Just filled in Aide Memoire of DS2's history

[CuriousMama]

It really hit home how many problems he has in life? Hopefully once his SCAT team get going he'll get the help he needs?

I asked the nurse about statmenting and she said the school deals with that. I'll have a word with his teacher, she's the SENCO co-ordinator too so should be able to help? If not I'll apply myself.

It's sounding like he definitely has asperger's.

Statementing

I've written so many words today think I have brain freeze!

Curiousmama,

You'd be far better off applying for the statement yourself. Don't let the school do it. This is for two reasons; one you know its been done then (schools can sit on such apps for ages without doing anything) and two you as parent can appeal in the event the LEA say no to statutory assessment (school cannot do that).

Use IPSEA's website www.ipsea.org.uk for model letters you can use. You will need to write to the Chief Education Officer at your LEA and give this lot six weeks to reply (mark that date on your calendar).

Thanks Attila I'll do that.

It does hit home when you are filling in all the negatives :( Kind of slaps you in the face a bit.

Keep fixed in your head this is only to get him the help he needs in life and at school and nothing else. Your DS is still handsome, charming, much loved and above all trusts his mum to help him along the way xx

Agree with Atilla start statement yourself it takes months to get to the end of it so earlier start the better :)

Had a look. If I apply for this may he be sent to a SN school? He is average academically and managing well that way, got 3s and 4 in his SATS mocks and has improved since them. He goes to comprehensive in September.

If you can get a statement, it should really help with transition to High School.
I doubt very much they will send him to a special school, just.... Hopefully.... Provide the support he needs within his school.
Good luck.
We are in the process of applying for a statement for our 4 year old daughter.

Thanks Moomoomie and good luck to you too.

If he's getting 3s and 4s in his SATs (pretty much average to slightly below average) they won't be sending him to a SS unless his behaviour is extremely challenging, ie it adversely affects the learning of others to a very large degree. Supporting him adequately in MS is much cheaper and LAs preferred route, if you can even get that. Also, you get some choice yourself, if you prefer him to go to mainstream, that's the most likely outcome.

Get that letter off, tell the school and copy them in out of politeness, but don't let them delay you.

My DS2 is in Y7 at secondary with a statement and is being very well supported. It can be a tricky transition. Indigo Bell has a transition support thread going, I'll try to link it later.

Ah, it's not really got going, but here it is anyway.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/1418318-Starting-Secondary-School-Thread

Thanks EJ. I rang his teacher and mentioned the statementing. She said she'll look at the report then write it? She said the comp will get money next year not this year as it's too late. I'll keep on at her and if she doesn't do anything I'll just write.

DS2 is really keen to go to the comp as ds1 is there (yr 9) and they're very close. The main worry for me is him getting there as it's hard to get on the school bus even if we pay. ds1 is on it now and I pay £87 per half term for his pass.

It takes at least 6 months to get a statement. So your primary school won't see any benefit, but if you leave it until Sept you won't get one until next March at the earliest. That's why you shouldn't hold off. It would be great to start off in secondary with some support, or at least early on.

My DS1 and DS2 go to the same school, too. It's £15 a week each for the bus. (gulp) And it's caused the most problems for DS2 so far, with no supervision except the driver. It's fine on the way to school, they are fairly quiet and subdued but the trip home is difficult, DS2 gets 'stressy' in DS1's words and attracts the wrong sort of attention.

Oh no EJ that's awful about the bus. Your poor ds2

It'll be almost £180 for the 2 of them every 3 months and no idea how I'm going to afford it? Doesn't sound like I'll be entitled to any benefit for ds2 but this was already a problem before we heard of the autism. The only school with a free bus isn't one we'd send dss too anyway. Rough is putting it mildly! I may have to bite the bulet and get driving again. Dp works nights and gets in at 8.30 so I could just make it.

There's always something to worry about isn't there?

bullet keys are sticky as ds2 keeps eating whilst on here.