Communication disorder units associated with mainstream secondary schools. Experiences?

[retiredgoth2]

...my 11 year old Geeky Urchin is in year 7 at a mainstream school 200 metres from my house. He is yet to formally receive an Aspergers diagnosis (waiting list) but no-one doubts that he will.

He is struggling (socially, not academically) and I was called to a multi professional meeting this week.

The Ed Psych floated the idea that he might fare better at a school with a specialist communication disorder unit. My local authority has two. One is new and about a mile and a half distant, the other much further but more established (I know of one local boy who attends, and is happy and successful at the more distant unit)

My thoughts have been muddied by my 17 year old twin nieces, who attend a school with such a unit attached (in another part of the country). They implore me not to send the geeky one there, as they felt that children from the unit were singled out and bullied by the others.

I am torn as to the best way forward. His current school is imperfect, but kind and far from clueless. They are doing everything available to them. It seems likely that he will be statemented, though he is not yet.

Has anyone else experience of such a place? I would be grateful for your thoughts. Thank you!

Where are you at with regards to the application for a Statement?. You can actually apply for such a document yourself, I would not let the school do it. This is for two reasons; first off you know its been done then and importantly you as the parent can appeal in the event the LEA say no. School cannot do this.

IPSEA are very good and there is lots of information on it. I would give them a call www.ipsea.org.uk is their website.

Would suggest you post your query also on the Special Needs section of this website as you will get replies that way too.

Have you been to look at these schools? I think that would be a good place to start and see how your son matches to children there.

My daughter has very different needs and I have no experience with a communication unit but it is an unpleasant fact that children with additional needs do have a much greater chance of being bullied.

My son is in a communication disorders unit at a very good mainstream secondary. No bullying whatever since he started, much to my astonishment, but he has a full statement (and therefore someone official at least loosely floating in his vicinity at all times).

There are currently 6 boys in the unit, integrated into mainstream lessons wherever possible. They are also offered music therapy, Lego therapy (kind of intensive training in helpfulness and turn-taking), occupational therapy (going on the bus/learning to queue/cooking/tying shoelaces!) and social skills training.

He's very bright and is now flourishing to the point that he needs less and less support -- but it's still there if he slips back. We are very happy with it, and so is he.

Go and visit!

My ds attends a language unit attached to a mainstream school and so far(fingers crossed) I am not aware of any bullying. But he's in a junior school, and I imagine that things can be very different in a secondary.

I would go along and take a look for yourself. Also check out if the work they are given matches up to your ds's academic ability, as in my ds's unit children are generally at a lower level, although of course I can't say that will be the case in the communication unit that you've mentioned.

...should have said that he too has Aspergers, as do most or all of the boys there. No girls as yet (rather to his disappointment).

....he would need a statement to attend one of these units, I am assured by the Ed Psych.

The agreement was that he should continue at his current school until March, when we would meet again and assess whether the measures in place had worked (they won't, but worth a try) at that point a statutory assessment request could be made, with a view to having it in place for a September start at any new school.

....this all seems too neat, so I am awaiting hitches.

...I am also planning on visiting the units, though god only knows when I will have the free time to do so!

(a 'sickie' beckons, methinks)

Thank you all for your help and reassurance. I had heard of IPSEA, but had yet to call them. I am glad it is thought to be worth doing, so I shall do so!

Again, thank you.