DD just started MS school, how difficuly is it to move schools?

[woolytree]

We are in the process of a formal dx ASD, she is 5 next month. No statement ...yet. I knew little about Autism before we applied to school, nor the SEN code, or my DDs issues...partly ignorant, partly denial. She has started reasonably well but I have concerns. On looking into LA reports on DDs school I see they only have 5% of children with SEN or support with school action plus...very low within the LA on experience with SEN. The TA seems uninterested in DD, the teachers busy and unaware she shows stress in other ways...and isnt always coping. I simply think they have little or no experience with ASD and am worried it take too long to get a statement in place...if we got one and properly trained staff to support DD. :(

How do we move schools?...can we?
There is a MS school with a SN unit nearby although were not in its catchment. We would move house if need be. Anyone had any sucess?.....Advice please. :)

OOPS.. I meant difficult.

I think it's fairly straightforward to move schools as long as there's a place available. With other friends, they've managed to call up and check there were places, then move within a week. It will be trickier if there aren't places - then you'd have to put your name on the waiting list.

You're unlikely to get a unit place without a statement (and even then I expect it's already full), but my friends have found that schools with units tend to have better training/knowledge of SN even for children in the ms section. Does the SN unit specialise in ASD?

With a statement, you can name any school even if it's full, and catchment areas don't matter - but it takes months to get a statement in place and I expect you want to make the move sooner than that.

I think you should see what happens with the statement (I know it's a long process) and then changing to a school that's right for you should be easier.
In the meanwhile, though, call for a meeting with TA, teacher, etc. and explain your concerns, as well as outline your DD's difficulties (in case they haven't noticed). Even without a statement or a dx she can go on School Action +

I have a friend who works at the school, she says the unit has Autistic DCs in but I havent looked further into it....dont want to get my hopes up....its always full. Apparently all the schools in my area are oversubscribed. :( As we would have to move Id have to aim to do it after xmas as my house is on a contract, but at least DD would start with other new DCs.

Im in two minds about putting DD through all these changes but think Ill make a plan. Final dx assesment tomorrow...hopefully. Inclusion team involved, arrange a meeting with SENCO, apply for SA, check out the school. We have to give notice on our house so I have to decide soon...OMG.

Thanks for reply sugarcandymonster. :)

...sorry x posted with you sc13.

Ive asked inclusion to help, they are observing DD once a week this term, until Autism Outreach take over. They will advise how to help DD with her anxiety.

I will talk to school when Im armed with more advice from psychologist tomorrow. There is one other DC at school with AS, I think thats the extent of their knowlege...and he keeps escaping. :(

Is your dd happy at the school? as long as she is happy and safe i would keep her in until you get the statement sorted, if her safety is at risk (not enough 1:1 if she needs it) then i would be tempted to pull her out and either find another school or home school her until you get a statement.

Dd2 started MS a few weeks ago, luckily we got a very early dx (of ASD) so managed to get a statement sorted before she started, her school isn't great, they have little experiance of ASD but she is happy and safe there. We tried for a place at a SN school but our application was refussed .

Good luck with whaterver you decide. xx

Thanks Marne.

She is happy but...

She hides her anxiety utill she gets home then gets very repetative/zones out or just bounces....bouncing is a new behaviour.

Shes started to pick at her lip a lot.

She doesnt like the bell, she repeated all last Sunday about it, I told school but thay said 'she shows no sign of upset' and dismissed it. Then they had a fire alarm test on thursday. :( TBH she hasnt spoken about that but..

Shes less verbal than before at home, just parrots or babbles more.

Shes only using the toilets when shes bursting, I asked school if shes going they said she is but shes wetting herself on the walk home and going 6+ times in the hour after.

They havent used the home school diary much at all.

The TA walked off when I tried to explain where her food obsessions come from....just not interested at all.

Shes in a class of 25+ kids...two classes that merge that will double in size in Jan.

She doesnt like the assembly hall.

Shes bedwetting still and sometimes waking in the night, talking to herself but not calling us, I heard her when attending to DS in the night.

She is very tired and I think over stimulated, I dont think she learnt anything new at all...yet and although shes mentioned 'friends' their Mums said their DCs dont mention her...so she probably just obsessing from afar.

The teacher is trying but very very busy...Im I being super fussy and expecting too much too soon? My Paed said I dont need dx for support but how can I push for 1:1? Im not seeing the benefits of school....and Im concerned things will get worse.

...I am talking to school ASAP.

Surely wouldn't hurt to do some research to find out what would be a good school for meeting needs? Speaking to heads and senco might give you an idea of what they could do for DD now.
I moved DS1 from MS to MS with base in Jan term of year 1. I could see how far he was drifting, and how long the process of dx and anything further would take. For me and him it was a good move. But there are so many variables, what works for one and all that.

Just collected dd, saw her teacher for a brief chat...outlined my intentions.

She said they were only using the diary for 'incidents', as filling it in about all her activities would be too long, Ella was 'fine'. 'settling in well'...'dont worry'.

I explained that I would be meeting with school after tomorrows Psych assesment to 'discuss Ellas needs and implementing her education plan', 'Although she seems happy her anxiety is showing at home so I will be asking for advice with helping her cope tomorrow', 'It was suggested at her last assesment that she use visuals more due to her lack of understanding of language'...teacher responded that a visual time table was 'usually' used but reception is essentially 'free play' so there wasnt much use...yet' I suggested that a personal visual timetable reguardless of activities should contain things to warn Ella of assembly coming, to use the toilet more often and help structure HER day!...and also until we see the report were not sure if its a sensory processing disorder. She looked at me blankly....and told me not to worry. :(

I hope the inclusion team are helpfull....I dont think the teachers get it at all. :(

Sounds like many of us are having the same issues....tough week for lots of us. Get bugging HT, SENco, TAs....start making demands, use all DDs proffessional assesments as evidence of her needs....I may even take in some NAS printouts for them to read!

....Sorry for ranting! MN is my therapy! :)

Rant away .

Dd2 has a home school book, her TA writes in one activity a day (so i can try and discus it with dd2) and she also writes if dd2 has been upset. So far dd2 has only played at school and done a few activities based around letter sounds. Her teacher is useless, i have had no imput from her since dd2 started, the only feedback i get is from her TA. Dd2 has now been removed from assebly after they made her go in (i told them she wouldn't cope but they would not listen). Dd2's understanding of language is poor, she uses pictures to help her communicate, this has helped a lot and the school are keen to use visual time tables ect.

We are very lucky because the dd's go to a tiny school, dd2 was one of 4 children who started in september, we are moving house next week but will be keeping the dd's in this school as they are both happy (at the moment). I think dd2 will end up at the SN school sometime in the future.

It does sound like a trying situation for you woolytree, but I agree with others that you should try to do as much research as possible before any moves. Do some visits with and without your DD, ask for all their policies, try to get some views from parents.

The problems you've flagged up are difficult, but you can't guarantee that she wouldn't get them in a new school. I know some children who have gone through several school moves within a few years and that's very difficult for any child, let alone one with SN.

Also, with dx and statementing, the school will be asked for their input and it'll be hard to get a clear view from them if she doesn't have a chance to get settled and for them to get to know her. It's a tough one.

Thanks all...Ive calmed down and got my rational thinking cap on! :)

Ill keep you posted. :)

Saw the Psychologist today, did another assesment, last bit for us to complete diagnosis. :) I think she will be suggesting semantic pragmatic disorder and ASD....she mentioned both words when discussing DDs results and she fits all the 'symptoms'.

I explained school issues and Psych did lots of sighing, shaking her head and tutting! She understood why I wanted more information about Ella and said 'sounds like her teacher definately needs to go on a course!......As there arent many SN kids at DDs school there is more funding for DD!...unless there just unwilling then maybe SA is the way to go but they are usually refused because school should fund support without!'.

Any way she is sending the report out asap and gave me some more people to contact. :)

Good luck! Hope it works out for you and DD