Remember that family with 2 sons with ASD who moved to remote Scottish island?

[Davros]

They were on TV a year or more ago. This is the latest in their story, it ends rather abruptly but I can't find any more. Its very sad. I couldn't see how a move from an urban area with many more choices to a very remote place with very little would work but I don't think I actually watched the whole programme so didn't get the full story.
here

Yes I remember this story. It's sad to see how it turned out but I felt it was kind of inevitable given the problems that they had to deal with.

I have to say I was really surprised when they moved to the Shetlands, having lived on a remote island myself I know how hard it is to get access to medical and specialist care, and that's with NT children.

That's a sad tale. I bet they are kicking themselves they ever moved out of Cheshire since it seems it's since that point things fell apart.

That's desperately sad. We often consider moving, but it terrifies me that it'll be a case of out of the frying pan into the fire with respect to dd's needs being met. At present the care offered is generally good - it could be better but it could be sooo much worse.

DD will always be a very strong factor in where we move to - if at all.

didn't see the original programme, but wonder if it was a little unrealistic to up sticks, move to the middle of nowhere, and then expect the local council to build tailor-made facilities for him...

Oh how sad. I liked that programme- I thought it was very real- it really reflected our life (a lot of people said Jacob reminded them of ds1). I was a bit worried reading the article though- were they saying SS won't fund residential placements close to home? (I'm skim reading a bit as I'm giving ds3 a bottle). When ds1 finally goes into residential care it has to be close to home.

That is sad. I remember programme.

Baka My friend works in residential SLD care,the main problem(according to her) is far too many people after so few places. She says that many either end up unsuitable placements or back at home with mum and dad. Best to have an idea of what is available a long time in advance and make sure that you are well known.

Yeah, I don't think they WON'T fund residential near home, its just a matter of what's available, getting a place etc. I've looked at a couple of residential schools, one near Stafford which was a long journey as we went by car and the other in Doncaster, you might think. But Doncaster was actually more doable due to good train service. Anyway, we're not pursuing it for now but I'm on the trail well in advance as usual!

I thought they were mad to leave an urban area of any sort as there are just more choices, more people, more everything. If you don't like what's available you can sometimes "be creative" and mostly, what's available turns out to be suitable because it has to be! I think moving to a remote island may not have been taking the other kids into account enough either, but who knows, there but for the grace.....

We would never leave the borough we are in unless something drastic goes wrong.

Didn't see the TV prog behind this sad story but I think a move to Shetland was bad advice. It's such a remote area that some NT children in mainstream secondary level have to board because of the distances involved; pg women with complications and anyone with a more difficult medical condition has to go to Aberdeen for specialist care.

Actually, I wonder if the family has considered the Aberdeen area? I don't know about state provision but there are a couple of Camphill schools in the area which do a lot of good work.

Is camphill suitable for severe autism (I ask with interest in our situation btw). I always got the impression people had to be pretty high functioning to be able to cope in their (excellent) communities. Are the schools different? We have some communities near us- I would love ds1 to be able to end up somewhere like that, but I suspect he won't be independent enough.

Oh, gosh, I don't know that much about them, JJ, except what I read in the local papers. The Camphill schools here have recently run a massive campaign, which they won, to prevent a new road being built through their grounds, mainly based on the damage it would do to the autistic people they care for.

This is the Camphill Aberdeen website and although I know your ds is still small, Beannachar might be of general interest to you, as well. Easter Anguston which is nearby, also provides for older children/adults, though I think they tend towards Downs Syndome. Hth.

Thanks suedonium- very interesting- I think there was a recent TV prog about a community. They are lovely, and if ds1 ever developed enough independence I'd love him to go somewhere like that.

Unfortunately (for the family on the TV programme, I think their sons needs were too complex for Camphill schools. I do feel sad it didn't work for them.