London schools (near Chelsea) sympathetic to aspegers

[Chelseahandfull]

Very specific question, I am afraid, but does anyone have any thought on schools that would be sympathetic to an aspergers boy? DS2 is in currently in reception, and whilst his current school is happy for him to stay for class 1, I feel we are rather on borrowed time, so want to start looking around for alternatives. We are based in Cheslea. Any thoughts? Want to keep him in mainstream, but don't even know what non mainstream options there are - all the the special/semi-special schools I have spotted are focused on learning difficulties, and this isn't his problem (ie not dys-anything).cc

Or even Aspergers.....

Is http://www.queensmill.lbhf.sch.uk/ a possibility as it is in Fulham so not too far for you and goes all the way to secondary........

It is a state school specifically for children with ASD.

or www.rainbowschool.org.uk/schoolhomepage.html Rainbow School in Wandsworth

Does he have a statement?

Rainbow School in Wandsworth doesn't cater for the aspergers end of the spectrum. It is for children with moderate to severe asd

Ditto Queensmill

:(

Ben really sorry, didn't mean to pour cold water on your suggestions! It's just that those are the only 2 special schools I ever looked at re my ds1, and I know them pretty well. In fact ds will be starting at one of them in September. And I have to say I was initially concerned as he is moderately asd, with moderate learning difficulties, and I thought he may be too high functioning for both of them. On reflection no, one of these schools was the best possible option for him.

Nb rainbow is an ABA school and Queensmill is TEACCH

Not at all Neutral Nora :)....just a shame that neither would be suitable. Pleased you have found a suitable school for your DS1

Thanks very much chaps - will look into these nonetheless. He isn't statemented. school have started the process,and he has a private diagnosis (which I am still processing myself, IYSWIM - not sure whether I am in denial or if I have valid hesitations . had an NHS AS assessment nearly a month ago, but am still awaiting feedback.

At the moment I think he belongs in mainstream but in a supportive/sympathetic environment (is currently at a small independent who are giving somewhat mixed signals about their medium term willingness to keep him), but this may prove impractical (will anyone want him?) or indeed if the gap widens during class 1, inappropriate. So I want to get my research well in hand for all eventualities.

Have you tried Roche School in Wandsworth? It is an independent school, with a good reputation for special needs. We were considering it for our son, but the travelling time would be too much for us.

Chelsea - I know you hear a lot of bad and terrible stories on here. But it's not all like that.

We moved from one state school to another one, because the first one couldn't cope with DS. But the second one is brilliant, and can absolutely cope with him.

So I would look round all your state schools, talk to the SENCOs and HTs and see if you like any of them.

You don't want to go to one with lots of other ASD kids, but one that does have experience......