ASD unit vs mainstream with support

[sayjay]

Newish to this section: hello!

I have introduced myself before but namechanged since then as was outed

I know this is really a question only I can answer but it's going round and round my head and need to vent / hear other thoughts please.

DS1 dx ASD age 2 and 1/2. Now 3 and 1/2. Not in preschool, never been to nursery or cm (MIL looks after him while we work PT).

Spent ages looking at primary schools for Sept. Found local one we like and feel could work for him - obv with appropriate support (ie 1:1 FT) School prepared to work with us, very understanding HT, other ASD child in the school with 1:1, have made adjustments for him so it seems they can provide.

Had applied for statement to consider nursery / preschool, which have now decided against. Decided to go for PT entry to school in Sept instead. (He is 4 in June so 'young' starter too.)

Been told the other day over phone that:
a) he was awarded 15 hours support for preschool / nursery (ie 'FT')
b) for sept they suggest we apply for the LEA ASD unit attached to 'local' primary school (actually 1/2 an hour in a car away) for Sept. With a view to spending 1-2 years 'assesment period' there to decide whether mainstream or Special School appropriate and help him integrate into school environment. They apparently have a good set up with sensory room, social stories, visual timetables etc Sounds ideal (apart from the travel and not being permanent, having to transition somewhere else later)

It's a bit of a surprise (IMO he's not VERY severe). So need to get my head round it a little.

Not sure what I'm asking people for here really: points to consider, experiences of ASD units vs mainstream with support? Just feel a bit boggled

Hmm. I think another advantage is that a team from this unit would help to put things into place at the mainstream, should he go there. So it won't all come from me, IYKWIM. eg " ooh my ds can't do x, must have y, needs more z.....etc" I'm sure you all know how emotionally exhausting it is, and how it can make me feel 'precious' and demanding and doubt myself at times. Be nice to step back from that if poss.

Think I'm coming round to the idea, not sure why I'm hesitant. I think it's because I had no idea it existed and so had never considered it an option.

Wish it was more local...........will he get transport? (More issues for him there )

I think ASD units are brilliant. The child normally has to spend between 20% - 80% of their time in the MS class. Which sounds absolutely perfect.

Still has all the opportunities of MS. While still getting specialist ASD support.

We are in the middle of doing the same thing, though the school we have chosen is a MS Primary, without an ASD unit. The local school with an ASD unit was too big a class, with 60 kids and I felt that a smaller classroom size, would be more beneficial. My ds is hearing impaired with ASD, but the ASD far outweighs the other disability. He has 15 hours nursery support currently, and the school are pushing for full-time funding. My LEA tend to award full time funding in first term and then try and reduce it a term later. Not acceptable IMO. You can apply for transport, but how will he cope without you taking him?

If you have been offered such a unit then rejoice! Your son will be in mainstream but with copious additional support. I spent 18 months getting my now 13 year old into such a unit (and I think many people have much more difficulty than I did). He struggled before, but now looks on course for a university place.

These places are expensive, and are not offered lightly.

As the LEA has placed him by their preference in the ASD unit then they are obliged to provide transport.

However this is likely to be a bus or taxi with multiple other kids, and you will have to judge how he will cope with that. Our severely autistic 12 year old now receives an individual taxi with an escort to his special school, (the bus simply didn't work for him or the other kids on it, so we campaigned for this change.) The LEA also offered to pay us to transport him, but as we have six children (three with SEN) between us this wasn't a goer....

Well done and good luck!!

Well, I have called to arrange a visit to the asd unit.

Thanks for your thoughts everyone.

One thing that concerns me is that the mainstream school we chose is always oversubscribed. We'd probably get a place for September as we live 0.1mile away but if he goes to the asd unit with a view to transferring to MS later there may not be a place

Would he have to wait??

Also, I want him to start PT eg 4 mornings. Do you think he could have a PT place at each school???

oooooh really? even if transferring in Y1 / 2? Interesting. Thanks for the advice. I'm all new to it.