DS almost got permanent exclusion, referral to PRU

[sugarcandymountain]

DS (10) has diagnosis of AS and PTSD. He's had a series of fixed-term exclusions over the past year, ranging from half-day up to 2 days.

Yesterday I went to pick him up and the head said he'd been refusing to take part in class and then went up to a teacher and punched her in the back. He's often been aggressive and will destroy wall displays, throw chairs etc and head has warned that they don't think they can cope with him.

Head told me he was planning to permanently exclude DS but would call Behaviour Support first (he's on SA+ and has p/t 1:1 support from there). They've agreed to an emergency referral to the Pupil Referral Unit and so the head has decided to exclude DS for 5 days rather than a permanent exclusion.

Does anyone know what will happen next? His teacher says that the other kids in PRU could make things worse. We're in the process of getting a statement but it could still be a few months away, even next academic year.

I don't know if it's best to think about sending him to a primary with an ASD unit. His current school has been supportive but they don't seem to have a lot of experience with ASD and his behaviour seems to be getting worse despite getting 1:1 help and other support. I've been reluctant to move him because he's been there so long - since Reception and he doesn't cope well with change.

I'm not sure a PRU is the best place for a child with AS. My DS has AS and when he was in the process of being permanently excluded last year the PRU was suggested, our Paed, the CAMHS people we deal with, autism outreach and the Ed Psych (and us)were all very much against sending DS there as it is much more for children with behavioural issues rather than children who have issues because of their AS (ie their anxiety and stress levels make them behave in certain ways). In the PRU environment they felt that DS would be very open to bullying/aggression from other children and being led astray by others because of his lack of understanding of social situations.

Who have you got 'professionally' supporting you? Do you have Parent Partnership - they were fab with us, have you a paed or CAMHS or anyone like that - you need some professional support at times like this.

IME a school who are used to dealing with children with ASD's, behavioural stuff are much better at supporting children with AS rather than a school who is just coping. DS is currently re integrating into a fab school which whilst not having an autism unit (which would have been equally as helpful) who really 'get' what his issues are and make him feel welcome, wanted and secure so he then has reduced anxiety and can join in and behave much more socially appropriately.

What year is DS in, how far along the statementing process are you? They have strict guidelines for how long things will take and it really shouldn't take that long to get him a statment in place, particularly as the school seem to be struggling so badly to help him.

I could write loads on what I think you need to do but this would take up lots of space!! As we have just gone through all this I have LOADS of stuff ticking over in my brain!!! If you would like to contact me then please let me know and I will post my email.

I've worked in PRUs for a number of years. There will be staff there who are experienced in dealing with challenging behaviour, he will get the 1:1 support he is entitled to, and may find it to be a much more suitable and less frustrating environment for him.

www.ipsea.org.uk have information on exclusions and would suggest you look at this as a starting point. You certainly need proper advice on his educational needs from someone like IPSEA, ACE or SOS;SEN.

I would also ask why there is no Statement in place for your son?. Why has school allowed him to remain on SA plus even though there is ample evidence to suggest its not meeting his needs?.

SA plus is honestly not worth the paper its written on; he would be getting limited support on that.

I would also question the wisdom of placing your son in a PRU because he has AS.

You can apply for a Statement yourself and you do not need schools permission to apply for it. Again IPSEA would have details.

A PRU is the very last pace a child with AS and PTSD should be placed in. PRUs are dumping grounds for the behaviourially challenged, You do not want your child whose problems stem from his disabilities copying the bahviour of the average PRU pupil.

The Govt reminded LAs recently that children with long-term special needs should not be educated in PRUs, so what they are trying to do with your son is a gross try-on.

Either they can accommodate him in his normal mainstream school or they should look for a specialist placement - not a PRU.

You'll find that IPSEA and the other SEN charities will agree - refuse the PRU and demand that school strats providing proper support for your child.

(From a prent whose Asperger's son spent just one day in a PRU before we realised what a cop-out this was for the school and LA).

Best wishes

Thanks for the responses - sorry I haven't managed to post again until now, things have felt too overwhelming. DS has been driving me crazy being off school and I've had news about his statement which has thrown everything a bit off balance.

Head called last week when DS was supposed to go back (either to school or the PRU) but they can't sort out a PRU place that quickly, but he 'doesn't think school can cope with his behaviour' so he is still at home although not officially excluded! I know that's not technically legal but I think he might well get permanently excluded if he goes back to school so I am trying to avoid that. Although maybe it would be better for him to be permanently excluded as it might make the LA sit up and take notice!

School said they were waiting for dx before applying for statement - bit complicated there as PTSD dx says he 'shows no sign of autism' - I didn't agree so got him seen privately by paed who dx'd AS, but only received that in Jan. Am a bit worried that LA will take AS dx less seriously because it was private? We also have a long report from Bibic and private EP (but he only vaguely suggested dyslexic-type difficulties).

Statementing - I just received letter today from LA saying that they WON'T assess DS. I've been half-expecting it, as people have said our LA are particularly difficult about it. Obviously I will appeal but find it all a bit daunting. I'm thinking about getting a specialist solicitor to help - I know it'll cost more and I can't exactly afford it, but I'm not the most assertive person at the best of times and I'm not sure I'll be able to put the case forward very well myself. So, can anyone recommend a specialist SEN firm? I've googled but would like some personal recs.

WedgiesMum, I'd definitely appreciate more advice from you - feeling very lost at the moment!
Have read a fair bit about the legalities and statement/appeals process but putting it all into practice is another thing entirely. And we're off for our Easter hols on Thursday - going to Asia for two weeks so it will be difficult to make calls or sort anything out from over there.

Oh my life what a nightmare for you! This sounds a complete mess up by the school! How are they proposing to educate him then if they are unofficially keeping him away from school? I think you need to get right on to your LEA SEN/inclusion people as he is NOT being included! And you are so right - it isn't legal and you need to make a HUGE fuss!For us the PX has been just the thing to help DS get the help he needs.

School are wrong to delay applying for a statement on those grounds. They DO NOT need a dx and should be much more supportive of you and proactive in applying for one if they cannot cope and are asking you to keep him away from school. (Just as an aside I work 1 to 1 with a child who has a statement for behaviour issues but has no dx and has never seen a paed so that is proof you don't need one).

You also desperately need some good advice and back up here. Do you have parent partnership? legal advice also good. You definitely need to have a meeting with school asap andhave someone with you who is well up on the legal position and also who is able to talk about the issues really strongly. what about the LEA services the school should be accessing like behaviour specialists that your LEA will definitely provide? What authority are you in?

Here is my email address p u t t y b r i c k a t a o l dot c o m only without all the spaces and the proper at thingy. Please feel free to email and if you want to chat then I can give you my contact number.

I am online and at home tonight so will be able to reply pretty quickly.

Thanks Wedgiesmum - I will email you after I post this.

He has 1:1 support from behaviour support mentor who was sent by LEA, but only for about 3 hours a week. And his previous exclusion (before the 5 day) was for throwing a pair of scissors at him...so I'm worried that even if he gets a 1:1 FT, dangerous incidents might still happen. Behaviour support people have been good but I don't feel they're necessarily looking at his behaviour as AS. Eg, they have suggested ways of dealing with DS's behaviour which are pretty much textbook techniques for dealing with AS but his mentor is finding it all out via trial and error, it's a bit like reinventing the wheel.

Slightly complicated with LEA as his school is in Islington but home borough is Hackney.

My DS was in a PRU after being excluded constantly for 2 years at a rate of 2 days a week! he started at the PRU in DEC 08 but at this point did not have a statement or a formal diagnosis, TBH the school referred him as they knew he was autistic and could not meet his needs. The PRU was not the best place for my DS, no allowances were made for his needs and we when he was awarded his full time statement in march 09 we were told it would not apply whilst in the PRU as they got no extra money for this provision!
Normally children attend a PRU for a max of one term and are eventually reintergrated back into a suitable new school.
My DS was there from DEC 08 till OCT 09 when i won a fight to get him into a special autism school after the PRU and LEA failed to find a suitable school for him!

have just read all your posts and must say i went through similar!
Ds started having issues at school in 2006, SA+ quite quickly then exclusions till i moved schools in June 2008. DS went for assessment for ASD in Jan 08 and we were told he showed no signs.
I complained in detail and he was reassessed in AUG 2008. He was then diagnosed with Atypical Autism and Oppositional Defiant Disorder!
We put in for a statement in 2007 and assessment was refused so we took lea to tribunal, we won in sept 2008 and they started assessing and said DS could have 12.5 hours, we disputed and they upped it to 15 then upped it to 27 and then eventually agreed to 32.5 which is full time support! DS got the full time statement BEFORE he got his DX!!!!!!
The school were fantastic in detailing his needs which really helped our case along with personal diary logs from teachers and also photos of damage DS was causing to the school and videos of him having huge melt downs!