Going to look round ASD unit today

[sayjay]

and I'm clueless

What would you look for, what would you want to see? What would you ask?

(DS may get a place in Reception this September)

I'm assuming it's attached to a mainstream school.

I'd ask how many children are in the unit and if there are others supported informally who increase the numbers.

Are all the children in the unit diagnosed ASD or is it used as a PRU/assessment unit for children with behaviour issues?

Are the children given support to integrate into mainstream or are they taught separately? If they are taught separately is it by TAs or teachers?

How do they communicate with parents? A home school diary which is properly used is essential.

What work do they do with children to support their individual social communication development?

What are their behaviour management strategies.

What would the induction process be and does it respond to the needs of the child?

I would look for staff who bend down to speak to children and really listen to what the children are trying to say.

I'd look for evidence that they make the environment and routines fit the children's needs and wishes rather than expect the children to fit around what they've always done.

I'd want to hear that parents are welcome to pop in and chat anytime.

Look for children who are like your DC, then it's likely to fit in with his abilities/peer group. Looking around special schools was the first time I saw lots of boys just like DS.

What are their academic expectations and will they suit your child? Life/independence/social skills? Bullying?

What kind of access do they have to therapies? Policies on trips, sports, out of school activities? They should have all the opportunities available to children in mainstream.

How many places do they have and how do they choose which children are most suitable?

Special schools are often oversubscribed so I'd also use the opportunity to talk about your child's SEN. Be honest about them - if they have behavioural difficulties, you need to know they can deal with them.

Thank you so much Al1son

Great questions and points to consider.
Yes, attached to a MS school, some distance away unfortunately. A large one in a pretty socially deprived area.

I believe the idea is the children spend "a year or two" there to assess whether MS or SS is more suitable and to help acclimatise them to school life, then to integrate them into a local primary if going to MS.

Thanks again :)

x-posted sugarcandyminx

Thank you so much for your reply. It's all very thought provoking. I'm so glad I posted this morning :)

Thanks again for your pointers. The visit went well, he seemed quite relaxed in the setting and even exchanged words with the staff a couple of times although they kept ruffling his hair - why do they do that?! We ended up staying for 2 hours (me, DH, DS1 and 4month old DS2 - we doubled the class size)!!
Anyway.......I think we'll go for it. The class size will be approx 8 with 4 staff members (max 10 pupils). There were 1 or 2 niggles I had but that'll be the same anywhere.
The distance is a bind but it's not forever.....It did seem to be quite segregated from MS - but tbh DS would probably prefer it that way. Outside play opportunities seemed limited, despite them having their own play area and equipment.
Next step is the teacher in charge and the SLT (who we know from clinic) will be coming to do an observation at home in a few weeks. Then admission panel meets in March. Just hope he gets a place now!
I'm very grateful for your advice this morning ladies :)

Good luck,

DS1 had an induction day at the ASD Base he will start in September today, well I say day- every week building up by a few minutes; week three now, met some current year 7's (he is older than your child obv) and next week 15 minutes of history class.

TBH i think a degree of separation is good: it allows peace and yet still inclusion can be achieved. I expect ds1 to be included a lot with a TA, but ds3 is in a non ASD specific base for primary, and is rarely included: works for both.

Glad it went well. Fingers crossed for the admission decision.