Statement for Aspergers at school

[spearhead]

Hello, I am new to this site, but thought I would run this past you. DS1 who is 8 was recently diagnosed with mild Aspergers. Now I've got my head round that I am able to look forward and see what can be done at school (along with the school of course) to work out the best way to provide an education.
Last week he was given 20 hours a week support assistant, on a 'rapid response' budget and it has been a breath of fresh air. However this is only a temporary fund and the support is only currently available for the next 3 weeks, although it is likely to be extended.
So, we have been asked if our son can be statemented, I think I am happy to do this, but wonder if there are any downsides to this statement. I appreciate it will get him a number of hours a week support, and he will be managed better, but are there any negative implications to having a statement.
I hope that this is enough to get a response, thank you for any replies and advice in advance.

None whatsoever. As you've already realised any support that school delivers without a Statement can be withdrawn at any time.

Support specified in a Statement must be delivered.

Best wishes

Just to agree with WetAugust. Some people don't like 'labels' for their children, but a DX generally opens doors to support and a Statement is the gold standard in SEN. Once issued it is a legal requirement. There's lots of support on here to get you through the process.

Good Luck

There are NO DOWNSIDES to being awarded a Statement (if you can get one!!) if your child needs one.

My son had banded funding to cover 20 hrs assistance in the classroom from age 5 to age 8. When he was 8 a Statement was applied for. We got one and I have to say, the Statement has given us more clout when needed. The provision within it has to be given; it is reviewed annually; the school we applied for when we re-located were awarded a higher rate of provision because they felt that they couldn't accommodate his needs without it and could not therefore, offer him a place in that primary setting.

Now, he is ten. We are up for our annual review in March and we will state a school of preference for secondary education. Without his Statement, he would not be considered for a very limited place within a mainstream secondary WITH SPECIALIST PROVISION FOR ASD. We are NOT guaranteed a place you understand but, we would not stand a chance without it. My son would then have to struggle in another mainstream with some additional funding but, no specialist provision.

Should add....

My son is bright. His reading is good. His maths awful, but so is mine! He is artistic and very communicative. He has a good sense of humour, is kind and empathetic.

He struggles with the social side of life and is isolated. He will be picked on mercilessly in mainstream without specialist provision.

He also has a new diagnosis of OCD (which goes hand in glove with Asperger's I'm told) with Tourettes tendencies.

I never regret pushing for that Statement.

Thank you very much for your replies, I was just worried that having a Statement might cause issues, I think I am scared about 'labelling', but having Aspergers means he is already 'Labelled' and having a statement will be a positive way of ensuring my son gets the help he needs.
My son is also very bright, his reading is brilliant and like aLegonEachCorner he is really struggling at the moment with social side of life and then only at school.

Hopefully if he gets the statement we can keep it annually and it will help us get a place at a suitable secondary school. We do have one that is excellent for special needs,but it is outside of catchment, so maybe the statement will help there? Anyway not to worry about that now he is only Y3, just need to get him settled now.

You can specify the secondary school you want at the Y5 statement review and unless there are funding issues for transport etc (you just pay for it yourself), or it is entirely inappropriate in that the school cannot meet your DS's needs, the LA will most likely agree. Then your DS goes to the top of the admission criteria. There have to be some positives!

My DS is 11 and I could choose the school with the best provision for him. Not always the high achieving posh one, quite often, even if LOs are really bright.

Get a statement. It can only help your DS IMHO.