Residential schools for HFA/Aspergers

[veryjellybelly]

Hi,

I'd be really grateful for some advice regarding DS (aged 10). He has an ASC diagnosis rather than Asperger's but is somewhere thereabouts along the spectrum.

Trouble is that mainstream has always been a challenge, despite 32.5 hours support. He becomes verbally and physically aggressive if anxious/stressed, which seems to becoming more and more regular in the last few months.

To give a bit of background his first school was a disaster, with multiple exclusions up to the point where he was on the brink of being school phobic. We then moved him to the current school which is generally supportive, yet we still have ongoing problems.

He was sent home today (excluded for half a day) after hitting his TA. This is his first exclusion in 2.5 years and I am very concerned that we are at the top of that vicious downwards spiral again.

I just don't know whether mainstream is the right place for DS any more. The problem is that we have no suitable day schools nearby that will cater for both his challenging behaviour and his ability.

So with a heavy heart I am going to start looking at residential schools. Does anyone have any experience or suggestions about any school which may suit my charming, bright, but rather challenging DS?

Thanks for reading.

Have a look at Cambian Education or Priory Group.

You'll have a heart attack at the price though, unless you're going down the tribunal route.

In North Yorks

try this link for something not to far from home :www.schoolsnet.com/uk-schools/best-special-school/top-uk-schools/16180339/0/-5/-1.html

sorry i meant to add this one too

www.oaasis.co.uk/Free_Publications_6/Finding_the_right_school

Sorry to hear of your DS's exclusion. You're doing the right thing by looking at all the potential schooling options.

DS goes to a residential school for AS and he has a similar profile to yours - bright but with challenging behaviour and multiple exclusions. We had to go to tribunal to get funding which was a long fight, but he's settled in well and is doing well there.

You will have to gather evidence to show that none of the local mainstream schools are suitable nor any of the day special schools. Does your son's current school agree that he now needs a specialist placement?

Try searching the Isbi database for schools as a starting point. I agree with Star that Cambian and Priory schools are most likely to fit your son's needs, but the high cost means that the LA will probably fight it.