Should I apply for a SA?

[aspergersrus]

New here but have been a lurker for a while...just needing some advise about applying for a SA.
My son is 7 and has a diagnosis of aspergers, he got this when he was just 5 so school have been aware. They KEEP telling me he is fine in school, I know he would just love to paint himself in invisible ink and be noticed by noone! He sets himself incredibly high standards and hates to see himself as failing at anything and likes to be best, first etc, I guess you'll know the score(wink)
I have had to push a school to get him 5 hrs support at School action plus even though they said he didn't need it. The OT has been great, autism outreach less so, they are hand in glove with school staff. I KNOW there are children with asd with more severe issues...I also know that because he doesn't display any difficult behaviour he just falls under the radar and gets NO help. Each IEP he has had is not followed through, no individual is ever mentioned as helping him, and no evidence ever produced of what help he has had. Each time a review is due there will be a little flurry of activity and his IEP targets will then have been miraculously acheived!! I am now two years down the line fed up, yes he could be supported at school action plus and to be truthful even with a statement I think this school would still downplay his issues and do little. However he has special needs, especially with socialising, handwriting, visual motor integration and anxiety. He entered school at quite a high level academically but his progress has slowed and even in his area of strength (maths) his peers have caught up with him as the work has become more demanding. This has hugely affected his self esteem. The LEA told me 12 months ago he needs an EP assessment (after I wrote a letter of complaint) but school have disagreed and it has not happened. They have told me it is a matter between me and the LEA. I am getting sick of fighting his corner and being seen as an over protective, pushy mother and would just like him to have the help he deserves. I feel a statement is the only way I am going to get this. I know school will not support me but I think I have enough evidence to prove they are failing to meet his needs, what do you think?

Yes - I would tell the school that you are applying for a statement. If the school query it tell them your reasons as above. Go ahead and do it you have nothing to lose and it may turn out that you get extra help and support for your son.

I think look at other schools in your area and ask how they would support a child with your sons difficulties as well - you may find a better school?

No matter how good a statement that you may get you can't lead a horse to water and make it drink.

Meantime start applying for a statement also as they take a long time to get if you are successful.

I think you're right, not sure this middle class small village school, not seen any other autistic children will ever get him. I don't want a statement to get him lots of hours of 1-1 as he would hate all the attention, just want a school to recognise his needs and get some recommendations put in action (as much for later on as now ie, using a keyboard, having longer for tests etc)

"I don't want a statement to get him lots of hours of 1-1 as he would hate all the attention, just want a school to recognise his needs and get some recommendations put in action (as much for later on as now ie, using a keyboard, having longer for tests etc)"

A statement would be the only way of achieving that aim i.e a school to recognise his needs and its not this one even if a Statement was in place. I also think that apart from a statement he needs to attend another school. His current school seem to have no idea of how to work with him at all and he is now failing as a result. They have failed him up till now by not following through with the IEP (they are known as Individual Empty Promise on this board) or allowing an EP in.