Schools admission policy - would AS be considered as a serious psychological condition

[Peaceflower]

Is there anyone who can help with this, please?

On top of all the issues around dd, next week ds is being assessed for an ASD.

He has been struggling in his current school and I'm thinking of moving him to another mainstream primary. All the schools are full and have a waiting list.

However on the county admission criteria, it states "children with a serious medical or psychological reason" for needing to attend a particular school would get priority.

Would ASD be considered a serious psychological reason?

I think it would be a serious medical reason. AS isn't psychological, it is organic. To argue that it is psychological gives the would suggest that it can 'go away'. It can't. Case law supports that.

Absolutely agree with lougle.

It's a medical disorder, it is a lifelong one, and how serious it is depends on the presentation; it is quite possible to have severe Asperger's.

Peaceflower, I'd suggest you post on the Primary Education boards as there are helpful people there who sit on the admissions appeals panels, so they know the law around admissions.

Lougle is right, AS would be considered a medical issue. But from an admissions point of view, you'd have to present a case that the school you want would be particularly beneficial for your DS because of his AS. You also need to get supporting evidence of this from his paed/CAMHS.

Thank you, Lougle, SMA, and SCM. What you have said makes sense. I tried searching on some old threads, and there was a case of one LA saying it only applied if you had a statement.

But I will try on the Primary Education board. Thanks again.