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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

How do you decide which school is best?

5 replies

zen1 · 01/04/2012 18:41

DS3 is due to start school in Sept 2013, so we have been advised to start looking round at schools now. I really don't know whether he'd be better off in a MS or a SN school. He is currently awaiting an ADOS (seems like we've been waiting foreverHmm) and most of the professionals he's been involved with seem to think it likely he'll get an ASD diagnosis. He currently attends both a SN and a MS pre-school and does get a lot from copying other children. I think socially he'd get more out of a MS school, but academically, he really needs 1to 1 as he finds it difficult to follow instructions and learns much more quickly if someone is talking directly to him, if that makes sense. We've been told we're unlikely to get a statement as they've all but got rid of them in our area (we're one of the 2 areas in the country piloting Pupil Resource Agreements which are not legally enforceable but which are allocated to children deemed needing extra support in schools). Our borough has upped the criteria for those they grant statements to , so hardly anyone gets one.

I am finding it really hard to make a decision, as his brothers are settled in school (which I already have to take a bus to get to as I don't drive), so I don't really want to move them. I thought I'd know what was best for DS3 but I don't.

OP posts:
vjg13 · 01/04/2012 18:57

Visit all the options around you even in the surrounding leas and see if you can see an older version of him. You will see where he will best 'fit' IYKWIM. It will also give you ideas of what you do and don't want in a school.

I would also try and get a statement. Good luckSmile

WilsonFrickett · 01/04/2012 19:09

Visit everywhere, speak to the HTs because it's amazing the impact they have on schools. Do you have an autism support group near you? Even without a DX you can still get advice from other parents.

And I would still go for a statement. 'We're not doing them' is one of the things routinely said to put parents off applying for them, unfortunately.

Gottalovecosta · 01/04/2012 19:25

Agree, go and visit. My DS is in reception year in MS but is not coping at all. I didn't know if keeping him in MS was best or going for a SS, in the end we went and looked round. We found 'the school' (a SS) and pushed for a statement and we're hoping he starts in September.

zen1 · 01/04/2012 22:09

Thank you. I intend to start visiting schools after Easter, but feel limited because even if I did find "the one", it would have to be pretty local as I can't be in 2 places at once (other kids will still be too young to go to school on their own) when it comes to drop off / pick up. I will try for the statement too. Not looking forward to all this after reading people's experiences on here!

OP posts:
vjg13 · 01/04/2012 22:37

Would your son be able to get home to school transport as he isn't able to access the local school?

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