. Also opinions on or experience of mainstream vs specialist for similar children?