ADHD specialist schools ?

[tunbridgewellsmum]

Hoping you lot of experienced and wonderful mumsnetters can help me..

I have an 11 year old son with ADHD (and dyslexia). Was diagnosed in 2007 - all the usual problems, hyperactivity, attention span of literally seconds, inappropriate behaviour, no impulse control, sleep and eating issues etc etc.. the list goes on. It's pretty exhausting to be honest And getting worse/more apparent as he gets older. He's also dyslexic, but that is a side issue to the ADHD. He's not currently on ADHD medication.. have tried everything and side effects vile... although may retry something soon.

We are currently in the process of going to tribunal to get a statement (using a solicitor) and also to re-consider his current school situation. Also getting more up to date EP and also OP and SALT reports (which we've not had done before).

He's currently in a mainstream comprehensive in year 7, but we are considering all options of private and specialist schools, but also keeping him at his current school with a statement/TA support etc. Don't really know what to do to for the best... 2 local private schools (one of which specialises in dyslexia) have both said they don't think they 'can meet his needs'..

Does anyone have any recommendations of specialist ADHD schools in London/Kent/Sussex or experience of this situation?

Not sure if keeping him in mainstream education but getting support of a TA is the answer or finding the right school that can cope with him.

Your thoughts would be much appreciated. Many thanks

There's an independent specialist school in Rochester for children with social communication difficulties - you would need a statement to access it though. Blue Skies School

5 minutes up the road from me! Right next to the park! Actually right opposite it, there is also Trinity School which covers the dyslexia and also social and communication difficulties - not sure about the ADHD bit again. Doesn't look like you need a statement, just a recent EP assessment.

Yes, Trinity close to me too - they may take a child with ADHD, but not if they have behavioural difficulties as far as I'm aware. It is a lovely school by all accounts though.

You must live on my doorstep Ben10! Blue Skies will be moving to Maidstone Road soon though as they've just bought/rented a big building which was previously a chiropractor's business.......

Ooh, that will be a lovely site for them (apart from the traffic that is!)

Indeed. I believe they are pleased about it (I have inside information)! Yes, traffic can be a bit heavy there, but usually outside rush hour. <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=farm6.static.flickr.com/5230/5631898705_74f22f6b52.jpg&imgrefurl=www.flickr.com/photos/54074130%40N07/5631898705/&usg=__GJk4T1SDNBBf_O7cMjtD3VO-Eqc=&h=333&w=500&sz=62&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=hb9zVEkMKC6WyM:&tbnh=109&tbnw=145&ei=hKb3TZCiI4-KhQftwJiPCw&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dthomas%2Bwaghorn%2Bstatue%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7ACAW_en%26biw%3D1076%26bih%3D502%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=141&page=1&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0&tx=82&ty=68" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> from my doorstep too

oops - meant not outside rush hour!

I want to climb up put the cone him on one day but I'm usually busy going [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/40/ChathamA2LutonArches2784.JPG round the houses]]

gaaah round the houses

Sorry TWmum - we digressed, but both schools are probably worth a look!

All councils do have maintained schools for Emotional and Behavioural problems. I am very surprised that your son has not had a Statement for ADHD, and I would think that, maybe, your son does not have a firm diagnosis of ADHD. Getting a diagnosis, contrary to popular opinion, is extremely difficult - in my county they only diagnose one child per year, although hundreds of parents take their suspected ADHD children to the paediatrician annually. You should check the diagnosis, and establish that it does not say 'Features of ADHD'. If it does then you do not have a firm diagnosis, but something of lesser value (take it up with the doctor). One word of warning - if your child is sent to a specialist school he will be subjected to unacceptable levels of abuse and violence. These schools may have a fancy name, but they are merely the latest form of the old Reform Schools, which we all know were shut down many years ago for breeding violent criminals. You may think you have problems now, but when the police and Social Services begin calling in the middle of the night (because you have, according to the school, unjustly complained) then you will feel differently about these Dickensian prisons.

thats not true bikewoman if your child goes to a specialist school he will be subjected to unacceptable levels of abuse and violence what a disparaging remark to make many dcs in this country do go to specialist schools and actually have no violence whatsoever in them compared to being bullied daily by pupils and verbally abused by staff daily not all the schools are "old school reform types either besides if hes adhd he doesnt have to go to an ESBD school there are specific schools out there for adhd and dyspraxia thats whole post is way over the top, I gather from bikewoman she or someone she kknows went to a terrible esbd school but the local one to me which i viewed and my nearest school that covered children with a range of special needs from asd, pdd, adhd , dyspraxia, dyslexia was the most wonderful school id ever stepped into my ds goes to a SS for ASD, social and communication difficulties and its wonderful the staff are lovely dedicated CALM and cheerful and the children are all happy and big smiles when you visit so that was a totally ill informed sweeping statement , and i feel unfair to put on here in the way you have done because your doing other Mnrs with dcs with SEN a disservice by putting them off even looking, obviously you need OP* to look into all types of schools and settings including MS to see what you can find but visit them all and you may well be pleasently surprised DS'S school is calm and happy as the children are well cared and catered for with individuality in mind so they do not have the same day to day stresses and uncertainty they get in ms and bullyng ect doesnt occur as everyones in a similar boat

this school is one that i was talking about tunbridgewellsmum its fantastic ive viewed it and also have a friend whos DD goes there ...www.furzedown.bucks.sch.uk/section.asp?i=3

bikewoman I can see from your other post that your dc has had an awful time of it at the school you mention.

"I am very surprised that your son has not had a Statement for ADHD, and I would think that, maybe, your son does not have a firm diagnosis of ADHD." Mine has had a firm diagnosis from three seperate specialists (i dont like to leave anything to chance ) and he does not have a statment. There are a million reasons for not giving out a statement including if the school they are attending are already meeting the childs needs, or they were in private education, or the school (usually primary) couldnt be bothered to apply.

Some children do not have the choice on attending a "special school" - if they get kicked out of enough mainstream schools this is often the only option.

Please do not tar all special schools with the same brush - just because you have had a bad experience doesnt mean every school is like that, I feel for you as you are obviously hurting at the moment but please remember that comments like he will be subjected to unacceptable levels of abuse and violence. will scare the living daylights out of any parents with children with SN and could persuade parents to not consider the very place which may be the most beneficial.

bikewoman my son also goes to a special school for asd and challenging behaviours putting him in there was the best thing we could have done for him. The place is very quiet and calm and he gets the attention he needs I think it is unfair to put people off what might be the best thing for their child.

bikewoman-Id like for you to share with us the County you are in. If the Psychiatrists are only dx one dc a year, something is VERY wrong, and parents should be complaining to the PCT in droves. Yes, it is not an easy dx, and contary to popular belief ADHD is still Underdiagnosed in this Country, but, ONE dc a year-come on!
Also your statement re Specialist Schools is sweeping, ill-informed and scare-mongering. Im sorry if you have had a bad experience but not all schools are the same.
Op, there are Specialist Independant Schools that are for dc who for various reasons cannot cope with Mainstream Schooling-inc.ADHD. These are funded by the LA so you will have to fight your corner to get your ds into one. But, he could do well, as class sizes are very small, with high staff/pupil ratio, and while the main curriculm is followed, the dcs social/emotional needs are also catered for.
There are also Residential schools but again, you would need LA funding. I dont know if you definately need a Statement, but it would help. So, would backing from your ds Psychiatrist, if he/she can say that the enviromment would best suit your ds needs.
I would advise against Private, as many are concerned with academic achievement above SEN. Some will say they accept SEN but then do not put in appropriate support. There was a thread about a week ago in SN,(I think), about a parent with a ds with ADHD in Private School, who was looking to place him elsewhere, as he was not being supported despite the school saying on paper to have and follow SEN Guidelines.
The best thing is to ask for Prospectus and visit the schools and see the teaching methods and pupils for yourself and see where your ds will be happiest.

Great to hear others' problems. I have a ten year old son who also has ADHD and dislexia, who has been statemented. I am struggling to get real interest from the local council to get him into a special needs school rather than just extra help within a "normal" school. can anyone offer me specific, practical advise please?